Alanis Morissette has initiated legal action against her former tour manager, accusing her of engaging in a deliberate blackmail scheme to implicate Morissette in drug trafficking unless she agreed to a long-term contract. 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 is suing Urinov for civil extortion, fraud, and negligent misrepresentation, asserting that she will not succumb to the demands of her blackmailer and has taken legal action to expose the scheme and hold Urinov accountable.
The incident unfolded in July 2025 when Urinov, previously employed by Live Nation’s Israeli operations, was serving as a temporary tour manager for Morissette’s global tour. At an airport while traveling from the U.K. to Spain for a concert, British authorities detained Urinov after discovering a bag allegedly containing marijuana and xylazine, a non-opioid animal tranquilizer. Urinov claimed ownership of the bag, presented her Israeli medical marijuana license, and was subsequently released.
Following the tour’s conclusion, Urinov and her legal team allegedly sent a series of threatening letters to Morissette, demanding a 15-year contract with substantial compensation and other benefits. The lawsuit contends that Urinov also insisted on immigration assistance for working in the United States, with escalating demands if the initial requests were not met.
Additionally, the lawsuit highlights instances where Morissette found Urinov to be a subpar tour manager, citing financial mishaps and previous criminal activities undisclosed during the hiring process. Morissette expressed reluctance in pursuing legal action but felt compelled to do so to prevent being coerced into a long-term arrangement with an untrustworthy individual.
Morissette is seeking a trial by jury in this matter. Requests for comments from Urinov and Morissette’s representatives have not been responded to as of yet.