Alanis Morissette Identifies as Pansexual and Rebuts Ben Affleck

Alanis Morissette publicly identified as pansexual during a November 3 episode of the “Handsome“podcast, confirming her attraction to people regardless of their gender identity or sex. The singer name-dropped her former”Dogma” co-star, Ben Affleck, during her Los Angeles residency while listing comments people have made about her, including a remark about her sexuality.

The singer, 52, made the admission after co-host Fortune Feimster asked if her history of difficult relationships with men had ever made her “want to be a lesbian at any point,” to which Morissette replied, “I’m pansexual, so, yeah.” When co-host Tig Notaro questioned if she was “really pansexual,” Morissette confirmed, “I am.” During the conversation, Notaro suggested that the singer should have led the podcast episode with the confession, prompting Morissette to joke, “I like to leave it for the epilogue.” She further quipped, “I like to confuse people on the way out.” Feimster acknowledged the singer’s musical legacy during the exchange, telling her, “I’m sorry for the men that hurt you, but I’m not sorry for the songs that came from it.”

Confronting Ben Affleck in Los Angeles

While listing past criticisms she has faced, the singer directly referenced her 1999 “Dogma” co-star Ben Affleck.

I’ve even had a guy ask me why I didn’t lead with my sexuality. Thank you, Ben Affleck.

Alanis Morissette, singer

Following the comment, Morissette played a clip from the Kevin Smith-directed film showing the character Bartleby—played by the 54-year-old actor—experiencing an exploding head death scene. Morissette, who played the role of God, utilized the footage as a visual rebuttal.

The film, a fantasy comedy, also featured a prominent ensemble cast, including Matt Damon as Loki, Alan Rickman as Metatron, Chris Rock as Rufus, Salma Hayek as Serendipity, Jason Lee as Azrael, and George Carlin as Cardinal Ignatius Glick.

Context of the Sexuality Remarks

In a 2008 interview with The Advocate, she said that “it’s a beautiful rite of passage for everyone to play with their sexuality at some point,” describing her own experiences as “great.” She added that she had felt love from the gay community since she was young, noting that many of her early friends were part of that community. “It was very pleasant.”

Fans and Critics React to the Concert Moment

The concert moment drew polarized reactions online. Social media users flooded comment sections, with some fans joking, “God doesn’t have sexuality, Ben,” while others praised the singer for the confrontation. Conversely, some audience members labeled the moment as attention-seeking, particularly given the decades that have passed since the film’s release.

Morissette, a music icon whose 1995 album topped the Billboard 200 and earned multiple Grammy Awards, has remained a fixture in the industry. Her professional history includes work with various high-profile figures, and her personal life has frequently been a subject of public interest. Before her marriage to husband Mario “Souleye” Treadway in 2010, she was linked to figures such as Dave Coulier and Ryan Reynolds.

Regarding the tension with Affleck, some observers suggested that if the two were to cross paths now, they could potentially resolve the matter, noting that with where the actor is in his life, he might offer an apology. As of the latest reports, Affleck has not publicly responded to the concert clip or the singer’s comments.