ALANIS MORISSETTE:

CANADIAN-AMERICAN

It’s official–ALANIS MORISSETTE is now an American citizen.

But her fans north of the border needn’t worry, as ALANIS isn’t turning her back on her native country.  “I will never renounce my Canadian citizenship–I consider myself a Canadian-American,” says the singer, songwriter and musician.

At a ceremony last week, ALANIS and 4500 others took an oath and were sworn in at the Los Angeles Convention Center.  “There was a turning point during the ceremony where I felt connected to this country in a way that I didn’t quite expect. America has been really great to me and I have felt welcomed since the day I came here.’”

And when the national anthem was about to be performed at the ceremony, the singer’s emotions almost overtook her.  “I wanted to walk up to one of the officials to ask if I could sing the anthem.”  Instead, concertgoers at her Los Angeles show that evening were treated to an impromptu version of the “Star Spangled Banner” in the midst of her set.  The show also featured surprise guest performers actor Dermot Mulroney (on cello), Boyd Tinsley (Dave Matthews Band violinist) and fellow Canadian Avril Lavigne.  Toward the end of the set, ALANIS began performing Avril’s “Losing Grip,” during which Avril joined ALANIS onstage before the two dueted on ALANIS’ “Ironic.”

“It can be difficult to travel and being an American will make it easier to travel over borders,” says ALANIS.  “I’ll also be able to sponsor family members who want to come and live near me.”  And importantly, “I’d like to make political comments and not have my chops busted by people who say I don’t have the right to comment.”

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