Alanis Morissette has filed a lawsuit against her former tour manager, alleging a “calculated blackmail campaign” involving threats to implicate the singer in a drug trafficking case. The You Oughta Know singer filed the complaint on September 1, 2026, in a Los Angeles federal court, naming her 2025 tour manager, Keren Urinov, as the defendant. Morissette is suing for civil extortion, fraud, and negligent misrepresentation, and is seeking more than $75,000 in damages.
The seven-time Grammy winner claims that Urinov orchestrated the scheme after being detained at a U.K. airport over a bag containing marijuana and xylazine, a non-opioid animal tranquilizer. According to the lawsuit, Urinov is threatening to report Morissette to British authorities for drug trafficking unless she agrees to employ her for 15 years and pay her “massive compensation.” The singer stated she has “no choice” but to sue, and “will not agree to work with an incompetent blackmailer for the next fifteen years or pay her a ransom under the gun.”
The lawsuit, which also names Urinov as a “disgruntled” former employee, alleges that the situation began with an incident at Farnborough Airport in the U.K. on July 12, 2025. While the tour was traveling to Spain for a concert, the British Border Force flagged Urinov’s bag for inspection and allegedly found marijuana and xylazine. The complaint states that Urinov admitted the bag belonged to her, showed authorities her Israeli medical marijuana license, and was released.
However, following the tour’s conclusion, the lawsuit claims that Urinov and her attorney began sending a “series of increasingly extortionate letters.” In these communications, Urinov is accused of threatening to sue Morissette in the U.K. and report her for drug trafficking unless she complied with demands.
According to the filing, the demands included a fixed-term, full-time employment contract for 15 years as a tour director, with a salary including annual increases and bonuses. The lawsuit also alleges that Urinov demanded that Morissette arrange for a work visa that would allow her to work in the U.S.
The airport incident is central to the singer’s legal claims. The complaint details that Morissette hired Urinov as a temporary tour manager for her 2025 world tour. The alleged drug seizure occurred when the team was traveling from the U.K. to Spain.
According to the lawsuit, when the bag was seized, Urinov initially admitted to the British Border Force that the bag and its contents, including the drugs, belonged to her. The filing states that when the tour group re-entered the U.K. the next day, Urinov was detained for further questioning and again told authorities the drugs were hers. The complaint claims Urinov used the incident as leverage to attempt to force Morissette into a long-term employment contract.
The core of the lawsuit revolves around the allegations of blackmail and extortion. The complaint describes a “calculated blackmail campaign” where Urinov and her attorney allegedly communicated that the singer could put “an end to the matter” by employing Urinov for 15 years. If Morissette refused, Urinov allegedly threatened to “file a patently frivolous lawsuit” in the U.K. and report her for drug trafficking.
Morissette states in the lawsuit that she refused the demands, not only because of the alleged blackmail but also because she claims Urinov was a poor manager. The complaint cites a hotel booking error made by Urinov that allegedly cost Morissette $70,000.
“Morissette will not be coerced into delivering her blackmailer an extraordinary payday,” the lawsuit states. “She sues to expose Urinov’s scheme and hold her accountable.”
In the lawsuit, Morissette is requesting a trial by jury and compensatory damages “of an amount in excess of $75,000.” The suit also seeks punitive damages, as well as other relief “as the Court deems just and proper.”
Keren Urinov is a former executive who headed Live Nation’s Israeli operations for nine years. She was hired by Morissette in 2025 to temporarily manage the singer’s summer tour. According to Morissette’s court filing, Urinov is a “disgruntled” former employee.
An attorney for Urinov has responded to the allegations, stating that his client “totally rejects any allegation of blackmail.” The attorney, Mark Lewis of Patron Law, said in a statement to Page Six that Urinov “is only aware that defensive proceedings in the US have been issued against her from contacts by the media” and that she has not been formally served with the lawsuit.
“We are content to let the Court determine what happened rather than trying to concoct a false narrative,” the attorney said, adding that Urinov “will adduce the evidence that shows the truth about Ms Morissette’s actions.”
In August, before Morissette filed her lawsuit, Urinov filed her own claim against the singer in London’s King Bench Division. The details of that claim have not yet been made public.
Morissette is pursuing three primary legal claims against Urinov: civil extortion, fraud, and negligent misrepresentation. These are allegations contained in a civil lawsuit and have not been established as proven facts in a court of law.
The legal battle is in its early stages. Urinov has not yet been served with the U.S. lawsuit and has indicated she will defend against the allegations. The existence of Urinov’s previously filed claim in London adds a layer of complexity to the case. As a civil proceeding, the case is expected to move through the discovery phase, where evidence is exchanged, and could eventually go to trial unless a settlement is reached or a judge dismisses it.
Why is Alanis Morissette suing her former tour manager?
Alanis Morissette is suing her former tour manager, Keren Urinov, for civil extortion, fraud, and negligent misrepresentation. The singer alleges Urinov orchestrated a “calculated blackmail campaign” by threatening to report her for drug trafficking unless she agreed to a 15-year employment contract and other demands.
Who is Alanis Morissette’s former tour manager?
The former tour manager is Keren Urinov, a former executive for Live Nation Israel who was hired to temporarily manage Morissette’s 2025 world tour.
What does Alanis Morissette allege happened at the airport?
Morissette alleges that on July 12, 2025, Urinov’s bag was seized at a U.K. airport after British authorities found marijuana and xylazine. According to the lawsuit, Urinov initially admitted the bag belonged to her and was later released.
How much money is Alanis Morissette seeking in the lawsuit?
Alanis Morissette is seeking more than $75,000 in compensatory damages, plus punitive damages and other relief as determined by the court.
Has the former tour manager responded to the allegations?
Yes. Urinov’s attorney has stated that she “totally rejects any allegation of blackmail” and intends to defend herself. Urinov also filed her own claim against Morissette in London prior to the singer’s lawsuit.
Has Alanis Morissette’s former tour manager been found guilty?
No. The case is a civil lawsuit, and the allegations are claims made by Morissette. A court has not made a finding of guilt. Urinov has denied the allegations and has filed a separate claim against the singer.
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