Alanis Morissette became one of music’s top stars with her album Jagged Little Pill, but she faced frightening hostility behind her success, including threats on her life. Morissette shared her experiences on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast, discussing the backlash she faced after her 1995 album made her famous.

“There was terror and resistance, but that’s just normal,” Morissette mentioned regarding the reaction to her lead single “You Oughta Know.” The hostility extended beyond criticism, reaching a chilling level.

“There was a lot of hate,” she told Alex Cooper, the podcast host. She recalled websites that were created to plan her murder. She also faced harsh criticism from fellow musicians like Courtney Love and Sinéad O’Connor. Over time, both apologized for their comments.

Decades later, Morissette views the reaction differently, likening it to the jealousy directed toward Taylor Swift today. She suggests this backlash reflects a ‘scarcity mindset’ that implies only one woman can be at the top.

Morissette’s career began early with performances on the Canadian children’s show “You Can’t Do That on Television.” Initially, she found success in Canada as a dance-pop singer. However, Jagged Little Pill dramatically changed her career trajectory.

The 1995 album topped the Billboard 200, earned multiple Grammy Awards, and solidified her status as a music icon. Morissette received Grammy Awards for Album of the Year and Best Rock Album, while “You Oughta Know” won Best Rock Song and Best Female Rock Vocal Performance. She was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2026.