Major Controversies Surrounding Courtney Love: A Detailed Timeline

Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to Courtney Love.

Courtney Love is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, and actress prominent in the 1990s alternative and grunge scenes. She's best known as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the band Hole, formed in 1989. Noted for her unrestrained performances and confrontational lyrics, Love also gained significant media attention for her personal life, especially her marriage to Nirvana's Kurt Cobain. Her career has spanned four decades, marking her as a significant figure in music and pop culture.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1970: Parents' Divorce

In 1970, Courtney Love's parents divorced. During a custody hearing, allegations were made that her father had dosed her with LSD as a toddler, leading to the revocation of his custody.

September 1992: Vanity Fair Profile "Strange Love"

In September 1992, Courtney Love and Kurt Cobain were profiled in Vanity Fair by Lynn Hirschberg in an article entitled "Strange Love". The article suggested Love was addicted to heroin during her pregnancy, leading to an investigation by the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services and temporary custody being awarded to Love's sister.

December 1994: Erratic Behavior at Boston Concert

In December 1994, at a concert in Boston, Courtney Love interrupted the music, talked about Kurt Cobain, and broke out into Tourette syndrome-like rants, which prompted audience members to shout back at her.

1994: Substance Abuse

Courtney Love later admitted to having little memory of 1994 and 1995, as she was using large quantities of heroin and Rohypnol at the time.

January 1995: Arrested in Melbourne

In January 1995, Courtney Love was arrested in Melbourne for disrupting a Qantas flight after arguing with a flight attendant.

March 1995: Lawsuit for Punching Teenagers

In March 1995, Courtney Love was sued by two male teenagers for allegedly punching them during a Hole concert in Orlando, Florida. The case was later dismissed.

July 4, 1995: Assaulting Kathleen Hanna at Lollapalooza

On July 4, 1995, at the Lollapalooza Festival in George, Washington, Courtney Love threw a lit cigarette at musician Kathleen Hanna and punched her in the face, alleging that Hanna had made a joke about her daughter. Love pleaded guilty to an assault charge and was sentenced to anger management classes.

November 1995: Lawsuit Dismissed

In November 1995, a judge dismissed the lawsuit against Courtney Love regarding the alleged punching of teenagers during a Hole concert in March 1995, citing that the teens "weren't exposed to any greater amount of violence than could reasonably be expected at an alternative rock concert".

May 1998: Assaulting Belissa Cohen

In May 1998, Courtney Love punched journalist Belissa Cohen at a party, which led to a lawsuit that was settled out of court for an undisclosed sum.

1999: Touring and Concerns about Audience Treatment

In 1999, Hole toured with Marilyn Manson on the Beautiful Monsters Tour but dropped out after nine performances due to disagreements over production costs. Courtney Love expressed concerns about the sexualized treatment of teenage female audience members by Manson and Korn.

2000: Love advocates for reform of the record industry

In 2000, Courtney Love publicly advocated for reform of the record industry in a personal letter published by Salon, criticizing how record companies make side deals.

June 2001: Lawsuit to Dissolve Nirvana LLC

In June 2001, Courtney Love initiated a lawsuit to dissolve Nirvana LLC, which she had previously formed with Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl. This action blocked the release of unreleased Nirvana material and delayed the release of the Nirvana compilation album With the Lights Out.

February 2003: Arrest at Heathrow Airport

In February 2003, Courtney Love was arrested at Heathrow Airport for disruptive behavior during a flight. As a result, she was banned from flying with Virgin Airlines.

March 17, 2004: Appearance on Late Show with David Letterman

On March 17, 2004, Courtney Love appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman to promote her album America's Sweetheart. The appearance gained media attention because she lifted her shirt multiple times, flashed Letterman, and stood on his desk.

July 9, 2004: Arrest on 40th Birthday

On July 9, 2004, Courtney Love was arrested on her 40th birthday for failing to appear in court for the March 2004 charges. She was taken to Bellevue Hospital, allegedly incoherent, and placed on a 72-hour watch.

October 2004: Guilty Plea to Disorderly Conduct

In October 2004, Courtney Love pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct related to an incident in East Village.

August 2005: Comedy Central Roast of Pamela Anderson Appearance

In August 2005, Courtney Love's appearance as a roaster on the Comedy Central Roast of Pamela Anderson attracted media attention, as she appeared intoxicated and disheveled.

2005: Warning about Harvey Weinstein

In 2005, while on the red carpet for the Comedy Central Roast of Pamela Anderson, Courtney Love warned young actresses to avoid private parties with Harvey Weinstein at the Four Seasons hotel.

March 2009: Libel Suit Filed by Dawn Simorangkir

In March 2009, fashion designer Dawn Simorangkir brought a libel suit against Courtney Love concerning a defamatory post Love made on her Twitter account, which was eventually settled for $450,000.

January 2014: Libel Lawsuit by Rhonda Holmes

In January 2014, Courtney Love was subject to a second landmark libel lawsuit brought against her by her former attorney Rhonda Holmes, who accused Love of online defamation, seeking $8 million in damages. It was the first case of alleged Twitter-based libel in U.S. history to make it to trial.

February 2014: Further Lawsuit Filed by Dawn Simorangkir

In February 2014, a subsequent defamation lawsuit filed by fashion designer Simorangkir resulted in Courtney Love being ordered to pay a further $350,000 in recompense.

April 2015: Lawsuit Over Memoir Co-Writing

In April 2015, journalist Anthony Bozza sued Courtney Love, alleging a contractual violation related to his co-writing of her memoir.

October 2017: Weinstein Warning Video Goes Viral

In October 2017, a 2005 video resurfaced of Courtney Love warning young actresses about Harvey Weinstein. Love was on the red carpet for the Comedy Central Roast of Pamela Anderson and advised young girls moving to Hollywood to avoid private parties with Harvey Weinstein at the Four Seasons hotel.

January 2019: Restraining Order Against Sam Lutfi Extended

In January 2019, a Los Angeles County judge extended a three-year restraining order against Sam Lutfi, Courtney Love's former manager, to five years. The order was initially granted due to Lutfi's verbal abuse and harassment.