The Real Avril Lavigne [VIDEO]

What is up, daddy gang? It is your founding father, Alex Cooper. We call her Daddy.

And I've never done a podcast before.

Dude, cheers. Top, bottom, bottom, top, crisp, frog. I already feel so much cooler. I'm really, really happy you're here. I'm obsessed.

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. Obviously, I think what's so fun with songwriters and musicians is 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.

I usually don't really like interviews.

I get it. If I'm on it. No, it's fine.

It's never been my favorite thing to do, but you seem super cool, so I'm happy to be here.

We're just going to chill for an hour, and hopefully you don't hate me by the end of this. I promise it's going to be chill. Yeah.

Yeah, so it's like 22 years into my career now, which is super gnarly to even think about. I'm 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 celebrating my catalog. So I feel super stoked and lucky to still be doing my thing and loving it more than ever.

I just like 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, and it's a little young, Alex, fucking depressed, being 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. I need to see that.

See, the thing is, Avril, is my version of a music video. compared to the young kids on TikTok. now, they're hot and cool and wear cute outfits and know how to do contour. I was fucking busted with my little acne and braces, so they're not cute, okay? They're for my parents to see only and be like, you were.

On my first tour, I wanted to be like Green Day because I had gone to one of their shows and all of their songs were hit after hit after hit, just singles. It was just power all the way through. On my first tour, I only had three singles and the rest was just album tracks. For me, that just wasn't good enough. I wanted every song to be a banger.

Yeah, oh, that's true.

So we can play beer pong backstage, skateboard backstage, together, have barbecues backstage.

Didn't you have Simple Plan? come with you?

Yeah. So Simple Plan opened for me on my first tour back in 2002..

And you had All Time Low, too?

All Time Low.

Oh, my God. I was so obsessed with All Time Low. I was very, very obsessed with them at a point where I was like, this is concerning. I really thought I was going to marry one of them, and then I obviously didn't. No, I was obsessed.

Yeah, I'm from Canada.

What do you do to make it fun on tour? Give me an example.

I like touring with my friends and days off taking the bus to a campsite and going camping and going and pulling up into an RV site instead of going to a hotel and just sitting there staring at the ceiling like, what is my life? Seen way too many of those, way too long. I just go on Amazon and I get a bunch of fun. 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.

Do you have any pre-show rituals? Are you superstitious at all?

I'm just like mellow as fuck in the day, because, if you think about it, the show is around like 9 p.

I'm sorry about that. Someone came in and they're like, do you think you could lower? Oh, right. She's not awake. You're literally doing this asleep.

My time, even though the interview is at noon, my time was like 8 o'clock glam.

Stop.

Leave the house at 1030.

So not superstitious.

Yeah, no, I think I just like, what's important is that I do take care of myself before the show and then do the complete opposite after the show. So it's like sleep in, hopefully till 3 or noon on the early side. And then, like the show, that is like the gym session. It's a 90 minute set at like 9 o'clock at night. So that's when I have to like give it my all and be awake.

Or a noon person.

You're like, why am I here?

Can I take a quick nap? Alex, you just talk for the next hour.

You just hang on while I have some pizza.

No, but that makes sense, though, because I think that's, if anyone has a nighttime job, like you're sleeping in super late.

You have to bring it. It starts and then we don't go to bed till 6am because you get offstage, you're wired, you're amped, the adrenaline. And then, like bus call, buses, don't leave until like whatever, 3 o'clock. 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 for me, like that tour bus, that's my home.

Oh my God, I didn't even think you would be a Hello Kitty girl.

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 a Hello Kitty tour bus. But my room in, at my house, I have a room. Well, it used to be my bedroom. And it's a Hello Kitty bedroom.

When guys came over, would they like be a little freaked out to like have sex in that room?

Well, I wasn't, there wasn't a lot of guys. Okay, sorry. If a man. Relationships, long relationships. Right, right, right.

Are you getting on the stripper pool?

Oh, hell yeah.

Wait, you're good on a stripper pool? Wait, you need to teach me. What the fuck? How did you learn?

You just have a couple of those and wing it.

You have a couple beers and you're ready to go. Wow, a new talent. I guess. if I had 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 pool. You're welcome. What is one of the craziest like fan interactions you've ever had?

I got a wedding dress when I was like over in Korea. Bunny was thrown at me on my lap in like a bag, and I was like, what was this? It's warm. And I like opened it. I'm like, ah.

Yeah, because now that, like woman, will never see her wedding dress again.

No, it was like for me from a guy. Wait, what?

I thought you were saying like a woman gave you her wedding dress to like, take and sign. A man gave you a wedding dress?

Yeah, I guess that was a super forward way of proposing. Mm-hmm. So romantic. But it didn't have that effect on people.

I mean, literally.

Literally.

We'll get to that. Your style, can we talk about this for a minute? Because again, like when I was younger, I just remember so many moments in early 2000s. Trends were dictated by you, Queen. Your style was and is everything.

A big hoodie. Just like an oversized black hoodie.

OK, so that has like kind of changed. Because when I was younger, Avril, I remember it was the necktie.

The necktie.

But 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. 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.

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, like the sweatbands on your wrist you used to wear, which were so cool.

Yeah, it's crazy.

All the time. Yeah.

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 do a show. I'm like so obsessed.

It was so crazy. Like my first show, I was like 17.. And it was, I don't know where it was. It was in Vancouver somewhere. And it was sort of like a warm-up show they were putting together for me.

I will never forget that. Trust me. I thought about doing it. My mom was like absolutely fucking. not, Alex.

Yeah. It kind of just like came together. I didn't like think about it or anything.

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 at each other and been 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, I'd show up at whatever magazine to shoot and they wanted to put me in stuff that like I was very afraid of, like blouses.

It worked out phenomenally. I want to go back a little bit to your childhood, because I think, like 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 5,000 people. How would you describe your childhood like before you were famous?

Normal as fuck. And I'm like grateful for that because, like I came out at like a really young age, and I'm glad that I had like a normal, steady, like solid childhood. I played a lot of sports. I was on the hockey team. The guys hockey team.

How the fuck did you get on to 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 peewee, and then peewee is when there's body contact, and that's when I wasn't allowed to play anymore. But then by that time, I was in grade 9, like my first year of high school, and they had a girls team in the high school, so I tried out for that. I almost said audition.

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 out of the tournament because someone got caught drinking in the hotel room, and someone ratted her out.

No, Avril.

And my parents were just so mad at me. It was like, I did drugs or something, which I've never done, by the way, and it was like, I had done something so terrible. It's like, who cares? Of course, I'm away from my parents. I'm in a hotel.

Stop. Did you make friends with all the guys when you were playing with guys, or were you the odd man out and people would make fun of you?

My whole life, I've been friends with guys all in school, and we would get in real fights. I'm a good blocker.

Did your parents ever be like, why don't you have any girlfriends? Should we invite Rebecca over? 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, there was no bedroom. It was the middle floor. They monitored it.

I played hockey too, and my brother played hockey. You did? Yes. What position? Well, first of all, I was not that great.

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.

And you'd take the sticks and burn them over the stove.

Yes, yes. Oh, my God. And I think people were like, what are you guys doing in your basement? And we're like, we're playing mini hockey.

Living our best lives.

Literally. Thriving. And it was so fun.

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 sport that makes you really fucking tough. It does. And you just learn to 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 the pads. And you wake up. And just skating alone is so hard. Oh, my God.

Oh, my God. I remember. I want, because my husband is from LA, and I so badly just want to take him ice skating, even if it's during Christmas time around the little fucking pond, OK? Because he's so good at sports, but he does not know how to ice skate. So I'm like, watch me backwards skate.

Are you awesome on skates?

I'm really good.

Me too.

We should go skate. Yes, let's do it.

We're in LA. I can skate backwards.

Yes.

Crossover. Yes. 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 going to have to hold your hand or hold on to the rails the whole time? Bitch, I'm going to be holding you. I know Matt's going to be falling, and I'm going to be holding him. I just don't know if I want to take him because I may get the ick.

Make sure he's ready for that.

No, literally. So you had a pretty normal upbringing, which I'm happy you're talking about, because you're playing sports. You're hanging.

I babysat. I shoveled driveways. I mowed lawn.

Oh, my God.

And did the whippersnapper. The weed whacker.

The whippersnapper.

I put flyers out.

Stop.

I cleaned houses.

You did it all.

I worked at a fried chicken place.

How was that?

And then I got fired.

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.

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 a fried chicken ass, all in a small town, Napoli.

Wait, that was about him? Yeah. Shut the fuck up.

And, like, I heard, after they, like, took the lyrics of my song and, like, framed it and put it up in the store. You're like, fuck.

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, 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 those chicken fuckers? I talk about. my hair is actually so curly. Like, no one knows that. It is?

You're trying to literally, like,

pin it to your head. So then she got me, my producer got me a flat iron, actually, yeah, for my birthday. And then it was game over. Everyone just thinks I have stick-straight hair. Because it's, like, never.

It's so straight. Yeah. It's so straight. Like, your first album, I remember, because my hair is so naturally straight, that I was like, oh my, 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.

Avril. Dude, if you saw my hair, it's like, poof. It's, like, so curly. I hate it.

No.

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. I don't want this shit.

But my hair's so thick, so when I do get a blow-dry, it's like, poof, 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?

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 August. So I 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. I was, like, walking down the hallway. I was like, ah, singer girl.

You got famous at 17 years old. Yeah. Like, big, big fame. So I'm a high school dropout. Love.

Me too. I went to New York and I started making my first album. My friends were all doing, um, what are those things called? The exams. Oh.

The shit I didn't have to do?

Is it an exam? Like, SATs? What's the thing at the end? Yeah. Yeah, an exam.

Right? You're like, fuck.

This better work. Because I feel like you're a quite confident person. Like, did you have any insecurities back then?

No. I was like,

just like tomboy, liked hanging out with, the guys, loved music, um, and then, you know, like, 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, so, like, 14, 15, I was like, I'm not really feeling these songs anymore. So, I, like, went through a phase where it was like, I, it could have gone, you know, I was at a crossroads. It could have been like, okay, I'm not gonna sing anymore.

No.

I'm not that old. That's one of the fucking lyrics in the song. So, I was like, I know I was writing by 14.. That's amazing. Yeah, so, and then I got into high school and then I discovered, like, Green Day and Noah, Facts, Blink-182, and I was like, yes!

That first, like, sound and style, like, I remember, I was reading somewhere you really described it as, like, pretty, like, angsty. And, like, you, coming across as, like, a quite, like, chill, happy person. Like, were you actually feeling a lot of those emotions? Because, like, some of the songs are really fucking sad because, trust me, I cried to them when I was growing up. So, like, 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, 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 in your first break up 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 would probably just end up being, like, that day, what I was feeling.

Is this my past life? Are your parents ever, like, what the fuck, April? Are you okay?

Not really, but they were, like, they didn't like the swearing. They were a little, like, you know, the clothes, but, like, they get it. My mom, when I was two, she was, like, she knew I was going to be a singer, like, came home from church. She's, like, she's,

Were you always confident getting on a stage? Like, are you, like, I feel like you're not, you were. Yeah.

dream, though, where I'm on stage.

and I can't remember the words.

Why have I been doing that lately?

Wait, stop. I know I'm confident.

on stage. It's, like,

You never even thought about it. Yeah. It's, nothing. Yeah. That's incredible.

okay, and then, when I sang with Shania on stage, it was in front of, like, 20,000 people in this arena, like, and I packed. I was 14, and I, all I felt, like, over my whole body was, 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, holy fuck, like, would you turn to, your mom? Like, who was your go-to person to, freak out with? I still, like,

have them all the time. Wow. Just, like, if I'm just, walking and 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.

I don't know. I love wherever I am,

and I hear myself on the radio.

it's, it's definitely like, damn,

bitch!

You made it! You did. Like, small town. No connections. I don't know how I did it.

It was.

A lot of hard work.

But it's really interesting to hear you talking about your songwriting process, because you're so talented. Thanks. 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, like, it's, Right?

I kind of felt that way too, but like, I was also like, okay, I'm gonna write this about this, like, girl that I know, or like, 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.

That's a really healthy way to look at it, because I feel like that's a unique perspective. Yeah. 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, chilling. Like,

I get followed every time, not every time, but I get followed when I leave my house. I don't know how, 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, 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?

That's, I mean, I am really pleased by your answer. Like, there is no right or wrong answer. 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 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, and that's part of it. Like, how fucking cool is that? That? like, people know who I am.

So fucking true.

So I think when people meet me, like,

Yeah, I mean, just now, trying to think about it, because I think when you were younger, I really, and I was younger, I channeled like, oh, this girl's sad and angry. Like, because, I know,

it was like angry Avril. 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 spot, and so I'm like, fuck you. I wish I got my extra 20 and my other paycheck. I think it's, I do think, though, I don't take back, though, like, I loved how deep those songs were and angsty they were, because I felt like a lot of people needed that type of music back then.

I mean, I went through it all, and I was like a teenager and feeling the feels, and I was definitely like, and like, emo, and like, going through it, and like, feeling it all, and, um, 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 like, not that cool. I'm kind of going to do that right now, where I'm like, I don't know what to write about, because like, it's just like, that's the thing, it's like, an intense emotion, like, Head Above Water, was like a really dark, heavy song for me, like, kind of like, near-death experience, like, one of the hardest things I've ever gone through in my life, but like,

Are you referencing when you got sick?

Yeah.

Okay. And that was for like, kind of like, what, two plus years of your life? You were like, in bed?

Yeah. It was like, I was kind of like, bedridden for a couple years, and like, and then, like, you know, you gotta get like, stronger coming out of that, and that's something that, like, rocks you pretty hard, but like, I'm really grateful to be like, on the other end of that. Yeah. And, so that was like a really, um, in, I'll think twice about, uh, riding the dirt bikes out in the woods, Stop. on the east coast next time.

Because it was Lyme's disease. Yeah,

it was all I did, it 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, because 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 having, 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. Um, but on, like, my last album, Love Sucks, it was like, much lighter, um, even though it was like, little boy bashing, and like, poking fun at like, love and stuff, it was, I kind of like, putting in 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, 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, and I don't really like, want it to be like, that dark. I say that, means nothing at all, because tomorrow I could write, I could go write a,

I think that's something that I,

you just never know. Like with, it's like when I, when I'm in the kitchen, and I'm cooking, I don't know what I'm cooking, and it turns into what it turns into, I get a canvas I love to paint, I have no idea what I'm doing, I'm like, oh, that looks cool, that could go on the wall, that one, not so much.

Totally, no,

it's when you write a song, sometimes, like, you, can be intentional with an album, go in and be like, this is my vibe, or you can, just like, wing it, write, and just see what kind of, comes out, and gets put together.

I think that some people may not know, like, I love that you said like, when you walked into those meetings, people were like, how is like, a 15, 16 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, 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, Kelly Clarkson's Breakaway, on The Greatest Hits Tour.

That would be fucking, amazing. But how did you decide to get rid of it? it's,

I just like, wasn't feeling it. Yeah. 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 like, growing, being from a small town, and taking a chance, and like, 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, like, what would you answer, before I ask you?

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 a day. But then other people are like, you know, there's a conspiracy theory,

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, so it's like,

we're good.

Avril, 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? Yeah, it could. No, you could be getting, online bullies.

obviously 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. Yeah. You, sitting across from me, you are Melissa.

my second album? Like, I don't even know. Like, I think like, from the beginning-ish, 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. Really? I think, like, other people have that.

I feel like yours is like, really prominent. Oh,

I mean, I feel like, you might believe us.

I'm honestly the one,

that started the conspiracy theory.

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. 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.

Yeah.

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. Thank you. Let's talk about your love life.

I never really did, the dating thing. 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 love that.

Um, I cook. I'm a really big cook. Really big into like, the house, and decorating, and I have like, 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.

And there will be, Hello Kitty, and stripper poles.

And there will be, matching tattoos, involved. All of my tattoos, were drunk tattoos. And like, 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.

Yeah, I, like the, the skater boy star, was my first tattoo. I was 19. And then,

Do your parents have tattoos?

All my tattoos are, Oh, I have tattoos on my hips. Um, No, I think I'm the only one in the family, really, with a bunch of tattoos. My dad had a couple. Okay.

Um, what is the hardest lesson, you've ever learned about love?

I mean, I definitely went through my like, jaded phase, um, with the, my previous album called, Love Sucks. Um, and I, had, gone into a, place of, all right, I'm just gonna like, 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.

That's amazing. Yeah. Have you ever been cheated on?

Have I been with a male before? No. Then the answer is yes.

I appreciate that. Um, I think a lot of people, stay in things, because they're like, nervous to start over. I think that's like, a really normal feeling, especially for women. It's like,

Yeah, people are fearful.

Fearful. Do you have any advice, of like, how to know when to move on, and like, how to get yourself out of something, that's like, maybe comfortable, but you know you need to like, be on your own, and be single?

It's hard when you're in something, because, like, you're in it, so, you know, it's a big deal, to leave a relationship, to, to, change is hard, to have to step out. It requires a lot, you know, and some people can't see like, that, that clearly. It's like, always easier, once you're, um, 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, you're not happy, it's, 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.

Facts. Thank you. Um, are you seeing anyone right now?

Chris,

top, bottom, bottom, top, Chris,

top.

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, 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 Maddy's like a freak, and like, it was bad, and beer ponging, and everything.

So, like, any day, any time, any time in California, you could be a beer drinker.

Absolutely, exactly. Pennsylvania.

You should come to my house in Malibu, we'll have a beer day. We'll have a beer. And play beer pong.

And you'll answer some of my questions, off camera. Yeah.

Oh, honey, if you only knew. Avril, you're giving us blue eyes.

Blue balls. Okay, what do you, okay, so you may be seeing someone, what do you look for in a partner?

Um, 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 going to get along, so like, you're going to argue. Um, so compatibility, obviously, it all just sounds 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.

They're so simple and cliche,

and basic, but that's what you need. No, it's true. You need compatibility, trust, like.

Do you have a type? I don't think I have a type,

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 has, is, like, you know, a solid. I need someone who's like a solid, that I can lean on to. Yeah.

Oh my god, would you ever date like an athlete? What about a hockey player? No. You're like, they're too.

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 that.

You're like,

bitch, you really believe that? 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 in my expectations and what I am looking for because I've like,

Yeah.

this shit just sounds super cheesy. That's why I don't write love songs.

this is good. This is like therapy. Like, you can totally be happy and say happy thoughts, but then like, please keep writing bangers, that like make me cry. Like,

please. Although like,

girlfriend was like, not pop, well, that was actually not happy. That was actually dark.

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.

I wrote that fucking song.

in two minutes, that chorus. Literally two minutes. So good. I was like putting my book bag on, leaving the studio. It was like 11 o'clock at night and I was like, play me a riff because we were borrowing, um, we had this like amazing Les Paul, and I was, I was talking to Luke and I was like, yo, play me something like punk rock right now and he's like, and I was like, hey, you, I don't like your girlfriend and he's like, and we're like, no way.

we,

we're in the studio, made a song. I came in and 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, 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.

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 and I like, came up with this verse and it worked.

I would, I had like, 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. and 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 was like, our conversations and then, you know, them as a team working musically on stuff and us all getting together and just, complicated. 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 heartbreaking. That was like, one of those days where you're like, getting in touch with the sad, like, more like, depressed, like, self, and that's, that's okay. and you know, people, you know, 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.

Well, yeah, because when you look at someone in the industry, you can literally tell, like, and I'm not being like, rude, it's just obvious when someone has been like, constructed by like, these dance moves and this song and this, this. 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 wanna see your green hair.

I didn't wanna think about what I was wearing today and I was like, oh my God, you have this really cool like, sweatline. It's called Unwell.

Yeah.

That's so cool. I was like, oh yeah, I just wanna like, pull up and like, wear sweats and instead I just wore the like, shirt I was like, wearing the night before. I literally had to do for two days. I'm obsessed. I'm obsessed.

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 will put the sweats on and go home and veg in them for three days. Thank you. No,

Avril, I just wanna 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, like, I could listen to you for 10 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.

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.

Last question, what are the top three favorite songs for you that you're gonna be performing? Like, if you had to pick three.

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 because there's no new songs. Right. So, like, I definitely want to bring a cover song in, and I recently just met up with the Green Day boys and gave them an award at the iHeart Awards, and it's like, seeing them again, I was like, these guys are cool. Dookie was one of the first CDs like, my brother and I had and like, they're celebrating that right now. and so, like, I definitely want to do a Green Day cover.

Boom. Avril, thank you so much.

And maybe I'll put the tie on for you.

Please.

Send me a fucking picture. And you have to come out to the LA show.

Please. Only if that's when you're going to wear it. Please. Like, literally, please. Like, make me feel so special.

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.