Alanis Morissette has initiated legal action against her former tour manager, accusing her of engaging in an orchestrated blackmail scheme to falsely implicate Morissette in drug trafficking unless the singer agreed to a long-term contractual arrangement. The lawsuit, filed in California and obtained by CBC News, alleges that Keren Urinov threatened to report Morissette to British authorities for drug trafficking unless Morissette hired her as a tour director for 15 years and provided substantial compensation.
Morissette has brought forth claims of civil extortion, fraud, and negligent misrepresentation against Urinov, asserting that she will not succumb to coercion and is taking legal measures to expose Urinov’s scheme and hold her accountable.
The incident unfolded in 2025 when Urinov, previously associated with Live Nation’s Israeli operations, was hired as a temporary tour manager for Morissette’s global tour. During a trip from the U.K. to Spain for a concert, a bag owned by Urinov was flagged by British authorities at the airport, leading to her temporary arrest for alleged possession of marijuana and xylazine, a non-opioid animal tranquilizer. Urinov later admitted ownership of the bag and drugs but was subsequently released after showing her Israeli medical marijuana license.
Following the tour’s conclusion, Urinov purportedly sent a series of threatening letters to Morissette and her legal team, demanding a fixed 15-year contract with substantial compensation and other benefits, including assistance with obtaining a work visa for the United States.
The lawsuit also highlights instances where Morissette felt Urinov inadequately managed the tour, citing significant financial expenditures due to a booking error and undisclosed past legal issues involving drug smuggling. Morissette asserts that the revelations about Urinov’s past criminal activities were not disclosed during the hiring process and were cause for concern.
Morissette, described as hesitant but compelled to take legal action, is seeking a trial by jury to address the alleged misconduct. Attempts to reach Urinov and Morissette’s representatives for comment have not been successful.