News | Entertainment
31 Dec 2025 15:01
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
     31 Dec: Stellan Skarsgard doesn't think it is possible to be a "good parent to a kid"
     31 Dec: Catherine, Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte "didn't need direction" for their piano duet because they were "so good"
     31 Dec: Tyler Perry's lawyer has branded a new allegation of sexual misconduct a "failed money grab"
     31 Dec: Oasis' Liam Gallagher has reportedly bought Tony Adams' plush £4.25 million Cotswolds mansion
     31 Dec: Billie Lourd "will never stop missing" her late mom Carrie Fisher
     31 Dec: Charlie Puth sings songs to his baby
     31 Dec: Tori Spelling has come down with a mystery illness
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    The quarter-finals are set at the world darts championship - and for the first time in a non-Covid year since 2012 Michael van Gerwen won't be there More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Recognition for the lawyer behind class action against two major banks More...



     Today's News

    Soccer:
    Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is far from downcast despite falling to a humbling 4-1 defeat to leaders Arsenal in football's Premier League 14:57

    Entertainment:
    Stellan Skarsgard doesn't think it is possible to be a "good parent to a kid" 14:38

    Entertainment:
    Catherine, Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte "didn't need direction" for their piano duet because they were "so good" 14:08

    Soccer:
    19 games down, 19 to go for English Premier League leaders Arsenal 14:07

    Environment:
    MetService is warning of stormy weather throughout the North Island today 13:47

    Entertainment:
    Tyler Perry's lawyer has branded a new allegation of sexual misconduct a "failed money grab" 13:38

    Rugby:
    The quarter-finals are set at the world darts championship - and for the first time in a non-Covid year since 2012 Michael van Gerwen won't be there 13:37

    Business:
    Recognition for the lawyer behind class action against two major banks 13:27

    Entertainment:
    Oasis' Liam Gallagher has reportedly bought Tony Adams' plush £4.25 million Cotswolds mansion 13:08

    Rugby:
    Bowls great Val Smith is struggling to come to terms with her second major award in three months 13:07


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd