News | Entertainment
23 Dec 2025 22:37
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Spencer Elden has re-filed his lawsuit against Nirvana over the artwork for 'Nevermind'

    Elden - who was four months old when he was photographed naked in a swimming pool reaching out for a dollar bill on a fishing line for the band's iconic 1990 album - has reinstated his case after his initial complaint was dismissed by a judge last week.


    He has claimed the photo constitutes child pornography, and he filed papers on Wednesday (12.01.22) which ensured he met the judge's deadline to reinstate the case.

    Elden's initial case was thrown out after the 30 year old failed to respond after Nirvana and their co-defendants filed a motion to dismiss.

    In his amended complaint, Elden is no longer claiming the creation of the picture entailed his sex trafficking when he was a baby.

    However, he is still alleging that the band "intentionally" marketed a picture which constitutes "child pornography".

    Meanwhile, his lawyers have included a statement from art director Robert Fisher - who worked on the cover and was named in the original lawsuit before being dropped as a defendant on December 22 - as he claimed he advised the band and record label that the the baby's genitalia could be digitally removed.

    Fisher's statement also features an early mock-up of the 'Nevermind'

    cover, which uses a stock image of a different baby without their genitalia exposed.

    Elden's lawyers alleged: "Like creators of other controversial album covers, the defendants sought to garner attention by using a sexually explicit image that intentionally focused on Spencer's carefully positioned enlarged genitals."

    Elden is calling for damages of at least $150,000 from each defendant - including surviving band members Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic, as well as Kurt Cobain's widow Courtney Love and photographer Kirk Weddle, and record labels Geffen and Universal Music.

    Nirvana's lawyers had filed to dismiss and said the 30-year-old's arguments - including claims the artwork caused him "extreme and permanent emotional distress" plus loss of wages and "enjoyment of life"

    - lacked merit.

    They added: "Elden's claim that the photograph on the Nevermind album cover is 'child pornography' is, on its face, not serious."

    They said that anyone owning a copy of the record would "on Elden's theory [be] guilty of felony possession of child pornography".

    Their lawyers continued: "He has re-enacted the photograph in exchange for a fee, many times; he has had the album title... tattooed across his chest; he has appeared on a talk show wearing a self-parodying, nude-colored onesie; he has autographed copies of the album cover for sale on eBay; and he has used the connection to try to pick up women."

    Now, the defendants have until January 27 to respond to the latest complaint.

    © 2025 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     23 Dec: Rebel Wilson finds being a working mom "really, really tricky"
     23 Dec: Nicole Scherzinger wants to lounge around like "a potato" over the festive period
     23 Dec: Amanda Seyfried hopes her 40s will be "healthier"
     23 Dec: Kerry Katona and her boyfriend are planning to donate toys over the festive season
     23 Dec: Ray Romano is returning for a second Everybody Loves Raymond reunion special
     23 Dec: Kelsey Grammer is still hopeful Frasier will return
     23 Dec: Martin Grelis has died at the age of 57
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Kiwi darts player Jonny Tata sits on the cusp of history at the world championships in London More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Berries, corn, and fruit pies are in hot demand as supermarkets prepare for the Christmas rush More...



     Today's News

    International:
    Anthony Albanese and Sussan Ley release Christmas messages in wake of Bondi attack 22:17

    Politics:
    Helping to vote through a new India trade deal could be in Labour's best interests in an election year 21:57

    Entertainment:
    Rebel Wilson finds being a working mom "really, really tricky" 21:50

    Entertainment:
    Nicole Scherzinger wants to lounge around like "a potato" over the festive period 21:20

    Accident and Emergency:
    A section of State Highway 50 - near the fire in Hasting's Fernhill - will remain closed overnight 21:17

    Entertainment:
    Amanda Seyfried hopes her 40s will be "healthier" 20:50

    Entertainment:
    Kerry Katona and her boyfriend are planning to donate toys over the festive season 20:20

    Entertainment:
    Ray Romano is returning for a second Everybody Loves Raymond reunion special 19:50

    Entertainment:
    Kelsey Grammer is still hopeful Frasier will return 19:20

    Law and Order:
    Suzuki's announced a voluntary safety recall for its VIN range 2025 FRONX Hybrid car - which was found to have a potentially life-threatening rear seatbelt fault 18:57


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd