Many years ago I discovered that some of my best writing occurs when focusing on a subject I know very little about. Somehow or another, I usually pull this task off with great results. Perhaps it's the written documentation of my mind at work, wondering aloud, that makes these pieces come to life, and become very thought provoking. Irregardless (one day I'm going to fight whomever I need to go up against to make that an actual word) I hope I'm able to pull this trick off once again.

I don't know much about Courtney Love. I know she was shortly married to, Alternative Rock God, Kurt Cobain. I know she was quite the ugly duckling back in the day with her 1970s Bette Middler nose, fronting the all girl Seattle grunge band "Hole." And I've only taken a moment or two in my life to wonder; "where the hell was she when Kurt Cobain killed himself?" Why wasn't she ever brought up on any charges, or suspected of foul play in his "Suicide." Why was he found dead, by the hired help; and not her or at least a friend? But I'm not here today to play Sherlock Holmes; or to attempt to indict Courtney for murder. I'm not even here to persecute her or her actions. This piece is just my own reflections on "The Making of a Star."

From what I know, Courtney Love has always been wild and unruly. She's a typical, present day, Rock and Roll diva. She became the Hollywood darling, who supposedly cleaned up her act; kicked the drugs, got a lil rhinoplasty and adorned Versace and other top designer gowns. In the mid to late 90s, Courtney was living the ugly duckling tale to a tee. She was the Belle of the ball, being seen and photographed on the red carpet of most Hollywood affairs. She had won critical acclaim for acting in movies such as "The People VS. Larry Flint." Courtney Love was on the up and up; no longer just a grunge band leader, but now an A list celebrity.

Courtney was everywhere, looking fab, but still clinging to her "I don't give a damn attitude." Drew Barrymore (whom I admire for various reasons) once told the "E" channel "I love Courtney Love. I consider her a dear friend. She’s one of the realist people I know." Weeks later Courtney was quoted as saying "I love Drew, but she just exhausts me." A prime example of Courtney being "Real." Let's face it, Drew is always all over the place; one can only imagine how bad she could talk your ear off in just a two minute conversation. Courtney has made many statements as a celebrity; but my personal favorite (and actually the only song I know by Love) is "Celebrity Skin" in which she sings: "When I wake up in my makeup -Its too early for that dress -Wilted and faded somewhere in Hollywood. I'm glad I came here with your pound of flesh. No second billing cause you're a star now. Oh, Cinderella; they aren't sluts like you-Beautiful garbage beautiful dresses. Can you stand up? Or will you just fall down?" These lyrics are so true to life for Love; they express just how superficial and unappreciative Hollywood really is. The lyrics talk of how the public expects things from celebrities all the time; no matter what their feeling inside. How celebrities always have to be dolled up with their game faces painted on. How phony other celebrities can be; and the difference between "public image" and who a person really is inside. But the primary message of Loves' lyrics are how within the blink of an eye; you're forgotten. These words paint a very clear picture of the high price of fame. “When I wake up in my makeup - Have you ever felt so used up as this? It’s all so sugarless -Hooker/waitress/model/actress Oh, just go nameless". Love truly explains within these few words that celebrity isn't all it's cracked up to be; and how easy it is for one to feel very empty and hollow.

Now today Courtney Love is in the news again. This time she's had an emotional meltdown on stage in front of millions of fans. I read today in the always accurate, bible of true journalism, "The New York Post," that Love began rambling, sobbing, and stripping, at a concert in Atlanta last Sunday night. The article talked of how a disheveled Love addressed the audience with a small speech thanking Satan for [messing] up her life. She also sobbed and pleaded "Give me back my kid and my money." Love recently lost custody of her 11 year old daughter, Frances Bean, fathered by the late Kurt Cobain, after being charged with possession of cocaine and illegal - prescription - drugs. Love also pulled a female fan onstage and told her "You're hot, sit here" After asking the fan to sing "Violet" with her, she then pushed her aside, saying, "Sit down, you can't sing." The article also notes (with a color black barred picture) that Love flashed a tit. The photo shows Love with blackened raccoon eyes from running mascara; a cigarette dangling from her lips; and a censored "A Cup" breast exposed. What more can we do to Courtney Love? Let's face it, we all know people who are a hundred times more out of control then she is; but why must we patronize the media by ogling over her "Celebrity Skin"?

From the smallest thing, a fan getting hit in the head by a microphone stand (Hello? This is rock and roll; not the symphony!); to a freaked out Courtney on the streets on NY during 9/11; it's all in the papers - ALL THE TIME. Can't we leave Courtney Love alone? But does she want to be left alone? Is Courtney Love really our Glen Close in "Fatal Attraction" burning candles, with Madame Butterfly playing in the background - pleading "Don't leave me! I can't live without you!"...? I think she is. I think as fucked up and "Real" as Courtney has been with us; it's all a major part of her success. Courtney has cut herself and cried and bled right before our eyes so many times that it can't ever really be counted. Courtney is Jim Morrison reincarnated. She's hanging from buildings screaming "I want some death! I want some warm thrillful death to run over me like a summer rain." And just as we did with Jim, we're screaming "No! Please don't go!" Courtney Love isn't the makings of a star - SHE IS A STAR! She's given us the confused pity of Jim Morrison. The fucked up, poor little rich girl, of Gloria Vanderbilt; and, the tragedy of Sid and Nancy of the Sex Pistols. And we love every moment of it. A pound of flesh removed from her face, the Barbara Streisand nose shaved down to a Celine Dion, and she's still too vulnerable to believe that she can act or sing her way to stardom. So with her life under a microscope, by The Star Tribune and The New York Post, Courtney achieves stardom by simply being Courtney...A Mess. As fucked up as she may be, and as empty as she may feel inside her own celebrity skin - Courtney Love will not become "wilted and faded somewhere in Hollywood". Courtney Love will always be remembered. That girl who lives on your street – The One you try to avoid in the supermarkets because she's got issues upon issues - She doesn't need your sympathy.Her image is already in the papers under the headlines "Courtney Love Disaster Part 12".

Interesting, but what are you driving at?

You lost me at "Many years ago..."

interesting. i happen to agree with a lot of it. she's typical of people who are in the business.... a walking trainwreck of vacuous self-involvement. i'm long bored with it,thanks for sharing your thoughts.