Alanis Morissette has sued her former tour manager, alleging the woman threatened to accuse her of drug trafficking unless the singer agreed to employ her for 15 years and provide substantial compensation.
Filed Tuesday in federal court in Los Angeles, the lawsuit names Keren Urinov and accuses her of civil extortion, fraud and negligent misrepresentation. The dispute allegedly grew out of a 2025 airport drug detention involving Urinov while she was working as a temporary manager on Morissette's European tour.
According to the complaint, Morissette and members of her touring party were preparing to fly from Farnborough Airport in the United Kingdom to Spain in July 2025 when British Border Force officials flagged a bag belonging to Urinov for inspection. A seizure notice allegedly identified marijuana and xylazine among its contents.
Urinov told border officers that the bag and everything in it belonged to her and showed them an Israeli medical marijuana license, the lawsuit states. She was released without charges. When she returned to the United Kingdom the following day, border officials allegedly detained her for additional questioning, and Morissette claims Urinov again acknowledged that the bag and suspected drugs were hers.
The dispute escalated after the tour ended. Morissette alleges Urinov and an attorney representing her began sending letters threatening litigation and demanding that the singer tell British authorities the drugs actually belonged to her.
The complaint further alleges Urinov demanded a 15-year employment agreement that included substantial compensation, annual raises and bonuses. She also allegedly wanted Morissette to pay for an immigration attorney to help secure a U.S. work visa.
After Morissette rejected the demands, Urinov's attorney allegedly sent another letter indicating that Urinov could report the singer to British authorities for drug trafficking and pursue litigation unless she agreed to the requested employment and compensation.
That alleged threat forms the basis of Morissette's civil extortion claim, which argues Urinov sought employment and financial benefits by threatening a criminal accusation.
Separate fraud and negligent misrepresentation claims stem from allegations that Urinov failed to disclose a previous drug-related arrest in Ecuador before working for Morissette. The lawsuit states Morissette would not have hired her had that information been disclosed.
The filing also alleges Urinov made a hotel booking error during the 2025 tour that cost nearly $70,000.
In explaining her decision to sue, Morissette says she was concerned that publicly addressing the dispute could damage her reputation. Her attorneys characterize the threatened allegations as false and claim she went to court after refusing Urinov's proposed terms.
Morissette is seeking more than $75,000 in compensatory damages, as well as punitive damages and other relief, and has requested a jury trial.
Urinov filed a separate claim against Morissette in the U.K. High Court on Aug. 19, before the federal lawsuit was filed in California. Details of her allegations in that case have not been made public.
Both cases remain pending.
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