Courtney Love Accuses Olivia Rodrigo of “Stealing” Hole Album Cover Concept

On Thursday, Courtney Love posted Olivia Rodrigo’s Sour Prom concert film artwork on Instagram with this caption: “Spot the Difference! #twinning.” Love was noting the similarities between the artwork and Hole’s Live Through This album cover. 

Rodrigo acknowledged the similarities herself in a comment on Courtney Love’s post: “love u and live through this sooooo much.” Love responded to Rodrigo’s comment: “Olivia—you’re welcome. My favorite florist is in Notting Hill, London! Dm me for deets! I look forward to reading your note!” As Billboard points out, Love wrote multiple Facebook comments over the weekend offering more thoughts about Rodrigo, the artwork, and the singer’s response on Instagram.

“it was rude of her, and [Rodrigo’s label] geffen not to ask myself or [Live Through This cover photographer] Ellen von unwerth,” Love wrote in reply on Facebook. “It’s happened my whole career so I d c. But manners is manners!” In another comment, Love wrote: 

“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. 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 fuck to my fellow artists, and I expect the same.”

“I’ve informed her I await her flowers and note,” Love wrote. “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!”

Pitchfork has reached out to Rodrigo and Love’s representatives for further comment.

Rodrigo’s Sour Prom concert film is out Tuesday, June 29. Read Pitchfork’s Sunday Review of Hole’s Live Through This.