Alanis Morissette comes out as pansexual at 52 as expert reveals what it actually means
Alanis Morissette has officially come out as pansexual at 52, and an expert reveals what it means to identify as such.
The singer-songwriter made the announcement during a 3 November episode of the Handsome podcast, as she explained to Kim Kardashian's friend, Fortune Feimster if heartbreak made her 'want to be lesbian'.
“I’m sorry for the men that hurt you, but I’m not sorry for the songs that came from it. Those are pretty amazing,” Feimster said beside co-hosts, Tig Notaro and Mae Martin. “Did it make you want to be a lesbian at any point?”
The Ironic singer then said: “That’s kind...I’m pansexual, so yeah.”
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“I get everything,” Morissette added of her sexual identity, as Notaro asked if she was being serious, to which she said she was.
Notaro asked: “How did I not know this? Did you know this?” Notaro said, turning to Feimster. “You’re supposed to come into the Handsome podcast leading with, ‘I’m pansexual.’ ”
“You know, I like to leave it for the epilogue,” Morissette joked on the pod, adding: “I like to confuse people on the way out. Is it confusing?”
Pansexuality isn't as rare as you'd think, despite a lot of people not knowing what it is, or what it means to identify that way – particularly when sexual identities can become confused with each other.
Bisexuality, for example, is a sexuality that pansexuality is often mistaken for.
However, there are clear distinctions between the two that clinical sexologist, Ness Cooper, revealed to Tyla.
What is pansexuality?
Cooper says pansexuality is a term which covers a sexual identity involving being attracted to people, regardless of their gender identities.
She explained that it isn't a new term, and in fact, has been a recognised sexual identity for decades and 'was around even during section 28 in the UK', which was a controversial Margaret Thatcher-backed government legislation in 1998 which prohibited schools from 'promoting homosexuality'.
She said that at the time, there were a lot of stigmas around the term which have since been reduced as the world we live in gains deeper understanding of the sexual spectrum.
Instead, in 2026, Cooper says it 'can be used in a liberating manner [sic] for trans and non-binary individuals.'
How is it different to bisexuality?
Bisexuality refers to those who are attracted to more than one gender, but not necessarily all genders.
She explained that pansexuality is different than bisexuality as pansexuality signifies people who are 'attracted to any gender', trans and non-binary people included.
"Whereas bisexuality often refers to being attracted to either those who are biologically male or female," she said.
However, the expert noted: "There are some who will use either interchangeably."
Though, it is a hotly debated topic due to the differences in beliefs regarding the labels and whether trans people are included under each label.
She said: "For trans inclusion, the term pansexuality itself can be accepted by some trans and non-binary communities and not others. This is where sexual identity and gender identity can be very individualist.
"Some trans and non-binary individuals may more strongly align with terms such as gay or lesbian or bisexual as it acknowledges the gender they are rather than the gender they were born with. Others may prefer pansexuality to be used. "
However, she noted that as a community, 'we need the ability to have these conversations more safely, and whilst the term pansexuality may feel safer for some to use, it can still be loaded for others, particularly in the current political environment'.
What other celebrities have come out as pansexual?
Pansexuality also isn't rare in the celebrity world, as Gillian Anderson also came out recently, in September.
The 58-year-old admitted to The Australian: “In my younger years I was in relationships with women."
She also told the Sunday Times that she'd had a relationship with a girl at school, noting: “It felt secretive and illicit and wrong, and we had to hide. Later on, I had a boyfriend who found out and broke up with me."
Then there's comedian and actor, Wayne Brady, who is 53.
He came out in 2023, and told People: “I am pansexual."
“Bisexual — with an open mind!” he added of his definition of it.
He explained that for him, 'pan means being able to be attracted to anyone who identifies as gay, straight, bi, transsexual or non-binary. Being able to be attracted across the board.'
“And, I think, at least for me, for right now, that is the proper place. I took pan to mean that not only can I be attracted to any of these people or types physically, but I could be attracted to the person that is there,” he said.
Other celebrities who have talked about identifying as pansexual include: Janelle Monáe, Miley Cyrus, Cara Delevingne, Demi Lovato, and Bella Thorne.
Topics: LGBTQ, Sex and Relationships, Celebrity, Music
Britt Jones
