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 alternative and grunge scenes. She formed the band Hole in 1989, achieving fame for her vocals, guitar work, and confrontational lyrics. Her marriage to Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain in 1992 brought intense media scrutiny, particularly after his death in 1994. Despite the personal challenges, Love and Hole gained prominence through raw live performances and impactful music.

Sections (6)

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

September 1992: Vanity Fair Profile "Strange Love"

In September 1992, Courtney Love and Kurt Cobain were profiled in a Vanity Fair article by Lynn Hirschberg entitled "Strange Love." The article, which suggested Love had used heroin during her pregnancy, led to a Department of Children and Family Services investigation, with Frances Bean Cobain temporarily awarded to Love's sister Jaimee.

December 1994: Riotous Concert in Boston

In December 1994, at a Hole concert in Boston, Courtney Love interrupted the music to talk about her deceased husband, Kurt Cobain, and engaged in Tourette syndrome-like rants. Her behavior was described as vulgar and offensive, prompting reactions from the audience.

1994: Heavy Drug Use and Memory Loss

Courtney Love later said she had little memory of 1994, a difficult year in the wake of Cobain's death, and 1995, because she had been using large quantities of heroin and Rohypnol at the time, contributing to her erratic behavior and legal issues.

January 1995: Arrest in Melbourne

In January 1995, Courtney Love was arrested in Melbourne for disrupting a Qantas flight after arguing with a flight attendant, contributing to her series of legal troubles during this period.

March 1995: Alleged Assault at Hole Concert in Orlando

In March 1995, Courtney Love allegedly punched two male teenagers during a Hole concert in Orlando, Florida, leading to a lawsuit filed against her in November 1995.

July 4, 1995: Assault at Lollapalooza Festival

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

November 1995: Lawsuit for Alleged Assault at Concert

In November 1995, two male teenagers sued Courtney Love for allegedly punching them during a Hole concert in Orlando, Florida, in March 1995. The judge dismissed the case, stating the teens "weren't exposed to any greater amount of violence than could reasonably be expected at an alternative rock concert."

May 1998: Assault of Journalist Belissa Cohen

In May 1998, Courtney Love attracted media attention after punching journalist Belissa Cohen at a party; the lawsuit was settled out of court for an undisclosed sum.

2000: Love advocates for record industry reform

In 2000, Courtney Love publicly advocated for reform of the record industry in a personal letter published by Salon. She discussed her views on online music sharing and artist rights.

June 2001: Love Files Lawsuit to Dissolve Nirvana LLC

In June 2001, Courtney Love filed a lawsuit to dissolve Nirvana LLC, blocking the release of unreleased Nirvana material and delaying the release of the Nirvana compilation With the Lights Out. This led to Grohl and Novoselic suing Love, who responded by stating that Kurt Cobain was Nirvana.

February 2003: Love Arrested at Heathrow Airport

In February 2003, Courtney Love was arrested at Heathrow Airport for disrupting a flight and was banned from Virgin Airlines.

March 2004: Arrest in Manhattan

In March 2004, Courtney Love was arrested in Manhattan for allegedly striking a fan with a microphone stand during a small concert in the East Village.

March 17, 2004: Love Appears on Late Show with David Letterman

On March 17, 2004, Courtney Love appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman to promote America's Sweetheart, where she flashed Letterman and stood on his desk, drawing media coverage.

July 9, 2004: Love Arrested on Her 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, and was placed on a 72-hour watch at Bellevue Hospital.

October 2004: Love Pleads Guilty to Disorderly Conduct

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

August 2005: Appearance on Comedy Central Roast of Pamela Anderson

In August 2005, Courtney Love's appearance on the Comedy Central Roast of Pamela Anderson, in which she appeared intoxicated, attracted further media attention.

2005: Warning About Harvey Weinstein

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

March 2009: Libel Suit Filed Against Love

In March 2009, fashion designer Dawn Simorangkir brought a libel suit against Courtney Love concerning a defamatory post Love made on her Twitter account.

June 2009: Plan to Reunite Hole Announced

In June 2009, NME published an article detailing Courtney Love's plan to reunite Hole and release a new album, Nobody's Daughter, sparking controversy with former guitarist Eric Erlandson.

January 2014: Libel Lawsuit by Rhonda Holmes

In January 2014, Courtney Love was subject of 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.

February 2014: Simorangkir Defamation Lawsuit Result

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: Video Warning About Harvey Weinstein Goes Viral

In October 2017, a 2005 video of Courtney Love warning young actresses about Harvey Weinstein resurfaced and went viral, shortly after the Harvey Weinstein sexual abuse cases became public. In the footage, she advised young actresses to avoid private parties with Weinstein at the Four Seasons hotel.

January 2019: Extended Restraining Order Against Sam Lutfi

In January 2019, a Los Angeles County judge extended the restraining order against Sam Lutfi, Courtney Love's former manager, to five years, citing Lutfi's predatory behavior. Her daughter, Frances, and sister, Jaimee, were also awarded restraining orders against Lutfi.