Ben Affleck Slammed on Stage by Alanis Morissette in Los Angeles
Singer Alanis Morissette, 52, called out former Dogma co-star Ben Affleck during a Los Angeles residency show, saying he once asked why she didn't lead with her sexuality. She came out as pansexual on a podcast on November 3. Affleck has not responded in the reports.
Singer Alanis Morissette called out actor Ben Affleck from the stage of her Los Angeles residency show, saying he once questioned why she had not led with her sexuality. The 52-year-old made the remark days after publicly identifying as pansexual, and Affleck was reported to have been slammed live in front of thousands of fans.
The moment came during her "Butterfly with a Machete: A Rock Traumedy" residency. Morissette was running through a list of criticisms she has received over the years when she reached Affleck.
What she said
"I've even had a guy ask me why I didn't lead with my sexuality," Morissette told the crowd. Then she added, sarcastically: "Thank you, Ben Affleck."
Footage of Affleck's head exploding in a scene from the 1999 comedy Dogma played on screen behind her. Both starred in the film. Morissette played God, while Affleck played a fallen angel named Bartleby alongside his longtime friend Matt Damon.
It is unclear whether Affleck knew of Morissette's sexuality when the alleged comments were made. It is also unclear when they were made. Affleck has not responded to her claim in the reports.
Other names on the list
Affleck was not the only actor she mentioned. Morissette claimed she once phoned Johnny Depp hoping to connect and possibly form a friendship.
"His response was, 'Why are you calling me?'" she claimed. She then asked the audience why people call each other, and said she was "looking for a friend." It is unclear when that call allegedly happened.
The podcast revelation
Morissette discussed her sexuality on the November 3 episode of the "Handsome" podcast. Co-host Fortune Feimster asked whether the heartbreak behind her songs had ever made her want to be a lesbian.
"I'm pansexual, so, yeah," Morissette answered. The term describes people attracted to others regardless of sex or gender identity. Co-host Tig Notaro, surprised, asked whether she was really pansexual. "I am," Morissette confirmed.
She has previously said she identified as "pretty heterosexual." She was engaged to actor Ryan Reynolds from 2004 to 2007. In a 2008 interview with The Advocate, she called a person exploring their sexuality a "beautiful rite of passage."
Morissette has been married to songwriter Mario "Souleye" Treadway for 16 years. They have three children: sons Ever, 15, and Winter, seven, and daughter Onyx, 10. The residency show continues in Los Angeles.
