Alanis Morissette sues former manager over drug extortion
In a dramatic legal battle that mixes celebrity drama with serious criminal accusations, singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette has launched a lawsuit against her former tour manager, Keren Urinov, alleging extortion and fraud.
The legal action, filed in Los Angeles federal court, centers on claims that Urinov attempted to blackmail Morissette into falsely implicating herself in serious airport drug possession and trafficking allegations.
The core of the dispute involves events that unfolded while Morissette was on the road for her 2025 European tour. Urinov was reportedly flagged and detained during travel across Europe, including a stop at a UK airport and subsequent transit through Spain.
During these stops, Urinov allegedly attempted to claim ownership of substances, including marijuana and xylazine, which is used as an animal tranquilizer. She reportedly told border officials that the drugs belonged to her, claiming she had been arrested previously for smuggling drugs.
As the tour continued, the situation escalated. Urinov allegedly leveraged these claims to threaten Morissette, sending increasingly extortionate letters. The threats involved holding Morissette hostage unless she cooperated with British law enforcement and provided testimony that the drugs were Urinov’s.
The former manager allegedly presented a deal: if Morissette would cooperate, Urinov offered a 15-year, full-time employment contract, including substantial compensation, annual raises, bonuses, and access to an immigration lawyer to secure US work authorization.
Morissette reportedly refused this offer, firmly rejecting the notion of working with what she viewed as a blackmailer. She also pointed to other reasons for her refusal, claiming that Urinov had overseen the 2025 tour manager duties incompetently and had caused Morissette financial losses, including a hotel booking mistake estimated at $70,000 USD.
Morissette’s lawsuit seeks substantial compensation, aiming to recover over $75,000, alongside a jury trial and a punitive fine against Urinov. The case highlights the volatile intersection of high-profile careers, alleged criminal activity, and the intense financial stakes involved in the music industry.
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