Alanis Morissette Interested in Joining 'American Idol' as Judge

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Alanis Morissette is a contender to join the judges' table on American Idol, CNN reports. Although she declined to discuss details at her Hollywood Rockwalk induction ceremony this week, Morissette said she's intrigued by the possibility of being a judge.

"I live to mentor, so my heart is much more open to the idea of that than even 10 years ago when I, perhaps, wasn't in a position to be able to offer much advice, solicited or otherwise," Morissette said. "[B]ut I love watching people and just getting really curious about what they want and what they need and what their goals are, and then I can support them. I would do it formally, for sure." 

If she lands in a judge's chair, Morissette would sit alongside Mariah Carey and maybe Nicki Minaj, who is said to be "100 percent confirmed" with regard to joining the panel this year, following the departures of departures of Jennifer Lopez and Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler. 

There's also been talk that original judge Randy Jackson will move to a "mentoring" role, leaving one more spot open. Rumors continue to swirl about who might take that spot, with name's like Nick Jonas and Kanye West getting thrown into the ring.

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Alanis Morissette Previews New Album in Intimate L.A. Event

Alanis Morissette performs during her 'Havoc and Bright Lights' listening party at Sonos Studio in Los Angeles.Michael Buckner/Getty Images for Sonos

Alanis Morissette previewed her new album, Havoc and Bright Lights, for a few hundred fans last night at a sweltering, packed Sonos Studio in Los Angeles. Before a mix of industry, media and contest winners, Morissette began the two-hour event by showcasing four new songs off the album, including an exclusive track, "Big Sur," that will only appear on a special edition at Target.

Following the four songs, which also included "Celebrity," Morrisette made her way from the back of the space through the crowd to join Billboard's Phil Gallo for a 35 minute Q&A that touched on a range of topics, from the new album to social activism to her songwriting process and more.

The wide range of subjects was fitting for an event celebrating Havoc and Bright Lights. When we spoke with Morissette in the studio a few months ago she said of the new album, "All the things I care about – personal story, the spiritual side, the consciousness side, the rock side – every part of my artist came forth."

Talking last night with Gallo about her writing and recording process, she said, "I put my helmet on and hope for the best." As she added, "I don't know if I should get into . . . " a fan yelled, "Yeah, get into it!"

The space, not much bigger than a nice-sized living room, allowed for a lot of intimacy and encouragement. Among Morissette's main topics were feminism – "This is a great time to be alive as a woman, especially an alpha woman," she said – and activism. Echoing a sentiment she shared with Rolling Stone, she said, "Artists are social activists, whether we want to be or not." But she also believes that is secondary to having children.

"I think parenting is the biggest activism there is on the planet," she said.

Getting back to her songwriting process, she described "You Oughta Know" as a "desperate diary entry." And she addressed the subject of "Celebrity," a song that derides those constantly seeking fame.

"It's a composite," she said. She made sure to put herself in that group of "dancing monkeys . . . I love all the trappings," she said of fame. "I'm as shallow as you can be. I love my 16-inch heels."

With her typical blend of candor and thoughtfulness, Morissette held the room as rapt as if she were backed by a full band, rocking out. To reward the audience for their undivided attention, she closed the night with a trio of acoustic songs, starting with "Hand in My Pocket," during which she busted out the harmonica to tremendous applause.

She followed that with a lovely rendition of "Guardian," which, in its acoustic format, took on a peaceful, easy feeling. The encore wrapped with "Thank U India."

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Alanis Morissette Previews New Album in Intimate L.A. Event

Alanis Morissette performs during her 'Havoc and Bright Lights' listening party at Sonos Studio in Los Angeles.Michael Buckner/Getty Images for Sonos

Alanis Morissette previewed her new album, Havoc and Bright Lights, for a few hundred fans last night at a sweltering, packed Sonos Studio in Los Angeles. Before a mix of industry, media and contest winners, Morissette began the two-hour event by showcasing four new songs off the album, including an exclusive track, "Big Sur," that will only appear on a special edition at Target.

Following the four songs, which also included "Celebrity," Morrisette made her way from the back of the space through the crowd to join Billboard's Phil Gallo for a 35 minute Q&A that touched on a range of topics, from the new album to social activism to her songwriting process and more.

The wide range of subjects was fitting for an event celebrating Havoc and Bright Lights. When we spoke with Morissette in the studio a few months ago she said of the new album, "All the things I care about – personal story, the spiritual side, the consciousness side, the rock side – every part of my artist came forth."

Talking last night with Gallo about her writing and recording process, she said, "I put my helmet on and hope for the best." As she added, "I don't know if I should get into . . . " a fan yelled, "Yeah, get into it!"

The space, not much bigger than a nice-sized living room, allowed for a lot of intimacy and encouragement. Among Morissette's main topics were feminism – "This is a great time to be alive as a woman, especially an alpha woman," she said – and activism. Echoing a sentiment she shared with Rolling Stone, she said, "Artists are social activists, whether we want to be or not." But she also believes that is secondary to having children.

"I think parenting is the biggest activism there is on the planet," she said.

Getting back to her songwriting process, she described "You Oughta Know" as a "desperate diary entry." And she addressed the subject of "Celebrity," a song that derides those constantly seeking fame.

"It's a composite," she said. She made sure to put herself in that group of "dancing monkeys . . . I love all the trappings," she said of fame. "I'm as shallow as you can be. I love my 16-inch heels."

With her typical blend of candor and thoughtfulness, Morissette held the room as rapt as if she were backed by a full band, rocking out. To reward the audience for their undivided attention, she closed the night with a trio of acoustic songs, starting with "Hand in My Pocket," during which she busted out the harmonica to tremendous applause.

She followed that with a lovely rendition of "Guardian," which, in its acoustic format, took on a peaceful, easy feeling. The encore wrapped with "Thank U India."

To read the new issue of Rolling Stone online, plus the entire RS archive: Click Here

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Song Premiere: Alanis Morissette Learns to Love Herself on 'Receive'

Listen to Alanis Morissette's "Receive":

On her new track "Receive," Alanis Morissette sings over an unrushed mid-tempo beat about accepting that it's OK to channel your giving nature inward for your own well-being. Though the lyrics at first seem to profess a sense of selflessness, as Morissette addresses a loved one's needs, she bursts apart in the chorus, relating how she's learning to love herself and move forward with greater confidence. "It's all about me, learning how to receive," sings Morissette over powerful arena-ready guitars and wordless vocal eruptions, affirming her new sense of self-reliance. "No better time than now to be sharing a song about self-care and responsibility for filling one's cup!" she tells Rolling Stone.

"Receive" is on Alanis Morissette's upcoming album, havoc and bright lights, out August 28th.

To read the new issue of Rolling Stone online, plus the entire RS archive: Click Here

Amazon MP3 Download Center

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Song Premiere: Alanis Morissette Learns to Love Herself on 'Receive'

Listen to Alanis Morissette's "Receive":

On her new track "Receive," Alanis Morissette sings over an unrushed mid-tempo beat about accepting that it's OK to channel your giving nature inward for your own well-being. Though the lyrics at first seem to profess a sense of selflessness, as Morissette addresses a loved one's needs, she bursts apart in the chorus, relating how she's learning to love herself and move forward with greater confidence. "It's all about me, learning how to receive," sings Morissette over powerful arena-ready guitars and wordless vocal eruptions, affirming her new sense of self-reliance. "No better time than now to be sharing a song about self-care and responsibility for filling one's cup!" she tells Rolling Stone.

"Receive" is on Alanis Morissette's upcoming album, havoc and bright lights, out August 28th.

To read the new issue of Rolling Stone online, plus the entire RS archive: Click Here

Amazon Music and MP3 Center

Read more »