Olivia Rodrigo is the biggest thing to happen to the music industry since… Taylor Swift, probably. Or maybe Lorde or Billie Eilish. Olivia’s “Drivers License” became a huge hit, and people are obsessed with her full album, Sour (and the second single, “Deja Vu”). Olivia made a concert film called Sour Prom, and the promotional images for the concert film have Olivia dressed up like a sad prom queen, complete with messy, running eye makeup and a tiara. Well, Courtney Love believes that Olivia has copied the look from Hole’s album cover for Live Through This, which featured a sad prom queen too. Courtney is demanding Olivia send her flowers and a note of apology for it.
Courtney Love has called out Olivia Rodrigo for allegedly “stealing an original idea” from her. The former Hole singer brought to light the similarities between the cover art of the band’s 1994 album, Live Through This, and Rodrigo’s new promotional photos for her upcoming Sour Prom Concert Film on social media.
“Spot the difference! #twinning! @oliviarodrigo,” Love, whose name was trending on Twitter throughout the day on Sunday (June 27), first quipped on Instagram on Thursday (June 24). She included a winking face and two queen emojis. Rodrigo left a single comment on Love’s post: “love u and live through this sooooo much.”
“Olivia – you’re welcome. My favorite florist is in Notting Hill, London! Dm me for deets! I look forward to reading your note!” Love replied to the “Drivers License” singer. Billboard reached out to representatives for both Love and Rodrigo for further comment on Sunday. Love’s mention of flowers and a note was in reference to thoughts she was simultaneously leaving on her official Facebook page, where she continued the conversation about Rodrigo over the weekend.
“it was rude of her , and geffen not to ask myself or Ellen von unwerth . It’s happened my whole career so I d c . But manners is manners !” Love said in reply to one follower on Facebook. Geffen Records is Rodrigo’s current record label, and Unwerth was the photographer behind the cover of Live Through This. In another Facebook comment, Love said, “Stealing an original idea and not asking permission is rude. There’s no way to be elegant about it . I’m not angry . It happens all the time to me.”
“But this was bad form,” she noted. “That’s not bullying or bomb throwing . This persons music has nothing to do with my life . Possibly never will . It was rude And I gave every right to stick up for my work . Don’t gatekeep me ! I’m honorable as f— to my fellow artists , and I expect the same .”
“It’s on GEFFEN,” Love added in another comment thread. “I’ve informed her I await her flowers snd note . I sure hope it’s long . Does Disney teach kids reading and writing ? God knows. Let’s see . Yes this is rude. Rage inducing ? Honey if I had a dollar for everyone this happens ? I’d be real rich !”
People were mad about this and they were arguing on Twitter over the weekend. Before this happened, Olivia had posted some “inspo” photos on her IG Stories and one of the inspos was the film version of Carrie, with Sissy Spacek as the bullied, telekinetic prom queen. Carrie was clearly one of the main inspirations for Courtney as well, and it’s not like Courtney “owns” the prom queen visual. That being said… while Courtney was rude, I actually think she has somewhat of a point? It’s clear that the Hole cover probably was one of Olivia’s inspirations too? It’s clear from Olivia’s comment on Love’s IG that Olivia is familiar with the album, so we can’t really argue “it was clearly way before Olivia’s time.” IDK. The Live Through This cover was iconic. Live Through This was released in 1994. Olivia was born in 2003. Just FYI.
not courtney love thinking olivia “stole” her idea when olivia literally posted these pictures on her story hinting towards her inspo for her Sour prom concert film pic.twitter.com/VyNdnN4k9Y
— livy (@whiteflowersz) June 27, 2021
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Instagram.
Carrie is a movie and this is about music album covers and related art… I’m with Courtney on this one.
Same here. Especially with the comment about how much she loved that Hole album.
Share about Carrie coming 20 years before Hole
Im just here to say
Lets not forget about comedienne Julie Brown
Who had the Weird Al type song
Every Body run The Homecoming queen has got a gun
from…If I’m remembering correctly definitely before HOLE right?
I appreciate CL asking for a nod or shout out
bc OR is sooooooooooo Drew and CL and L7 and Luscious Jackson and MAD LOVE and 90s grunge ish
But Court— someone can be derivative but still— an artist
OR is 19? LET HER GROW!!!
My mind went to Hole immediately, but that is because I lived through that. I don’t know if a crying prom queen is that unique an image.
I don’t think Olivia meant any harm, but I completely understand Courtney’s frustration. Olivia has cited Hole as an influence before. This is definitely a reference. Hole was the blueprint and they don’t get enough credit. People need to realize! Love both of them.
Yeah, been listening to Hole again recently. Definitely holds up.
I think it would have been really funny if Olivia had been like “Hole who? Oh, yeah, I think my mom used to listen to them.”
@D7 maybe she didn’t mean any harm – but his certainly isn’t the first time she’s been accused of copying or her songs sounding VERY similar to other artists. Between Paramore, Elvis Costello, Taylor Swift, The Arctic Monkeys etc etc. at some point it does make you wonder. She seems to be heavily “inspired” by other artists. And I mean it definitely can play into the rapid success she’s had when her songs remind people of other peoples hit songs – that said it’s not like Olivia is writing all of this on her own. I think she’s had a co-writer for all but maybe one or two songs on her album. I suspect there’s been some very very calculated marketing at play here, and maybe some very specific attempts to really win with algorithms on streaming platforms in order to catapult her to this degree.
Yeah I was with her with the first tweet, but all the additional snide comments are ridiculous and she needs to take all the seats. A crying prom queen simply is not that unique.
Courtney Love needs to get the fuck over herself and take it as a compliment. She hasn’t been relevant in years and I say this as Hole fan.
Yeah. It’s definitely possible she didn’t know the Hole record, but even if she did, Jesus, Courtney is obnoxious.
I’m firmly not a Courtney or Hole fan with exception to a few decent songs for 90s nostalgia purposes. And i don’t see how Courtney is out of line here.
Another album cover ripping off your imagery? Like painting Warhol’s Soup can from a different angle and claiming it as your own after saying how much you liked his soup can.
End of the day I’m a fan of neither so I couldn’t be more unbiased. I’m just seeing this for what it is.
@Wiglet it’s funny you go to the soup can, because the point of that was that he was stealing Campbell’s imagery. I feel like a person has every right to paint it from a different angle and claim it as their own, just as Courtney doesn’t own the rights to prom queen imagery.
Wiglet, maybe Campbell’s wasn’t the best example!
I was obsessed with Live Through This in the 90s and I always thought it was a beauty pageant queen, not a prom queen. I even copied it for a Halloween costume. I wouldn’t think to dissect what kind of queen it is, but now Courtney is making me. 😄 Anyway, that album continues to be amazing.
So because Courtney took a pic like that in 1994 she owns all imagery of a crying prom queen forever, and anyone else who makes an image of a crying prom queen until the end of time is “stealing” from her? I don’t think so.
+1
I don’t think this image would have compelled Love to comment publicly if Rodrigo’s sound had not borrowed so heavily from early to mid-90s women rock bands. It’s clear that Hole is a big influence on her style. Just provide citation.
+1 between the cover and good for u, 90s were a big influence. Live Through This is an iconic 90s album including cover art.
Courtney is an abrasive hot mess. It’s just who she is but doesn’t take away from her contribution to the era and pop culture.
THIS! It’s a clear rip off Hole, her sound rips early 90’s rock as well. Rodrigo lacks the originality of Billie Eilish or Lorde. That said Courtney’s reaction is way over the top toxic and messy.
And OWES HER FLOWERS.
That’s the best part! It’s CLASSIC snotty, bratty, messy, selfish, ’90’s Courtney.
From ENGLAND.
DId Courtney steal it from Steven King? Cause Carrie was 10 years before Courtney’s album
Courtney has never had an original thought in her head. Her while look was copied from Kat Bjelland. She herself said the album cover was inspired by “Carrie.” She needs to have a few seats.
This doesn’t seem like it merits an apology even if it was directly inspired by Hole. Riffing on stuff from 20 years ago is a normal part of artistic development, and Courtney has herself been in photos that used others as inspiration.
This is where I land, too. If the album came out a few years ago, I might feel differently, but the 90s are history, and historical inspiration, to young artists (much in the same way that Hole was inspired by its punk predecessors).
I don’t remember Courtney (Hole) asking “permission” from Debbie Harry (Blondie). Or Nancy Spungen (Sid and Nancy). The punk bleached blonde with running black eyeliner parodying the American prom queen ideal does NOT start in the 90s.
Tolly
If someone used a baby swimming naked underwater as an album cover this would be more accepted as a copy of the album cover. To go back further Just like the Beatles walking on a sidewalk has been done in different styles with loads of variations and is still found to be a copy because of the basic concept.
I do not like hole of Courtney, but we’re not talking about long and forgotten art that was not relevant or iconic at its time.
I don’t think Rodrigo’s image is original, I just don’t think it warrants an apology. Neither do any of the numerous variations on the Beatles album covers, or Andy Warhol’s work. Ideas get recycled or spoofed or reinterpreted all the time BECAUSE they are iconic (Nirvana’s Nevermind cover included). As I said above, even Hole recycled a lot of snarling girl-punk imagery and sounds from the 70s.
I don’t know much about any of these people’s music, but my impartial, ignorant eye sees the similarities immediately. The only question is, was it tribute enough to copy a classic without acknowledgment – or does it make Courtney feel old.
This is the latest reiteration of this image, which, if we traced it, may go back to Mary Magdalene. It actually would be interesting to trace its evolution. In that way, it is nice to recognize your predecessors.
I’m not religious but lol whuttt
So what I can see from this drama is that the person who should be all “Run me my check!” is in fact Stephen King? When I first saw Olivia’s pic I immediately went to Carrie.
Me too. And Julie Brown’s The Homecoming Queen’s Got a Gun, which came out a decade before Live Through This
… to me, art is built on top of art. It seems like she was influenced but not directly copying. Olivia has lots of influences. Was she supposed to credit this 27-year-old cover in her IG caption? Courtney is coming off like a jerk here IMO.
My thoughts exactly. If your piece is used as a springboard, take it as a compliment. These images aren’t identical, and the sad/angry prom queen concept doesn’t belong to one person.
Kinda agree with Courtney but the snide comments are rude and does Olivia have to send an apology note? NO
I agree, there’s definitely copying/inspiration happening here, but Courtney could have handled it a lot better. Which is true for many things she does.
Courtney needs attention to survive. Music was a vehicle for her fame quest way back when and now that she doesn’t perform anymore, she’s found an easier way to attempt relevancy.
+1
100%
And maybe it means I’m not a feminist or whatever, but I’ve always thought Hole made sh–ty music. There I said it.
When I first saw this I thought “wow, exactly like hole’s cover.” Tbh though, it’s the art director who copied hole. As if Olivia designed the whole concept herself. A massive crew of people designed and delivered it.
yup and that was Petra F. Collins
THIS! Generally all these cool images and themes we see are not from the brain of the musical artist, but of the Art Directors and Photographers they work with.
I am sure they collaborate with the performer, and I assume some performers have more input than others. I certainly can’t say for sure that Courtney didn’t specify wanting a crying beauty queen on her cover, and I also can’t say for certain that Olivia didn’t ask for “a crying prom qeen, similar to Hole’s LTT cover”. But it is very possible that both of those women merely signed off on concepts that someone else brought them. So the whole thing becomes even more ridiculous.
I mean, ultimately it WAS Courtney’s cover, whether the entire idea was hers, or her art director pitched it. But it seems odd to try to own something like that.
Courtney still remains nasty, messy and rude. Continuing to demand flowers and a note is so b*tchy. Go throw a temper tantrum somewhere else girl.
I lived through the 90s. Yes this concept does borrow inspiration from Hole’s work. However Courtney Love is so dysfunctional and always has been. I don’t think she can help it. It’s just who she is.
I agree that Hole was obviously an insipiration (especially when you listen to the first song on the album) and they should’ve sent a heads up
but the additional comments Courtney made…
This may be a tad depressing to voice but sometimes I feel like most “original” ideas have already been done…between music and art and fashion and movies, I don’t know, I guess I see both sides. Not sure the snark makes Courtney look good. I remember seeing Madonna’s (valid) criticism of Lady Gaga’s similarities to her as looking…bitterish? It’s tough, there are only so many high school (which is clearly OR’s domain right now) images and tropes, right?
I had an advertising professor who always said “there are no new ideas.” And had so many examples of students over the years coming up with the exact same concepts and ideas, people that were years apart so would likely have never seen each other’s work. The older I get the more I feel this is true.
Madonna also accused Gwen Stefani of stealing her look in the 90’s. Because Madonna totally invented platinum hair and red lips. /s
Lady Gaga’s Born this Way sounds almost identical to Madonna’s Express yourself – at least to me. I’m sure growing up listening to and watching Madonna influenced her, as someone else influenced Madonna. And Madonna’s whole look in that era was Jean Harlow and the platinum blonde bombshells, so accusing Gwen of copying is pretty rich.
Eh…I’m not sure Rodrigo and her team needed *permission* from Love but at least include the reference image on IG, mention Hole because LTT is an obvious reference, intentional or unintentional.
What’s celebitches’ favorite song from Live Through This?
I love Doll Parts but also love Rock Star.
The whole Live Through This album is incredible. It’s been one of my favorites since I was a teen. Asking for it and Credit in the Straight World and Violet are probably my faves.
IMO the influence is obvious but Olivia is lacking the punch of the original. She and this cover are weak sauce compared to Hole and the raw power that was Love in the 90s.
Courtney should relax.
Yes, I was going to chime in that Hole and Olivia Rodrigo are night and day different. I find Rodrigo pretty contrived, I have a hard time listening to her vocals. Maybe it’s the difference in eras but Hole was so much more raw and real, imo.
I’m gonna be obvious and say Softer, Softest, never get tired of that one. I know it’s on Clebrity Skin, but one of my all times favourites is Playing Your Song, it’s a shame that Courtney is so problematic, Hole was a great band that doesn’t get the credit they deserve.
Artists always inspire each other and this is no different. Olivia is a fan of Hole and yes, this is definitely referencing them, in addition to Carrie, etc. Perhaps the label should’ve given her a heads up this was happening or Olivia should’ve included the cover in her inspo post, but the way Courtney is going about this is so rude and abrasive. They don’t need her permission to create crying prom queen imagery.
It seems like some people get a little too excited to knock successful new female artists down a peg at the first sign of a hiccup. Courtney should’ve taken care of this privately if she felt she must.
Team Olivia just because Courtney is the worst. No apology would ever be good enough for her anyway & she never credits those she has copied or helped her in the past.
Courtney is a dumpster fire, but I do see her point. Olivia was clearly inspired by LTT, and it would have been kind to say so. Women in entertainment are granted a significantly shorter shelf life than male performers and are put through a lot more crap. I love to see newer artists cite their influences, which could introduce them to a whole new generation. The Fugees covering “Killing Me Softly” and being so reverent to Roberta Flack introduced me to her ouvre, for example. I don’t think Olivia “owes” Courtney anything, but I do think acknowledging the influences that bring ya is the right thing to do.
I dislike Courtney on so many levels but ‘Live Through This’ is a compelling album and was one of the most iconic moments in music in the 90’s so yeah; she should have given a little credit where it’s due or at least the photographer and artistic director should have. That said, Courtney demanding flowers and a note from a 20 year old (or however old this kid is) is not a good look. I’ll add, “teenage tragedy” songs about proms gone wrong, losing teenage loves to violent car wrecks, etc was a style of music that was popularized in the late 1950’s-early 60’s, (i.e.-the song ‘Last Kiss’ 1961) so in that regard, crying at the drive in so to speak and the concept of “the crying prom queen” is pretty old (?) right?
definitely not original
It’s really the art director’s fault for not explaining appropriation to Rodrigo. That said Madonna and Beyoncé copy ALL THE TIME and no one says anything. No one owns the sad prom Queen visual.
My thoughts exactly, Olivia might be young and naive (whatever, I think Hole was an influence for her) however I’m sure she works with a team of older people who definitely knew the cover of Live through this.
I know most comments are dismissive of Courtney, but her annoyance is valid in the context of the post-Gaga visions of pop culture, where artists, their fans/stans, and the industry alike foster this belief in “originality.” I remember how toxic the early days of Lady Gaga’s fame was, esp since she rose to prominence on the claims that Christina Aguilera copied the then-unknown Gaga. And from there, female pop stars built this image of being 100% iconic in their own right, and their fanbase and anti-stans nitpicked at any hint of “copying” that would sully their rep as an original. Now Gen Z artists and fans have little to no concept of inspiration and pop culture references being “okay.” I have seen Gen Z even attack old songs from the 90s for “copying” because the concept of sampling is completely foreign to them. Courtney being miffed is not illogical, in the context of how hard she worked to not be viewed as Kurt Cobain’s widow but an artist in her own right, the ageism of pop culture, and stan culture destroying how artists reflected and built on each other.
She was desperately trying not to be seen as Kurt’s widow long before his death
Even Nirvana copied Pixies. This is all normal and not worth getting too worked up about.
It’s true and Killing Joke (go listen to the song ‘Eighties’ by Killing Joke for an overt Nirvana rip) but didn’t Nirvana say on several occasions they were influenced by Pixies? I think they made consistent references to bands that inspired their sound in interviews. It was all a combination of post-punk and new wave that had been popular throughout the 80s combining with the Pacific Northwest garage sound which became known as grunge, but in reality, these influences and sounds were there, but there was a visual and artistic direction to packaging them which felt very “new” when Nirvana emerged.
That is true, but people still acted like it was all brand new. On the flipside, I don’t see anyone saying Olivia’s photoshoot is innovative or groundbreaking, so who is it truly hurting?
1. Did Kat Bjelland ever get flowers and a note?
2. That’s not Courtney Love on the cover of the Hole album. It’s Leilani Bishop.
3. Courtney’s own words about the album cover: “(we) wanted to capture the look on a woman’s face as she’s being crowned… this sort of ecstatic, blue eyeliner running, kind of ‘I am, I am—I won! I have hemorrhoid cream under my eyes and adhesive tape on my ass, and I had to scratch and claw and fuck my way up, but I won Miss Congeniality!'”
For real, Courtney needed to send flowers and a note to Kat Bjelland and the ghost of Nancy Spungen…
100% – if this is Courtney’s concept of how the world works, she owes Kat way more than flowers and a note.
Courtney is right here, it’s quite obvious. Exact same vibe, concept and similar colour palette.
#teamcourtney
Team slag who slept with another womans husband and took 10 years and then bragged about it
Courtney had two ways to play this. One is throw a s*** fit and sound like you’re still a complete narcissistic mess, which is what she did, and the other is to feel vindicated that your music has stood the test of time inspiring a new generation of women singers, revel in the personal satisfaction of that, and thank Rodrigo for referencing Hole in her album cover.
Yep, she could have been elder statesperson about it, but she chose to be an ass, because she’s an ass.
This is what I don’t get. I understand how difficult it is for women in the industry, but she could have taken this as a compliment and turned it into something positive. Instead, she got all shitty and demanded flowers (from a florist in London?!) from a 20 year old girl who is obviously a fan of her work. LTT stands the test of time and should get the credit it deserves as a classic, groundbreaking album. Instead CL acted like a total twat and made the situation nasty and shitty. This rubs me the wrong way on so many levels.
What’s odd about her initial reaction is that she tore someone down in the comments on her Instagram post for doing just that. I assume the original poster deleted because the only one tagged is Shirley Manson, and I don’t think she’s telling her off,, lol Part of the conversation is missing, but she said what you did, that women don’t need to tear each other down or compete.
From an artistic perspective… I do have to side with Courtney on this one….
Not watched Carrie ?
Live Through This was formative for me. One of the best albums of the 90s. Courtney could’ve pointed the similarities out in a more gracious way. But this was on brand for her.
Sooooooooooo I have no idea who Olivia Rodrigo is but at first glance, I thought ok she definitely got inspired by Carrie and why not it was a great movie. Howeverrrrrrrrrrrrrr and this is me being a 90s kid and Hole fan, the Doc Martens, and smeared mascara in the same location screams Hole.
Awwww, Ms. Hole finally found something she publicly tug.
Hate to say it, but Olivia Rodrigo rips off other artists– she has a great voice, but she is not very original. Nor is she is the biggest thing to happen to the music industry since Taylor Swift, LOL.
“good 4 u”, the single sitting at the top of the Billboard charts that catapulted her to fame, sounds uncannily similar to Paramore’s “Misery Business.”
Ha! I didn’t see your post and just said something similar below about good 4 u. There is a mashup on youtube of the two songs and it’s the exact same sound and chord progression.
A couple of months ago, I looked her up, and she listed a bunch of 90s influences that she promised that her album would reflect. One of them was Alanis, and I was like, Ummm… Nothing that I’ve heard from her so far would even suggest that.
I’m glad it’s not just me. I can hardly listen to Rodrigo and it’s depressing to think she is considered the next big thing. I don’t see it at all.
Yeah because there is no other reason for an 18 year old to think about prom. *eyeroll*
Courtney’s reaction is pretty much exactly what I’d expect from her, but she’s not entirely wrong to be grumpy about it. I am a 90s kid and I’m definitely starting to get very “get off my lawn” about all the blatant copies/homages/reboots of beloved things I grew up with. I know so much art and style is cyclical but between this and how Olivia’s song “good 4 u” sounds dead on Paramore’s Misery Business — which I LOVED — I can’t take her side either. So Team Nobody lol.
I’m super “get off my lawn” about all the 90s trends and homages too… I enjoy them for sure, but you simply had to be there, lol! These youths have no idea.
It’s so easy to hate on Love but she’s super talented at the end of the day. Rodrigo is now facing two accusations in a week of stealing from other artists. The other is Pom Pom Squad—please look this up before you judge Love, because Rodrigo and her team lifted Pom Pom Squad’s art and music almost exactly.
Courtney has never apologized for stealing her sounds from Babes in Toyland, or her kinderwhore look from Kat Bjelland. She’s such a narcissistic twat lol
Exactly. Thank you… I just came here to say that this is rich from someone who totally ripped off Kat Bjellend.
I don’t know. It wouldn’t have been that hard for Olivia to make mention of it, especially if she’s a fan. At the same time, Ellen Von Unwerth was the one who brought Courtney’s idea to life, and Courtney herself borrowed or “stole” it from Carrie, which was directed by Brian De Palma so… this is just a game of credit tag.
Yeah, when I think of “crying at the prom”, I think of Carrie, not Courtney Love.
And Courtney Love even cited Carrie as the inspiration for the album cover… sooooo she really doesn’t have enough merit to get bent out of shape over this.
https://www.anothermag.com/art-photography/11646/the-story-behind-hole-s-iconic-live-through-this-album-cover-ellen-von-unwerth
“Speaking to AnOther, Von Unwerth recalls the days before the photo shoot in Los Angeles. ‘Courtney Love called me,’ she says. ‘We were on the phone for one hour. I didn’t say much but listened, and Courtney had the idea of re-enacting the scene of the [1976] movie Carrie, which I loved, too.’ “
I’m going to go in the direction of homage. People reference watershed moments in art, that is part of civilization. The Live Through This cover still is deeply affecting to me, it speaks volumes about female identity etc. I prefer its raw look to the most recent homage to ruined prom queen, but it’s part of the human condition to play and comment on previous art.
It is an amazing album cover.
“it’s part of the human condition to play and comment on previous art.”
Yes, this!!!
Honestly, the worst thing for an artist is to have no one comment on it, use it for inspiration, or springboard off of it!
I didn’t recognize Courtney when I was clicking on this article. The fake lips and big cheeks, etc. I thought at a quick glance she looked like Brandi Glanville or somebody. I can’t put my finger on exactly who. LOL
This is one of a few criticisms I have of Courtney-is that so much of her feminism seems performative and has through the years. She loves attention, especially from men, and she’s so quick to talk about the patriarchy through her filler puffed lips. It’s just a lot.
I wish there was a like button, as I love this comment. I’m with you, I try not to judge women too much and give them a break when I do, but it is just a lot to do through the puffed filler lips et al.
She’s been in Jocelyn Wildensteen territory for years now.
Courtney Love also accused Trent Reznor of some pretty unspeakable things a few weeks ago and also went off on Dave Grohl for cheating her out of ‘Kurt’s share’ and then was like, “lol, just kidding” a few days later. She’s picking fights and pot stirring.
I thought she made up with Dave Grohl?TLol.that was just for show and she did have a share of Kurt’s songs but she sold them and then she was trying to get her hands on her own daughter’s share.If anything she wanted to be the beautiful blonde period.Years ago my brother in law was playing at big festival’s in Europe and they literally had to drag her on stage she was so out of it.Also her nanny wasn’t even watching Francis.My brother in law is still great friends with Dave.He try’s to put her in the past and is very gracious about it.Trust me Dave and Krist have no love for her at all.I loved the first Hole album but she really is a narcissistic drug addict that want’s to be relevant.
This reminds me of Dream Wife accusing Miley Cyrus and Dua Lipa of copying their video, when in fact they all had been inspired by a movie.
Now, let me tell you something, I follow Courtney on instagram, she searches herlself on diffferent social media platforms and has a need to comment on everything. Once, she posted on her stories a few tiktoks of different girls dressing like her and listening to Hole, and instead of being glad of inspiring people after almost thirty years after her biggest succes, she commented that she didn’t understand why all of them were wearing combat boots because she never wore chunky boots. I mean…
I’m just remembering the beef from Grace Jones regarding Kim Kardashian and her Paper magazine shoot. Though the same photographer took the pic, there was still really no acknowledgement that this was an image emblematic of Grace’s unapologetic stance of her appearance and spirit. I definitely saw Grace Jones’ point in being upset.
I do think there is not enough difference between the Live Through This cover and Rodrigo’s promotional pics. Yes, we draw from the past for current art, but every good artist cites their influences. And sure, while the movie Carrie contributed to the tragic prom queen image of Rodrigo, Rodrigo went on to acknowledge the influence Live Through This had on her. So many missed opportunities here:
1. Courtney could have handled it more gracefully, sure, but I think she makes a strong point. To deny the impact of Hole’s album for that imagery, one of the only female fronted bands to come out of the grunge scene to have hit commercial success, is a major blind spot. That movement of Riot Grrrls, kinderwhore fashion, etc was about women asserting themselves. Compared to Love’s past behavior, she’s controlled her anger, and I thin kshe was right to assert her point
2. Too many people today think that they have originated something, when they had not. REinvention of the wheel seems to be the premise of today’s creative youth, and this generation is all about the DIY, the showcasing, the presentation of their art. Fine. We are in a new world of video platforms, etc to build our images. But this generation lacks respect of the creative process as many of them feel they are born experts in whatever they are doing, and they do not thank and they do not credit. THe spotlight and camera is on them, and they don’t see anyone to outside it which is scary. I think Rodrigo can throw Hole and Courtney some credit as just a matter of manners -she should send Courtney not only a bunch of flowers. she could really use this moment to teach her peers and fans how to give credit to trailblazers before, because as much as I love Gen Z, their flaw is that their narcissism is OFF THE CHARTS. I’m glad they are confident, but wow, some are bereft of basic manners, common sense and human communication skills — all stuff they ironically complain that is no given to them. Courtney Love has been/was/is a mess , but she was an influential force for many, including Rodrigo, and deserves pop culture respect for what she contributed to our cultural conversation.
I don’t disagree with you and I do wish the younger musicians/performers would be a bit more reverent (for lack of a better word) to what went before. My problem is Courtney’s a hot mess and not sure what to believe. She might be right, but I want to know if she’s the one who created this and does the art belong to her, someone else or her old record label, Geffen, which is now Olivia Rodriguez’ label. Courtney is creative, but she’s not an artist and this might not have been all her idea. I feel it’s highly possible it’s Courtney being reactionary based on a lawsuit she’s recently became involved in.
https://www.nme.com/news/music/academics-grandaughter-sues-nirvana-over-use-of-vestibule-image-2933310
Honestly, if I’m Krist Novacelic, Dave Grohl, Frances Bean Cobain and Nirvana’s lawyers I’d have to be going please Courtney STFU you are helping the case against us and we don’t have Kurt to tell us what happened. However, I’m sure they have been saying that a lot.
I’m really not a fan of Olivia, she seems to be copying a lot of other artists. There’s nothing original or unique about her. That being said, Courtney is being a little over the top in her response, but this is classic her so 🤷🏻♀️
Well – I think in any art it’s impossible not to draw inspo from what’s come before. The cover does seem a bit too much like the Hole cover to be “just” inspiration though… Courtney Love – if you are reading this – the Hole cover is 100% more interesting and is the better cover, if it’s any consolation.
I’m all for we need to support the women of the music industry. Agree it is a toxic industry for women. I do love Hole’s album Live Through This, but Courtney Love is a hot special mess, and she is a mixed bag of actions. On the good side, she did tell young actresses not to go to Harvey Weinstein’s hotel room on the red carpet, and she claimed Britney’s business manager tried to put her in a conservatorship over her husband’s estate way before these events became main stream. On the other hand, she has said some terrible and denied things about a lot of people and lost several lawsuits in this regard. Trent Reznor and Dave Grohl are her recent ones. She issued an apology on those. Her daughter even disputed one of her accusations years ago and said her Mom should be banned from Twitter and now calls Courtney her bio Mom. Also, her relationship and love of Marilyn Manson is really disturbing. She loves the guy and has not spoken out about him and all that has come out, but instead spoke out about Trent Reznor who helped make Marilyn Manson famous initially, but Reznor publicly rebuked Reznor and cut ties with him years ago. Her feud with Dave Grohl was in remission for almost a decade, but then he gets into the Rock Hall of Fame for a second time and she goes after him for Nirvana royalties, which I can’t see how that has changed recently, and she doesn’t go after Krist Novacelic the other member of Nirvana. It’s seems reactionary to me, and wisely neither Grohl nor Reznor responded.
Now she has her eyes set on this young girl, which makes me sad in a way as she is not supporting other young artist. She did get one thing right it is not Olivia Rodriguez’s doing, but Geffen, Hole’s and Nirvana’s old record label. This brings my next question about this who actually created this picture in the first place and who owns it? It’s not exactly stealing if you have permission from the people who actually own it. Fyi, Nirvana, LLC including Courtney, Dave and Krist are in a lawsuit now over using some old art and not crediting it for merchandise they still sell for Nirvana, supposedly the art was updated by Kurt Cobain, oddly they didn’t have or apply for a copyright on the art. Also, Courtney Love has been personally accused of not giving others credit many times. Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins who was an on/off romantic interest fought with her for years about not giving him writing credit on one of her albums. There was a Nirvana song which was written and even played originally and she changed it and recorded it with Hole. Then when rumors started it was written by someone else she said someone else may have written part of it, never admitting it was Kurt until someone heard an old recording of Nirvana doing it and the song wasn’t changed that much. Nirvana ended up putting it on one of the B-sides of something too. This was part of the reason why she got such flack that Live Through this was actually written by Kurt Cobain. I think too many thought she did it once why not again. I think she thinks sometimes the idea is all hers when it’s not. See she’s a very mixed bag.
Exactly. She’s shady and petty and always will be despite her better moments but also, drugs(?)
Big drug addict.
A lot of the comments are being unnecessarily harsh on Olivia and it reminds of the way people on this site used to talk about Billie Eilish pre-Grammy wins (however much people want to change that narrative now). She’s 18, god forbid she be a tiny bit derivative at the beginning of her career.
Anyway, Courtney may have had a point, but she nuked it by being petty and small. She’s a 56-year-old woman trying to start beef with someone who was born in 2003, which means she automatically loses. Sad prom queens are hardly original, either. If anyone deserves flowers, it’s Stephen King and Brian De Palma.
I bet Olivia never even saw the cover before. A sad or zombie prom queen is a trope from so many movies and pop culture across decades. She didn’t get to go to prom which made me think “oh this makes sense” when I saw the promo set. A sad prom queen for a breakup album. Her music is totally influenced by Avril
and Paramore but it’s an homage.
It’s sad that there is such a sense of competition among women artists that they need to catalog everything every other woman has done to ensure they don’t “copy” anyone. As an artist, let me tell you a secret: There is no completely original art. We’re all learning from the people we admire, taking what we love the most, and mixing it
with other things and reinterpreting it as our own. That’s how all art works. It’s vastly different than plagiarizing, which is copying. The sad, angry prom queen has been a trope for over 70 years. It was not invented by Courtney Love or Steven King. You can’t plagiarize a trope. You just provide your own riff on it.
While the film Carrie is definitely a inspiration for both covers, her photo definitely looks like the Hole Album cover and that is the immediate reference. “Live through this” is such a good album. They can sort out the details on who owes who what credit.
– That passes as inspired art nowadays?
Hopefully Elastica calls her out for stealing their sound… Courtneys call was only the start…