(Reuters) (04/06/04)

By Scott Pattison

Edited By Michael Bennett

EDMONTON, ALBERTA, CANADA - Canadian rocker ALANIS MORISSETTE didn't bare her breast like Janet Jackson, but she did bare her soul Sunday night at Canada's annual music awards, demonstrating her disdain for what she called "hypocritical U.S. censorship."

Hosting the 2004 Juno Awards ceremonies, Canada's version of the Grammys, Morissette disrobed on stage to reveal a skin-colored, naked body suit with nipples and pubic hair.

As part of the skit, Morissette was then told by the show's assistant-director that "actually, we can't show nipples or pubic hair on national TV," at which time the Ottawa-born singer pulled off the fake body parts.

The satirical act, says Morissette, was aimed at U.S. government institutions for over-reacting to cultural, free expression, as a result of the fallout surrounding Janet Jackson's Super Bowl faux pas, when her breast was accidentally exposed to millions of television viewers.

"As you may or may not be aware, recently in the United States, I ran into a little problem with regards to a lyric in one my songs," Morissette told the near-sellout audience of 17,000, referring to her latest release titled, "Everything," which includes the lyrics, "I can be an a--hole of the grandest kind."

"It was requested that I change a word in the first verse. Well, I am overjoyed to be back in my homeland, the true North... strong and censor-free."

American radio stations threatened recently to ban the song, forcing Morissette to change the controversial word to "nightmare."

Asked tongue-in-cheek if Jackson should be granted cultural refugee status in Canada, Morissette responded: "Now that's a good idea."

The big winner at Canada's 2004 Juno awards was Montreal rocker Sam Roberts, who captured Best Artist Of The Year, Best Album Of The Year for "We Were Born in a Flame" and Best Rock Album Of The year honors.

Other winners included pop singer Nelly Furtado, who took home Best Single Of The Year for 'Powerless (Say What You Want),' Sarah McLachlan, who captured Best Songwriter Of The Year, crooner Michael Buble, who won Best New Artist Of The Year, and Nickelback, who walked off with two awards, including Best Group Of The Year and the Fans' Choice honor.

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