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.
The images show what appears to be an emotional prom queen who’s wearing a tiara, holding a bouquet of flowers and has mascara running down her face.
“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 !”
Rodrigo, whose debut album returns to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 this week, had posted several inspiration photos, including a still from the film Carrie, for the shoot on Instagram Stories last week.
See Love’s initial post about Rodrigo below.
