Primary Topic
This episode features a candid conversation between host Alex Cooper and guest Avril Lavigne, exploring Avril's career, personal experiences, and insights into the music industry.
Episode Summary
Main Takeaways
- Avril Lavigne values authenticity and has maintained her unique style throughout her career.
- She discusses the challenges and pressures of fame, emphasizing the importance of staying true to oneself.
- Avril shares insights into her songwriting process, revealing how personal experiences and emotions influence her music.
- The conversation covers Avril's thoughts on relationships and personal growth, offering advice to listeners based on her experiences.
- Avril reflects on the impact of her music on fans and how it has evolved over her career.
Episode Chapters
1: Introduction
Alex Cooper introduces Avril Lavigne, setting the stage for a discussion about her career and personal life. Avril Lavigne: "I'm really, really happy you're here. I'm obsessed."
2: Career Beginnings and Influences
Avril discusses her early music influences and the start of her career, detailing her first experiences with fame and her approach to songwriting. Avril Lavigne: "I knew one chord, but I was gonna figure it out."
3: Dealing with Fame
Avril and Alex talk about the challenges of fame, including maintaining privacy and dealing with public perceptions. Avril Lavigne: "It's how things go now."
4: Personal Insights and Relationships
This chapter explores Avril's personal growth, her relationships, and her advice on handling life's challenges. Avril Lavigne: "If you're not happy, you're never gonna be happy."
5: Looking Forward
Avril discusses her future plans, including new music and tours, reflecting on what she hopes her legacy will be. Avril Lavigne: "It's been 22 years, and I feel like I have, [been true to myself].
Actionable Advice
- Stay true to your style and values, even in the face of external pressures.
- Use personal experiences as a source of inspiration and strength in creative endeavors.
- Maintain authenticity and transparency in relationships and public interactions.
- Seek personal growth and self-understanding through reflection and openness to change.
- Embrace and overcome challenges by focusing on personal happiness and well-being.
About This Episode
Join Alex in the studio for a sit-down interview with Avril Lavigne. Avril takes us through some of her most iconic fashion moments (we all remember the neckties!) and her quick rise to fame. She opens up about the feelings that inspired some of her most angsty hits and how she taught herself to make music. Avril also discusses her childhood, what it was like growing up in a strict household, being on the boys hockey team and getting fired from the fried chicken shop. She explains why she’s always preferred to hang with the guys and why skater boys are still her type. Avril gets real about what it’s like to date her, lessons learned from her past relationships, and what she looks for in a partner. Finally, Avril responds to the conspiracy theory that she’s been replaced by a body double named Melissa. Enjoy!
People
Avril Lavigne, Alex Cooper
Companies
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Books
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Guest Name(s):
Avril Lavigne
Content Warnings:
None
Transcript
Alex Cooper
What is up, daddy gang? It is your founding father, Alex Cooper, with. Call her daddy. Daddy. Daddy.
Avril Lavigne just walked into my studio and brought me beer, champagne, and pizza. And I've never done a podcast before, dude. Cheers. Tops, bottoms. Bottoms, tops.
Avril Lavigne
Chris Cross. Fuck. I already feel so much cooler. I'm really, really happy you're here. I'm obsessed.
Alex Cooper
The way to kick this off is so fucking good. Daddy gang, if you're listening to this and you cannot see anything, Avril just walked in here. Pizza, beer, champagne. You're a pretty good guest. Thanks for coming.
So this is your first time? What type of canadian would I be if I didn't show up with beer? I'm obsessed. I didn't know what to expect. Like, obviously, I think what's so fun with songwriters and musicians is, like, we don't all the time get to see your personality, so you literally never know what to expect.
So it's fun to immediately kick it off and be like, oh, you're comedy. You know what you're doing, Avril. Okay, first podcast. Why don't you usually do sit down long interviews? Um.
Avril Lavigne
Cause I usually don't really like interviews. I get it if I'm honest. No, it's fine. It's never been, like, my favorite thing to do, but, like, you seem super cool, so I'm happy to be here. We're just gonna chill for an hour, and hopefully you don't hate me by the end of this.
Alex Cooper
I promise it's gonna be chill. Yeah.
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I get that there are some things you don't want to share, but bottling everything up inside can truly have some awful consequences. I remember growing up, I guess, honestly, the truth is, I was getting bullied. And I was, like, so embarrassed to tell my family that because at home, I was fine. But at school, it was tough for me, and I just remember feeling so awful about myself, and I kept it to myself, and I dealt with it by myself, and it literally just caused truly maybe like, a decade of trauma. And later in life, now that I've processed it, I'm like, damn, I would have been so much better off if I had just talked to someone about it.
It didn't even have to be my parents. Talking helps a lot, and if you want to save space for that conversation, I recommend therapy. I have had such an incredible relationship and experience with therapy. I was so ready to get better and to better myself and understand myself more. If you're thinking of starting therapy, give better help a try.
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Visit betterhelp.com daddy today to get 10% off your first month. That's betterhelp help.com. Two years ago, I became pregnant with a baby I desperately wanted. During a routine ultrasound, I learned that the fetus would have a fatal condition and never survive. I had to flee my own state to receive treatment.
I think Donald Trump bears an incredible amount of responsibility for these restrictive laws. We need leaders that will protect our rights. And that's Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. I'm Joe Biden, and I approve this message. You recently just announced that you're going on a north american tour and you are releasing your greatest hits album.
How did you decide to do this? It's so iconic and inspiring. Yeah, so it's like 22 years into my career now, which is super gnarly to even think about, and releasing a greatest hits album in June and going on the greatest hits tour. And it's pretty great to be going back out on the road and doing one of the biggest tours of my career this far. Just off, like, celebrating my catalog.
Avril Lavigne
So I feel super stoked and lucky to still be doing my thing and loving it more than ever. I just. Not to freak you out, but I love you, and I grew up loving you. And I used to make the most embarrassing music videos to all of your songs. I have one of the most embarrassing music videos to nobody's home.
Alex Cooper
And it's like little young Alex fucking depressed, being, like, singing in the corner of my room, six years old, seven years old, eight years old, to now being like, it's dope to be in your presence. Wow, that's crazy. Thank you. You made music videos. I feel like you need to find that, bring that up and put little clips on TikTok.
Avril Lavigne
I see that. See, the thing is, avril is, like, my version of a music video compared to the young kids on TikTok now. They're hot and cool and, like, wear cute outfits and know how to do, like, contour. I was fucking busted with my little, like, acne and braces. So, like, they're not cute, okay?
Alex Cooper
They're for, like, my parents to see only and be like, you were so cute, aleck mom. I was hideous. What is the difference, like, when you go on a tour, what is the difference between touring now versus, like, when you first started out? So, like, on my first tour, I wanted to be, like, green Day because I had gone to one of their shows, and, like, all of their songs were, like, hit after hit after hit, just, like, singles. It was just, like, power all the way through.
Avril Lavigne
And so, like, on my. My first tour, I only had three singles, and the rest was just, like, album tracks. And, like, for me, that just wasn't good enough. I wanted every song to be, like, a banger. So I guess I'd say we're super hard to get to this point where now, like, every single song in my set list as a hit song, a single, been, like, a really big milestone and part of my career.
So, like, making a strong set list is, like, for me, that's, like, the biggest thing that goes into the show. But I think every tour has gotten easier. I've come out of my shell more as a performer. Also, like, bringing, like, my favorite bands out on the road to open with me. Like, actually, like, my friends so we can play, like, beer pong backstage, skateboard backstage together, have barbecues backstage.
Alex Cooper
Didn't you have simple plan come with you? So simple plan opened for me on my first tour back in obsessed 2002. And you had all time low, too. All time low. Oh, my God.
I was so obsessed with all time low. I had post. I was, like. I was, like, very, very obsessed with them at a point where I was like, this is concerning. I really thought I was gonna marry one of them, and then, like, I obviously didn't.
No, I was obsessed. And I would, like, wear skinny jeans and, like, the color. Like, I would wear, like, skinny colored jeans. Wait, where are you from? I'm from Pennsylvania.
Avril Lavigne
Okay. And you're from Canada? Yeah, I'm from Canada. What do you do to make it fun on tour? Like, give me an example.
I like touring with my friends and, like, days off, taking the bus to, like, a campsite and going camping and going and pulling up into, like, an rv site instead of, like, going to a hotel and just, like, sitting there staring at the ceiling, like, what is my life? Seen way too many of those way too long. Like, I just go on Amazon, and I get a bunch of fun. Like, I've got a pink cooler that I've just ordered and pink chairs that'll sit outside of my bus every day. There will be beer there, I'll have my skateboards out, and then usually my bus is the cool bus because of that.
And I have my beer pong table out there. And then everyone just like, after the show comes my way. Do you have any, like, pre show rituals? Like, are you super? I'm just like, mellow as fuck in the day.
Because if you think about it, the show is around like 09:00 p.m. Which is why noon feels like super. Early for artists that you're even awake. I'm so sorry that this interview was at noon. I like, come walk in, I got one eye open.
I'm just like, I haven't worked out, I haven't had breakfast. I need to make sure I'm covered here. Oh, my God, I'm sorry about that. Yeah, someone came in there. Do you think you can lower the lights a little bit?
Alex Cooper
I'm like, oh, right, she's not awake. You're literally doing this asleep. You're gonna leave and be like, what the fuck did I say on that interview? My time, even though the interview was at noon, my time was like, 08:00 glam stop. Leave the house at 1030.
Avril Lavigne
I was like, can we push glam til nine? So not superstitious. Yeah, no, I think I just like, what's important is that I do take care of myself before the show. Yes. And then do the complete opposite after the show.
So it's like sleep in hopefully till three or noon on the early side. And then like the show that is like the gym session, it's a 90 minutes set at like 09:00 at night. So that's when I have to like, give it my all and be awake. But that is actually the flow of my body is to like, wake up at night, not a morning person, we've made that clear. Or a new person.
Alex Cooper
You're like, why am I here? Can I take a quick nap, Alex, the next pizza?
No, but that makes sense though, because I like, I think that's like, if anyone has a nighttime job, like you're sleeping in, you bring it, it starts. And then we don't go to bed till 06:00 a.m. Because you get off stage, you're wired, you're aunt the adrenaline. And then like, bus call. Buses don't leave until like, whatever, 03:00 so it's like, after the show, we like, set up a barbecue, you know, have fun, hang out with the bands and all that and party.
Avril Lavigne
And for me, like, that tour bus, that's my home. So again, another fun Amazon order of just hello the fuck kitty everything. I've got like 20 hello Kitty pillows in the front lounge, and I've got like, hello Kitty bedding, hello Kitty towels, and everything's just pink and fun. Oh, my God. I didn't even think you would be a hello Kitty girl.
Alex Cooper
Yeah, I would think, like, maybe a lot of black. I have a hello Kitty room on my house. On your house? The tour bus is hello Kitty tour. Must spent my room room in.
Avril Lavigne
At my house. I have Abram. Well, it used to be my bedroom, and it's a hello Kitty bedroom. When guys came over, would they be a little freaked out to have sex in that room? Well, like, Abram, I wasn't.
There wasn't a lot of guys. Okay, sorry. If a man. Relationships, long relationships. If a man.
I mean, there was like a stripper pole and the coffee in the little coffee table and like this huge pink velvet couch full of like, all these stuffed animal hello kitties. Are you getting on this tripper pole? Oh, hell yeah. Wait, you're good on a stripper pole. Wait, you need to teach me.
Alex Cooper
What the fuck? How did you learn to get on it? You just have a couple of those and wing ahead. You have a couple beers and you're ready to go. Wow, a new talent.
I guess if I'd asked you, like, what's a hidden talent? Would you ever say that? Or. No? No.
Next time you go to a party and they ask you a fun fact about yourself, you're like, I can rip on a stripper pole. You're welcome. What is one of the craziest fan interactions you've ever had? I got a wedding dress when I was over in Korea. Bunny was thrown at me on my lap in a bag, and I was like, oh, what's this?
Avril Lavigne
It's warm. And I open it, I'm like, ah, I thought it was a cat. It was a bunny. But we took care of it, made sure it went somewhere safe. And then I had a wedding dress, and I was like, that's cool, but it's weird.
Alex Cooper
That woman will never see her wedding dress again. No, it was like, for me from a guy. Wait, what? I thought you were saying a woman gave you her wedding dress to take and sign. A man gives you a wedding dress?
Avril Lavigne
Yeah, I guess that was a super forward way of proposing. Have that effect on people.
Oh, my God. Literally. Literally. We'll get to that. Your style.
Alex Cooper
Can we talk about this for a minute? Because, again, when I was younger, I just remember so many moments in early two thousands trends were dictated by you, queen. Your style was and is everything. If you had to pick three essential wardrobe items that are your staples, what would you pick? A big hoodie.
Avril Lavigne
Just like, an oversized black hoodie, like, bondage pants and military boots, like, combat boots. Okay, so that has kind of changed because when I was younger, Avril, I remember it was the necktie. The necktie. But if you don't understand, like, I would look at you and be like, oh, my. This is the fucking coolest thing ever that she's wearing a necktie.
Alex Cooper
So I would venture into my older brother's room, but he went to, like, a Catholic prep school, so he had ties that were, like, wide as fuck and ugly and hideous. And that's the only tie I could find. And I would, like, wear it around my house with, like, a little wife beater. And I really. Stop.
Avril Lavigne
That is so cute. I really thought I was doing something, and I hope those photos never surface, but the necktie was iconic. And then, like, the little sweatbands on your wrist you used to wear, which were so cool. Yeah, it's crazy. I've been thinking about the tie a lot lately, and the wristbands, the sweat bands with the skater boy star, which is my tattoo right here.
And I'll probably wear those on stage. Cause I used to wear them all the time. All the time. Yeah. And that's so fun.
Maybe I'll wear the necktie on stage. Please, honestly, do it for me. Like, I will literally have, like, a revival in my soul. I need to come to a show. I'm, like, so obsessed.
Alex Cooper
But that would be epic. I think everyone, anytime we see you in a tie, it just brings us back to our childhood, and it makes us happy. It was so crazy. Like, my first show, so I was, like, 17, and it was. I don't know where it was.
Avril Lavigne
It was in Vancouver somewhere, and it was sort of like a warm up show they were putting together for me, and it was, like, in, like, a little club, and it was, like the first real show. And I remember, like, being up in my dressing room and looking out onto the street and seeing, like, all the, like, fans lined up to come in, and they were. The girls were. They were dressed like me. They had on the tank, white tank top and the tie and, like, stick straight hair and black eyeliner, and I was like, what?
I was like, this is crazy. And from the first show, it was like, from the beginning, it was a thing. And pretty cool, too. To see every album, my image changed a bit to under my skin. My second album, I put black hair in and was wearing the bondage pants.
And then all the girls front row, the blonde hair with the black underneath the bondage pants, black eyes. The third album, the best damn thing, showing up at the show with the pink streak in the hair and just. Like, I will never forget that. Trust me. I thought about doing it.
Alex Cooper
My mom was like, absolutely fucking not, Alex. I'm like, shit. Were you always super confident to wear whatever you wanted to wear, like, your whole life? Yeah, it kind of just, like, came together. I didn't, like, think about it or anything.
Avril Lavigne
Like, obviously when I was younger, I was, like, just dressing in whatever my mom bought. And then when I got, you know, into high school, I was like, okay, I like hoodies and skateboarding clothes. And I started skateboarding and was into, like, west 49 and vans and started wearing, like, really baggy pants. And my parents were just like, are you gonna keep dressing like a boy?
When I, like, made. When I went out to New York City and was, like, meeting with, like, important people and writing songs in the studio, they were kind of like, can you, like, dress up a little better? But what was awesome was when I got signed by La Reid, I was sitting in his office, I was, like, 16, and he just looked at me and he was, like, taking a meeting with my mom and I, and he was like, you know, you have, like, your own thing going on, girl. Like, usually we have people come in and you have to figure out what your style is and we help you and whatever. And he's like, you got your own thing going on.
You just keep doing you. And I think that was awesome. I'm so glad he did that. Probably looking back, that did instill confidence in me, but also, I didn't care. I was gonna dress that way anyway, right?
Alex Cooper
No, but that's, like, a great thing to know that someone didn't try to change you. That was probably in a position where, like, if they asked you to, I'm sure your mom and you would have looked each other and like, fuck, like, is this what we have to do to make it in this industry? And, like, normally they probably. Especially, like, at that time with, like, all bubblegum pop was so big, they probably would have put me in something sexy, cute, pink, girly, frilly, like, mid drift and, like, that wasn't not my vibe. There's definitely, like, times that, like, photo shoots.
Avril Lavigne
I show up at whatever magazine to shoot and they wanted to put me in stuff that, like, I was very afraid of, like, blouses. And I was just like, nah. So I'd like, you know, you'd have to, like, have a word with them. The manager would be like, you know, she has her own style. And I'd pull out my, like, skateboarding book bag and dump like, my ties and my spike bracelets on the floor and be like, can I just wear my stuff?
So we had to go back and forth, but it was like a little bit of a fight and I had to always push for that. But it worked out pretty good. It worked out phenomenally. I want to go back a little bit to your childhood because I think when you're looking at someone so famous and so successful, it is fascinating. Like, you grew up in Canada in a really small town with like 5000 people.
Alex Cooper
How would you describe your childhood like before you were famous?
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How would you describe your childhood like before you were famous? Normal as fuck. And I'm, like, grateful for that because I came out at a really young age, and I'm glad that I had a normal, steady, solid childhood. I played a lot of sports. I was on the hockey team.
Avril Lavigne
I was gonna say the guys hockey team. How the fuck did you get onto the guys hockey team? Well, I just wanted to play hockey, and it was like, the guys. There wasn't a girls league, so I was able to play from, like, novice to pee wee. And then pee wee is when there's body contact, and that's when I wasn't allowed to play anymore.
But then at that. By that time, I was in grade nine, like, my first year of high school, and they had a girls team in the high school, so I tried out for that, and I almost said, auditioned? You auditioned? I tried out for the girls team in high school, and I made it. And then I blew it by going to our first tournament out of town and getting expelled from school and kicked off the.
Out of the tournament because someone got caught drinking in the hotel room and someone ratted her out. No. And my parents were just so mad at me. Like, it was like, I, like, did drugs or something, which I've never done, by the way. And it was like I done something so terrible, it's like, who cares?
Of course I'm. I'm AwaY from my parents. I'm in a hotel. We're in Toronto, the big city, doing, like, an, you know, like, an offsa tournament, and, like, yeah, I got busted, so I had to go home. My parents were like, we're GOnna send you to the catholic school, avril.
And I was Just like, oh, what have I done? Stop. Did you make friends with all the guys when you were playing with, like, guys, or were you, like, the odd man out? And people would make fun of me. My whole life, I've been, like, friends with guys all in school, and we would, like, get in real fights.
I'm a good blocker. That's, like, that was my move. I'm a blocker. Block the punch. And.
Yeah, so I played a lot of sports. Hockey in the winter, baseball in the summer. I was a pitcher. There was a lot of, like. Because I was so into hockey, like, there's a lot of, like, rollerblading.
So I was rollerblading around town, building forts, skateboarding, and all that stuff. Yeah, I hung out with the guys, and then I, like, left home, had a band, lived on a tour bus with guys. And still to this day, I'm just like, most of my friends are guys. Did your parents ever be like, why don't you have any girlfriends? Should we invite Rebecca over?
Alex Cooper
Let's try this. Let's give it a whirl, avril. Or did they not give a shit? My parents were really strict with me. If I had a guy over who was just my friend, even.
Avril Lavigne
There was no bedroom. It was the middle floor. They monitored it. It was dinner. But all we wanted to do anyway was run around and rollerblade, skateboard, play mini hockey.
Alex Cooper
I played hockey, too, and my brother played hockey. You did? Yes. What position? I was like, well, first of all, I was like, not that great.
I ended up going and playing soccer, but I was on offense, and my dad works for the NHL, so my whole life. Hockey. Oh, my God. We were a full hockey. Oh, my God.
It was cool. But we were like, it was weird. I think in Pennsylvania, you're lucky. Canada, it was like, that's the sport. But in Pennsylvania, people were like, why do you have your playing fricking hockey?
And my dad was like, it's just the best sport ever. Like, just trust us. And so we had, like, roller hockey, mini hockey in the basement on the carpet. We did it. All the sticks and burned them over the stove.
Yes. Oh, my God. And, like, I think people were like, what are you guys doing in your basement? We're like, we're playing mini hockey. Living our best lives, literally thriving.
And it was. No one will ever fuck with us when we're older, but it's cool that. You played hockey because I feel like it's obviously a. That makes you really fucking tough. It does.
And you just learn to, like, basically get the shit beaten out of you on the ice. And then you're like, oh, it's normal. Day, and it's freezing cold. All you wake up and just skating alone is so hard. It's like gnarly cardio.
Avril Lavigne
And then if you're actually, like, playing and stick handling and shooting and, like, you're out there and the game is happening. Skating is its own thing. Oh, my God. I remember, like, I want. Cause Matt, my husband, is from LA, and I so badly just want to take him, like, ice skating.
Alex Cooper
Even if it's, like, during Christmas time around, like, the little fucking pond. Okay. Cause he's so good at sports, but he does know how to ice skate. So I'm like, watch me backwards skate. Watch me skate around.
Watch me do thrilled bitch. Are you awesome on skate? I'm really good. Me too. We skate.
Avril Lavigne
Yes. We're in LA. Like, I can skate backwards. Yes. Crossover.
Alex Cooper
All of it. It is a pretty good skill to have. And I feel like it's a flex when a guy takes you ice skating during the holidays and you're like, oh, you think I'm gonna have to hold your hand or hold onto the rails the whole time, bitch, I'm gonna be holding you. I know Matt's gonna be falling and I'm gonna be holding him. I just don't know if I wanna take him.
Cause I may get the ick. So I just need to be careful. I know. Make sure he's ready for that. No, literally.
So you had a pretty normal upbringing, which I'm happy you're talking about. Cause it's like you're playing. I babysat. I shoveled driveways. I mowed lawn.
Oh, my God. And did the whippersnipper. The weed whacker. The whippers I, like, put flyers out. Stop.
Avril Lavigne
I cleaned houses. You did it all. I worked at a fried chicken place. How was that? And then I got fired.
Alex Cooper
Oh, again? Were you drinking on the job? No, I'm a really good hard worker. I actually requested for some time off to perform somewhere, and he used it against me. Oh, my God.
He must feel so fucking dumb now. They say fuck. And then I wrote a song about it on my first album. Wait, which one? It's called my world.
And that's about the chicken shop you worked at. Got fired by fried chicken ass. All in a small town Napanee. Wait, that was about him? Shut the fuck up.
Avril Lavigne
And, like, I heard after they, like, took the lyrics of my song and, like, framed it and put it up in the store. Fuck you. I could have used the extra $20. Wait, that's fucking epic. I didn't realize that, like, now I need to go back and listen to that song again.
Alex Cooper
Because sometimes when you're listening to songs, you're like, oh, did they just kind of, like, make that up or like, that you literally lived that. You got fucking fired from the. I talk about my hair is actually so curly. Like, no one knows that I really frizzy curly hair. What?
Avril Lavigne
I didn't discover the flatiron until the making of my first album. So on that song, also my world, I talk about how I would braid my hair in a zillion braids and it would take me all frigging day. Are there lyrics? Cause it would take me 5 hours. So I would just braid my hair in little braids because there was no flat iron back then.
Or definitely not in my small town. Right then when I came to LA, I was working on my album, my producer took me to get a blow dry, and I was like, what? This is life changing. Do you know what I have done? I used to, like, shower and, like, wash my hair.
Like, put on a toque. Stop. What you guys call a beanie in the States, a beanie. Just like, let my hair try to dry flat. I couldn't get it straight.
Alex Cooper
You're trying to literally pin it to your head. So then she got me. My producer got me a flat iron for actually. Yeah, for my birthday. And then it was.
Avril Lavigne
It was game over. Everyone just thinks I have stick straight hair because it's like, never will I ever want curly hair again. It's so straight. It's so straight. Like your first album.
Alex Cooper
I remember. Cause my hair is so naturally straight that I was like, oh, my. Cause so girls used to make fun of me in, like, middle school, being like, your best friend is your straightener. And I was like, I don't own a straightener because my hair was so straight. So when I saw your first album, I was like, oh, my God, she's a straight hair.
Girly like me. Now I'm realizing, like, avril, dude, if. You saw my hair, it's like, poof. It's, like, so curly. I hate it.
Avril Lavigne
But, like, my friends like it. I bet it's so gorge. Like, I bet you actually look amazing. But I get. When you're younger, like, anything you have, you're like, I want the opposite.
Alex Cooper
I don't want this shit. But my hair's so thick. So when I do get a blow dry, it's, like, lasts for, like, a week. When I'm thinking now of how normal your upbringing was, like, what do you think people in your town thought when you started getting famous?
Avril Lavigne
I don't know. Like, do you think it was a surprise to people? Like, okay, so, like, around school. Okay, so when I was 14, I won a contest to sing on stage with Shania Twain in Ottawa. So it was, like, a few hours away from my small town.
And, like, I sang on stage with her. And then I came back and I was, like, famous in my high school, it was like walking down the hallway. I was like, ah, singer girl. She's the singer girl. That's several.
So everyone kind of knew me as, like, the singer girl. You got famous at 17 years old. Like, big, big family. So I'm a high school dropout. Love, love.
Me too. I went to New York and I started making my first album. My friends were all doing. What are those things called the exams that's the shit I didn't have to do. Is it an exam?
Alex Cooper
Like act? What's the thing at the end? Yeah. Yeah. An exam.
Avril Lavigne
Yeah. I didn't have to do that. Oh, finals. I would make fun of them and I'd be like, thank God I don't have to do this. I'm just in New York gaining ten pounds, eating McDonald's and pizza every day.
No shit. That's all my brother and I did. Cause he came to chaperone. Oh, my God. And so, yeah, but all I was thinking at the same time was, this better work, right?
Alex Cooper
Because I feel like you're a quite competent person. Like, did you have any insecurities back then? No. I was like, just, like, tomboy. Liked hanging out with the guys, loved music.
Avril Lavigne
And then, you know, like, when I was. When I was younger, I was singing in church, singing at, like, the country fairs around town. That's kind of like, those were sort of the, like, options in front of me then when I got into high school. School. So, like, 1415, I was, like, not really feeling these songs anymore.
So I, like, went through a phase where it was like, it could have gone, you know, I was at a crossroads. It could have been like, okay, I'm not gonna sing anymore. Or it was just like. I was just like, I don't want to do these events anymore. So I started turning them down, and it was kind of like, oh, what are we doing here?
And that forced me to write my own songs. So I sat in my bedroom and was, like, playing the guitar. I had no idea what I was doing. I knew one chord, but I was gonna figure it out. And so I started definitely writing for sure at 14.
I didn't know that because one of my songs I wrote, oh, my God, really? I'm 14 years old. No, I'm not that old. That's one of the fucking lyrics in the song. Someone's like, I know I was writing by 14.
Alex Cooper
That's amazing. Yeah. So. And then I got into high school, and then I just like, green day and no effects, blink 182. And I was like, yes.
Avril Lavigne
And, like, got an electric guitar, wore it low, and just started writing my own songs. And that's kind of, like, where it all shifted for me. And then sort of, like, ended up performing again and making my way to New York City, getting a record deal by, like, 16 and was so young, no one could fathom that. Like, I wanted to write my own songs. So that was, like, the biggest sort of challenge on my.
The making of the first album and that everyone, the producers, you know, they naturally went to, like, polished and fluffy and this and that. And I was just like, no. And it was like, really? I worked with a million people on that album. And then I finally connected towards the end with a couple producers that then understood.
They, like, sat there and listened to me and heard what I was going for. We wrote the songs together and it was like a really perfect collaboration where it was like, okay, there's this young girl. She has a vision. We're going to work with her and help her get there. And they were all extremely talented people, too, and so fought for that, got it.
And developed my own sound and style, and the rest is history. That first sound and style, I remember I was reading somewhere, you really described it as pretty angsty and you coming across as a quite chill, happy person. Were you actually feeling a lot of those emotions? Because some of the songs are really fucking sad because, trust me, I cried to them when I was growing up. So where were those feelings coming from?
I'm a really big feeler and I feel everything. And I've gone through, you know, I've obviously experienced all different types of emotion. When you're in high school, when you're going in that age, you know, you're really trying to, like. You're, like, feeling. Having a crush for the first time or being disappointed, feeling neglected or, like, being vulnerable and opening your heart to someone, your first breakup and there and the excitement of something new.
There's so much to, like, tap into and to write about. I was never really thinking about it. It probably just end up being, like, that day, what I was feeling there definitely, like, songs like, losing grip. I'm off to, like, I listen to the lyrics and I'm like. And I knew it when I was writing them.
Like, where's this shit coming from? Is this my past life? Are your parents ever like, what the fuck? Avril, are you okay? I.
Not really, but they were. They were like. They didn't like the swearing. They were a little like, you know, the clothes and da da da. But, like, they get it.
My mom, when I was two, she was like, she knew I was gonna be a singer. Like, came home from church, she's like, she's. Holy shit. Holy God. She's like.
She's like, oh, came home. She said, I came home from church singing Jesus loves me or Jesus loves you, and she's like, oh, my God, she can sing. And so my parents were, like, so supportive and, like, obviously wouldn't be here without that support. Were you always confident getting on a stage, like, are you? Like.
Alex Cooper
I feel like you're not. You were. You did. Yeah. Cause, like, I.
I always have this. Weird dream, though, where I'm on stage and I can't remember the words. Why have I been doing that lately? We stop. But now I'm confident on stage.
Avril Lavigne
It's like. You never even thought about it. It's like, nothing. Yeah, that's incredible. And when.
Okay. And then when I sang with Shania on stage, it was in front of, like, 20,000 people in this arena, like, packed. I was 14 and all. I felt, like, overcome. My whole body was, like.
Like, walked out on stage, and I was just like, oh, my gosh. Like, I really. This is what I really want, like, for me. And then, like, two years later, three years later, I sold out that arena and played my own show. Do you remember, like, how you felt?
I was like, this is crazy. This is insane. And when you would have those moments of, like, holy fuck, like, would you turn to, like, your mom? Like, who was your go to person to, like, freak out with? I still, like, have them all the time.
Alex Cooper
Wow. Just, like, if I'm just, like, walking, I hear myself, like, out in public, and I'm, like. I was gonna say, and I'm in a mall, and then I hear myself, but I'm not really in a mall. I don't know where I am. Maybe it's an outdoor mall.
Avril Lavigne
I don't know. I love wherever I am, and I hear myself on the radio. It's definitely like, damn, bitch, you made it like you did. Small town, no connections. I don't know how I did it.
It was supposed to happen. Obviously, it was a lot of hard. Work, but it's really interesting to hear you talking about your songwriting process. Cause you're so talented. Thanks.
Alex Cooper
And hearing you be like, I'm writing losing grip, and I'm literally like, what the fuck am I? Where did I. Did I experience this? Like, nobody's home, right? Well, I kind of felt that way.
Avril Lavigne
Too, but I was also like, okay, I'm gonna write this about this girl that I know. Or the words sort of start, and I'm like, oh, I'm gonna take it in this direction. And it's not about me. And I'm tapping into, like, what I know somebody else went through. Interesting.
Yeah. How did you feel about all the fame and attention? I think I was fine with it. And, like, my whole life is, like, weird because of it. Like, everything I do.
You're in public, so you just like, do weird things. Like, there's people walking, so you just kind of turn or, like, you're not just gonna, like, stand there, you know? It's like. I mean, if I was, like, in an airport waiting for, like, a suitcase, you know, you're gonna, like, kind of stand behind the, like, pillar. You're not just gonna stand.
It's all like that. And it never bugged me or anything. I just, like, I got it. I was like, okay, this is how things go now. That's a really healthy way to look at it.
Alex Cooper
Cause I feel like that's a unique perspective. Like, I feel like a lot of people feel like they don't have autonomy over their life once they get famous and you're, like, chillin'like. I get followed every time. Not every time, but I get followed when I leave my house. I don't know how.
Avril Lavigne
I try to, like, go different ways and stuff like that. And so, like, I like to go to the grocery store, and I like to do all that stuff, but I have to be in the headspace to, like, energetically, energetically handle it, which I'm totally fine with, too. Like, really? Do you really want your picture taken like this? If you walk out right now, are you okay with it?
You know what I mean? It's like, you have to think about that. That's. I mean, I am really pleased by your answer. Like, there is no right or wrong answer.
Alex Cooper
Like, I've had musicians sit here and be like, I'm such an introvert. It's really fucking hard, and, like, I hate it, and I wish I could just write songs and upload it and never be in public. That's awesome to know that you're someone that's, like, I don't really care. It's actually kind of chill. It is what it is, and, like, I learned it and how to move with it, and it's like, I would never complain about it because what I get to do is fucking awesome.
Avril Lavigne
And that's part of it. Like, how fucking cool is that? That, like, people know who I am. That means my music got heard. So fucking true.
Alex Cooper
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Visit mondayhaircare.com to find a stockist near you. What do you think people, if anything, like, misunderstood about you from your career and you growing up in the spotlight? So I think when people meet me, I think they're like, oh, my God, you're so nice. You're so sweet. No, I've had I ask people, too.
Avril Lavigne
Like, guys are like, you're just more like, I don't know what the word is. Like, soft, feminine, more than any girly or something. I think people, because of my, maybe my music videos, think I'm like, like, all the time. I'm not. I'm actually like, well, what do you think?
What is your take on it? Yeah, I mean, just now trying to think about it, because I think when you were younger, really? And I was younger, I channeled like, oh, this girl's sad and angry. I know. It was like, angry, Avril.
Alex Cooper
Yeah. And I think that was like. But now it's kind of really incredible to, like, get to sit across from you and hear you be like, some of these songs I was writing, like, there was a girl I knew, and I was, like, writing about her, and then, like, it really wasn't that deep. Like, my boss fucking fired me from my chicken spa. And so I'm like, fuck you.
I wish I got my extra 20 and my new other paycheck. Like, I think it's. I do think, though, I don't take back, though. Like, I loved how deep those songs were and they were because I felt like a lot of people needed that, that type of music back then. Like, I think you're right.
There was so much, like, pop and princess. And it was like, woo. Like, let's shake our bodies and be. And I'm like, I don't. My.
My crush that doesn't even know I exist broke up with me and he didn't even know he broke up with me, but he didn't look at me today. So I'm heartbroken and I'm gonna go listen to losing grip and I'm gonna fucking cry. I needed that. Okay? I don't need, like, a shake your body and dance and be happy.
Sure, maybe on a Friday night, but, like, I, in that era, needed that depressing esque music. Is that fucked up to say? Yeah, but it's nice to know you weren't depressed. I guess. I mean.
Avril Lavigne
I mean, I went through it all and I was like a teenager and feeling the feels and I was definitely, like, in, like, emo and, like, going through it and, like, feeling at all. And it's like, I don't want to write a song about being happy because it's going to be kind of, like, cheesy and not that cool. Kind of go and do that right now where I'm like, I don't know what to write about because it's just like, that's the thing. It's an intense emotion. Like, head above water was a really dark, heavy song for me.
Kind of like near death experience. Like, one of the hardest things I've ever gone through in my life, but, like, real easy to write about. It's literally, like laying there in bed, like I'm dying and I'm accepting it. Oh, there's a song. Gotta tell that.
And I literally grabbed my phone and, like, the song, like, channels through me. Are you referencing when you got sick? Mm hmm. Yeah. Okay.
Alex Cooper
And that was for, like, kind of, like, what, two plus years of your life. You were, like, in bed? Yeah, it was like, it was kind of, like, bedridden for a couple years and, like. And then, like, you know, you got, like, stronger coming out of that. And that's something that, like, rocks you pretty hard.
Avril Lavigne
But, like, I'm really grateful to be, like, on the other, other end of that. And so that was like a really in. I'll think twice about riding the dirt bikes out in the woods on the east coast next time. Cause it was lines. Yeah, that's all I did was, like, outside.
And it's like, you know, but I. Get what you're saying. You're like, then you're laying there and you're like, yeah, I can write a depressing song right now. Cause this fucking sucks. But it's, like, waves of emotion that you're, like, tuning into.
And, like, I've gone through a lot in my life in love, like, tons of ups and downs and, like, you know, I've definitely written, like, the angry songs and the sad songs and going through, like, something hard in life. It's easy to, like, sit down at the piano, especially. That instrument really pulls it out of me. But on, like, my last album, love sucks, it was, like, much lighter. Even though it was, like, little boy bashing and, like, poking fun at, like, love and stuff, it was.
I kind of, like, putting a twist on my songs now where it's like. It's like. It's funny. It's like I'm just, like, rolling my eyes at myself for it, like, not working out again or something and just, like, having fun with it. I don't, like, I'm in a phase in a place right now today where I'm writing.
I don't really, like, want it to be, like, that dark. I say that means nothing at all. Cause tomorrow I could go write a boohoo song. I think that's something that I just never know. It's like when I get in the kitchen and I'm cooking, I don't know what I'm cooking, and it turns into.
What it turns into. I got a canvas I love to paint. I have no idea what I'm doing. I'm like, oh, well, cool. That can go on the wall.
That one, not so much. Totally. No. When you write a song, sometimes you can be intentional with an album. Go in and be like, this is my vibe.
Or you can just wing it, write, and just see what kind of comes out and gets put together. I think that some people may not know. I love that you said when you walked into those meetings, people were like, how is a 1516 year old girl trying to write, like, here, let us give you writers, and, like, just go sing, sweetie. And I think you're such an incredible. I know you're such an incredible writer that, like, I know one of the fun facts online that everyone still can't get over is that you wrote breakaway for Kelly Clarkson, and that's, like, a perfect example of, like, you're so talented.
Alex Cooper
Do you remember writing that song? And, like, was it about a heartbreak? The lyric used to be, I grew up in a small town, and when the snow would fall down, I would just stare out my window. Oh, my God. I'm actually gonna probably will perform that breakaway.
Avril Lavigne
Kelly Clarkson's breakaway on the greatest hits tour. That would be fucking amazing. But how did you decide to get rid of it? I just wasn't feeling it, and I'm so glad it went to her. She killed it.
It was a massive hit for her. And, yeah, it's kind of like just being from a small town and taking a chance and going into the big city and going after your dream. There is a crazy rumor out there about you that I obviously have to ask about. And I always ask people when they come on my show, like, oh, what's the craziest rumor that you've ever heard about yourself? I guess I could just first ask you, what would you answer before I ask you something?
Oh, yeah, that one. I know what you're talking about. I mean, it's just funny to me. Like, on, like, one end, everyone's like, oh, my God. You look the exact same.
You haven't aged today. But then other people are like, you know, there's a conspiracy theory that I'm not me. There is a cool. Honestly, it's not that bad. It could be worse, right?
Like, I feel like I got a good one, but is it okay? I don't think it's, like, negative or anything, like, creepy. It's a rule. Avril, this conspiracy theory about you is a little creepy. Come on.
Oh, no. Yeah. I don't know. It could be worse. It could?
Alex Cooper
Yeah. No, you could be getting, like, online books. Yeah, I am. Me. It's so dumb to people that don't understand just to give people context.
There's a conspiracy theory that Avril Lavigne is no longer with us, and there is a woman named Melissa who took over. And you. I can't even say, seriously, you sitting across from me, you are Melissa. And there are, like, conspiracy theories that run so fucking deep. Like, does it annoy you that there will be people that comment on this episode being like, that's Melissa?
That's not. Absolutely. When did it start? My second album, like, I don't even know. I think from the beginning ish.
Avril Lavigne
Second album, I don't know. And why do you think people think that? I think that they've done that with other artists. I'm not the only one. I think other people have that.
Alex Cooper
I feel like yours is really prominent. Oh. I mean, I feel like you might believe that. I'm honestly the one that started the conspiracy. I'm one of those freak bloggers that's like, I went undercover to interview Melissa.
Oh, my God. No, but it's. It's fucking crazy. And I just have empathy for you. But it's good again to know you don't give a fuck where people are.
Like, oh, Melissa showed up today, and I'm like. I remember, like, being like, what are people talking about? And then I went and started looking and like, oh, people are fucking insane. So you don't care. We're over it.
Okay, so your name is Avril Lavigne. Yeah, but I knew you half believed it. I'm telling you, what's crazy is you haven't aged. I'm staring at you and, like, I'm picturing you with your, like, auburn hair, and I'm like, oh, my God. You literally look the same from when you were younger.
You're beautiful. Let's talk about your love life. Your career exploded when you were so young. Like, were you still able to go on dates with guys and them not be freaked out by yourself? I never really did the dating thing.
Avril Lavigne
I was always, like, in a pretty major relationship. You're a relationship girl? Yeah. What are you, like, in a relationship? I'm fucking awesome.
I would date me.
I love that I cook. I'm a really big cook. Really big into the house and decorating, and I have a lot of fun with that. So, yeah, I'd always have people over at my house throw parties, cook big, huge dinners at the dining room table. I'm gonna order that keg sand.
There's going to be a full bar. We are going to have beer pong and stay up until the sun comes up. It's going to be a good time. And there will be hello Kitty Instagram. And there will be matching tattoos involved.
All of my tattoos were drunk tattoos, and they'd be boring if I was sober. All of them are drunk. So let's finish this beer, and then we'll call my tattoo art. We'll go to shamrock on sunset. Okay, so all these are drunk tattoos?
Mm hmm. Yeah. Miss I like the. The skater boy star was my first tattoo. I was 19.
Alex Cooper
And then your parents have tattoos? All my tattoos are. Oh, I have tattoos on my hips. No, I think I'm the only one in the family, really, with a bunch of tattoos. My dad had a couple.
Okay, what is the hardest lesson you've ever learned about love? I mean, I definitely went through my jaded phase with my previous album called Love Sucks, and I had gone into a place of. All right, I'm just gonna focus on myself. I'm gonna move to Malibu. I'm gonna build my own life for me, and I'm not gonna, like, wait for a guy or rely on a guy to, like, do that.
Avril Lavigne
And I definitely felt like I had the wind knocked out of me. I had been through, like, enough, and it was definitely like I was in a place of, like, never trust a guy again and just, like, you're gonna have to, like, rely on yourself. But I don't feel that way today, thankfully. That's amazing. Yeah.
Alex Cooper
Have you ever been cheated on? Have I been with a male before? Then the answer is yes. Much as anyone's ever fucked me over, which has happened a shit ton. I've always just, like, been the classy bitch and taken the high road and kept it to myself.
I appreciate that. I think a lot of people stay in things because they're nervous to start over. I think that's a really normal feeling, especially for women. It's like, yeah, people are fearful. Fearful.
Do you have any advice of how to know when to move on and how to get yourself out of something that's maybe comfortable, but, you know, you need to be on your own and be single. It's hard when you're in something because you're in it. So, you know, it's a big deal to leave a relationship. To change is hard. To have to step out.
Avril Lavigne
It requires a lot, you know? And some people can't see, like, that clearly. It's, like, always easier once you're on the other end. But if you're not happy, you're never gonna be happy. And life is short, and you should just really get out as soon as possible so you can move on and then, you know, have a better future for yourself.
Some people like to have, like, something that they're leaving and going to and, you know, sometimes you have to take that leap of faith and just trust that if you're not happy, it's not a healthy relationship. It's not a good situation just to get out. And it's okay to have, like, time on your own in between if you need it. And, you know, just believe and hope that something greater is out there for you. And if not, you're better off on your own than someone draining the fuck out of you.
Alex Cooper
Facts. Thank you. Are you singing anyone right now? Now I know. Even if you were, you're never gonna fucking tell me.
Maybe. Okay, what do you look for in a partner? Do you remember the cheers? Oh, kind of. Okay, let's try it again.
Fuck. You're avoiding my question. Okay, here. Tops, bottoms, bottoms. Fuck.
Avril Lavigne
Tops. Crisscross. Okay, do it again. Do it again. Okay, tops, bottoms, bottoms, tops.
Crisscross. Okay, that's pretty good. And are you a beer drinker? I am when I'm, like, whether I'm, like, outside for summer, like, I'm not drinking beer usually if it's, like winter, but if it's, like summer, I like to drink it, like, with matt. If I'm sitting outside with my dogs, like, it's like a chill drink.
Alex Cooper
If I'm like, oh, I don't want to be drinking tequila tonight. I will drink beer. And also in college. Are you kidding me? I was drinking natties like a freak, and it was bad.
And beer bonging and everything. So, like, any day, anytime, anytime in California, you could be a beer drinker. Absolutely. Exactly. Pennsylvania.
Avril Lavigne
You should come to my house in Malibu. We'll have a beer. We'll have a beer and play beer pong. And you'll answer some of my questions off camera. Yeah.
Oh, honey, if you. You only knew. Avril, you're giving us blue balls. Okay, so you may be seeing someone. What do you look for in a partner?
So I think the most important thing is finding someone that you're compatible with because you could be two different great people. But if you're not compatible, you're not gonna get along. So, like, you're gonna argue. So compatibility, obviously. It all just sounds so cliche.
Someone that is trustworthy, because if you don't have that, you're just never going to feel grounded in the relationship, and you're going to be spinning. So that's just not healthy. I'm looking for, you know, a healthy relationship is ideal. Duh. But, like, do we really have to say these things are so simple and cliche and basic, but that's what you need.
Alex Cooper
No, it's true. You need compatibility. Trust. Like, do you have a type? I don't think I have a type.
Avril Lavigne
But, like, someone who's at least, like, I think someone who's like me, who's, like, sporty, got a little rough around the edges, likes to have a good time, but is like, you know, a solid. I need someone who's, like, a solid that I can lean onto. Yeah. Oh, my God. Would you ever date, like, an athlete?
Alex Cooper
What about a hockey player? No, you're like, they're too. No. What about a guy from Canada that's in the NHL? Come on.
Wait, that's fucking perfect. No, we're done with the rappers.
Did you ever date Tyga? You're like, get out of here. Wait, does it annoy you that every time you upload something with Tyga, people are like, is this your announcement that you're dating or you don't care? Like, I didn't google myself. Is that what it says?
Yes, Melissa. It says you're like, bitch, you really believe it? I promise I don't. What does it take for a guy to impress you on a first date? I think I've changed a lot and my expectations and what I am looking for, because I've learned through my experiences, and I'm into something that's just stable, healthy, fun, just well rounded.
Yeah. What? Shit just sounds super cheesy. That's why I don't write love songs. Avril, this is good.
This is like therapy. Like, you can totally be happy and say happy thoughts, but then please keep writing bangers that make me cry. Although, like, girlfriend was, like, not pop. Well, that was actually not happy. That was actually dumb.
Avril Lavigne
It was just, like, sassy and cocky. I don't like your girlfriend I think you need a new one I could. Be your girlfriend oh, my God. I wrote that fucking song in two minutes. That chorus.
Literally two minutes. I was putting my book bag on, leaving the studio. It was 11:00 at night, and I was like, play me a riff. Cause we were borrowing. We had this amazing Les Paul, and I was talking to Luke, and I was like, yo, play me something like punk rock right now.
And he's like, darren and aaron a darn. And I was like, hey, you, I don't like a girlfriend. And he's like. And we're like, no way. And he's like, think you need a new one?
And I was like, hey, you. I could be a girlfriend. Literally. He puts the drums to it. Two minutes.
Wrote that, put it on a CD. That's what I was like. I got a CD put in my car, and I took it home. I was like, this is gonna be the song of the summer. It was, and I knew it.
And my body has done that to me. Like, with my happy ending. I say. We were in the studio, made a song. I came in after I was done singing it, sat down, they played me the song, and I was like.
I just got this entire feeling over my body, and I just like, I can't explain it. I was like. It was like, I knew it was big, but I wasn't like, this is a hit. Like, I didn't, like, talk like that, but I was like, this is gonna be, like, I could feel it. Like, I knew it was gonna be a big song for me.
The same with complicated laying in the grass in California one of my first trips and around the orange trees writing with Lauren, and we're, like, working on this song, and I just remember sitting on the floor and I'm like, I hear this on the radio. Like, I have these really strong feelings with, like, some of my big songs. Do you remember? I never had that feeling with a song that didn't, like. That's wild.
Yeah. Go to number one. When you came up with complicated, was that one where you were actually, like, experiencing it in your life or you were just like. I just was kind of like. It just felt right.
Alex Cooper
And I, like, came up with this verse and it worked. I had a couple weeks or a month with the matrix, and Lauren and I were just, like, getting blow dries and, like, getting cupcakes at Ralph's and, like, sitting in the backyard and just talking. I was just like, you know, like, I love skater boys, and this is the only type of guy I'm attracted to. I will literally walk down the street and I see someone wearing big, fat skate shoes, and I will look twice. You know, so it's like, our conversations and then, you know, them as a team working musically on stuff and us all getting together and just complicated.
Avril Lavigne
Skater boy, I'm with you those are the singles off the first album. Where were you when you wrote I'm with you? We were sitting on the piano. It was like, that one's hard. That was, like, one of those days where you're, like, getting in touch with the sad.
Like, more like depressed self, and that's okay. And people really connected with that song. And still to this day, that's, like, one of my favorite songs to perform live. It's fucking powerful. Like, even to me, 22 years later, I play that fucking shit on stage.
I'm seeing people, like, we're going from, like, all the pop rock songs. Everyone's, like, fist pumping and, like, losing their shit. I go into that tears. People are, like, moved, and it's like, you see all the different emotions. And that's why writing is important to me, because I'm so connected to the songs.
I think there's something with, like, my. Me being super authentic in the way that I dressed and wrote the songs and just the way I was and didn't give a fuck and wasn't calculated and it was all. And that people really were attracted to that and connected with that. Well, yeah, because when you look at someone in the industry, you can literally tell. And I'm not being rude, it's just obvious when someone has been constructed by these dance moves and this song and this.
Alex Cooper
I'm like, you didn't write that song. You wouldn't wear that. If a stylist, like, the stylist, put that on you, you can tell, like, you've been yourself since day one, and you've stuck up for what you believe in. Literally, from the fashion to your writing, to your sound, to your look. Like, thank God we got you a straightener.
Now you're happy. I want to see your girlfriend. I didn't want to think about what I was wearing today, and I was like, oh, my God, you have this really cool sweat line. It's called unwell. Yeah, that's so cool.
Avril Lavigne
I was like, oh, yeah, I just want to pull up and wear sweats. And instead, I just wore the shirt I was wearing before. I literally, for two days. I'm gonna suck. I'm obsessed.
Alex Cooper
I know. Cause when I thought you were gonna wear sweats, I was like, oh, my God, I would totally give you sweats. But this outfit is so cute. I would. I will put the sweats on and go home and veg in them for three days.
Avril Lavigne
Thank you. No, Avril, I just want to say thank you for coming, because, like, I had no idea what to expect, obviously, meeting you. I was, like, obviously hoping that we would hit it off, because, again, like, I'm such a huge fan, but it's fascinating, and it was incredible to meet you and to, like, listen to where you came from and your upbringing and your story and, like, how fucking talented you are. Like, the way that. I'm sorry.
Alex Cooper
Like, I could listen to you for ten more hours, talk about your songwriting process, because, again, like, we don't see that that often nowadays. I feel like a lot of people are just, like, very manufactured, and you are such an artist from the start to finish. I think this tour and this album is, like, I'm freaking out about it. So I can imagine all of your other fans are also freaking. What do you hope they take away from this tour when they come?
Avril Lavigne
It's just, like, for the fans that have been with me from day one, it's just, like, even for myself, it's just all the years and all the different eras and all the different phases in our lives, from, like, high school to this date to that date and connecting with the songs and, like, you hear a song and it takes you back. I even hear, like, one of my songs, and it takes me back to, like, that time of my life. It's like, it's been, you know, so long. It's been 22 years, and I feel like I have, like, another 22 ahead of me. But it's a journey of our lives.
It, like, takes us back to high school, college, like, this phase, that phase, that relationship this summer, that summer. And that's, like, the power and beauty in music is like, it can take you right back there. You can feel it all over again. I think it's just like a celebration of life, our lives, and remembering all the good times and music does that. And I think the shows are going to be super fun.
I'm stoked to be going back out on tour, my 7th world tour. And I'm so grateful to be from a tiny little town playing hockey and skateboarding and to have been able to write music and to have it be successful internationally and to have, like, to still be doing my thing today. I'm, like, looking forward to growing creatively and dipping my toes in the other creative waters and doing film and turning skater boy into a movie and all that other stuff. So I'm super grateful, but I just want everybody to have a good time, and most importantly, I want to have a good time. Last question.
Alex Cooper
What are the top three favorite songs for you that you're going to be performing? Like, if you had to pick? Oh, my own songs? Yeah, yeah, yeah. When you're going out there from the album and on this tour?
Like, what are your top three favorites to perform if you had to pick? I know that's hard. Well, it's funny. Cause there's no new songs, right? So, like, I definitely want to bring a cover song in.
Avril Lavigne
And I recently just met up with the Green Day boys and gave them an award at the I heart awards. And seeing them again, I was like, these guys are cool. Dukie was one of the first CDs like my brother and I had, and they're celebrating that right now. And so I definitely want to do a Green Day cover. And girlfriend is really fun.
I love. I'm with you. My happy ending. So good. And, of course, skater boy.
Alex Cooper
Skater boy. Boom. Avril, thank you so much. And maybe I'll put the tie on for you. Please send me a fucking picture.
Avril Lavigne
You have to come out to the LA show. Please. Oh, my God. That's when you're gonna wear it. Please.
Alex Cooper
Like, literally, please, like, make me feel so special. But you and your hubby should come to the show. Oh, my God. We would love to. I would love to come.
Thank you for coming on the show. You can go to bed now. I love you.
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