Rock n Roll
Alanis Morissette Takes Aim at Ben Affleck Over ‘Sexuality’ Remark: ‘Thank You, Ben Affleck’
Alanis Morissette has publicly called out Ben Affleck during a Los Angeles concert, revisiting an uncomfortable exchange from their time working together on the 1999 film Dogma. The singer used her latest stage appearance to reflect on the criticism she faced during the peak of her fame, including a remark she says Affleck made about her sexuality.
The moment came during Alanis Morissette’s residency, Butterfly With a Machete, at the YouTube Theater in Inglewood, California. While speaking about the personal and professional judgments she experienced throughout her career, the singer recalled that a man had once questioned why she did not make her sexuality a more prominent part of her public identity.
“I’ve even had a guy ask me why I didn’t lead with my sexuality,” Morissette told the audience, before adding, “Thank you, Ben Affleck.”
The remark prompted laughter from the crowd. A scene from Dogma then appeared on the screen behind her, showing Ben Affleck’s character, Bartleby, suffering an explosive end. In the 1999 Kevin Smith film, Alanis Morissette played God, while Ben Affleck portrayed a fallen angel.
Alanis Morissette Revisits Her Difficult Years in the Spotlight
Morissette’s comments formed part of a broader reflection on the intense scrutiny she experienced after becoming an international star with her 1995 album Jagged Little Pill.
The singer described facing criticism about almost every aspect of her identity, from her music and appearance to her body, weight, personal relationships and approach to parenting. She also recalled being judged for how she thought, felt, and lived.
Her account suggested that the pressure extended well beyond music reviews or celebrity gossip. Morissette said the scrutiny affected her personal life and included judgments about whom she loved.
The singer did not provide further details about the exchange with Affleck or specify when the conversation took place. Representatives for the actor were contacted for comment, but no response had been received at the time of publication.
Johnny Depp, Joni Mitchell and Other Celebrities Also Mentioned
Ben Affleck was not the only famous name to feature in Alanis Morissette’s recollections. The singer also described an unsuccessful attempt to find friendship and support from actor Johnny Depp during a difficult period.
“I did call Johnny Depp at one point, and his response was, ‘Why are you calling me?’” she recalled, explaining that she had been looking for a friend.
Morissette also said she felt unsupported by some of the women whose work she admired. She named Joni Mitchell, Sinéad O’Connor, Tori Amos, and Courtney Love, alongside musician Billy Corgan, as examples of public criticism she said she experienced during the 1990s.
She described the music industry of that period as intensely competitive, arguing that female artists were often made to feel they were fighting for a single position at the top.
“The sisterhood I so badly needed was truly nonexistent in the ’90s,” she said, adding that women were pitted against one another rather than encouraged to support each other.
However, Morissette also remembered musicians who treated her kindly. She singled out Elliott Smith and Tupac Shakur as two artists who offered her support during that period.
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Singer Recently Revealed She Identifies as Pansexual
The remarks about Ben Affleck have attracted additional attention because Alanis Morissette recently spoke openly about her sexuality on the Handsome podcast.
During the November 3 episode, the singer revealed that she identifies as pansexual. The disclosure came after co-host Fortune Feimster jokingly asked whether difficult experiences with men had ever made Morissette consider being a lesbian.
“I’m pansexual, so yeah,” Morissette responded, later adding, “I get everything.”
She also joked that she preferred saving the revelation for the end of the conversation rather than introducing herself with it.
Morissette, who married musician Mario “Souleye” Treadway in 2010, has previously discussed aspects of her sexuality in interviews, including a 2008 appearance on The Howard Stern Show.
Her latest comments offer another glimpse into the experiences behind the public image she built during the Jagged Little Pill era. They also revisit a period when female musicians faced intense media attention and scrutiny over both their work and private lives.
With her Butterfly With a Machete residency now concluding after its final scheduled performance on November 11, Morissette has used the stage to revisit experiences that shaped her career.
