Some people were surprised when Kurt Sutter cast Courtney Love in a small role on Sons of Anarchy in its final season, as a schoolteacher, no less. But Love, hardcore rocker and widow of Kurt Cobain, first got critical raves for acting in the film, The People vs Larry Flynt alongside Woody Harrelson. Now it looks like the SOA role may not have been a fluke for Courtney, as she’s landed a role in the hot new hip-hop drama, Empire .
Is the Queen of Grunge making an acting comeback in the world of hip-hop?
Courtney Love made her debut last week on Empire as fading rock star Elle Dallas, who made the Empire Entertainment label what it is today as the first artist on the label to achieve commercial success. While playing an artist that Cookie (Taraji P. Henson) is trying to rehabilitate professionally and personally, one could argue Love doesn’t have to make much of a stretch in acting talents. But Courtney has proven herself outside the rock star roles, which she told Hollywood Reporter she has intentionally avoided in the past.
“Back in the day, I wouldn’t play rock stars. I got offered a lot of [those] parts, and I turned them down, but it’s a new time, and it’s a new dawn, and I’m really committed to doing this full-time whether it be theater or television or film.”
Love’s acting skills seem legit. She earned a Golden Globe nomination for her role in The People vs Larry Flynt , and Empire star Taraji P. Henson heaped praise on Courtney Love in a recent Fox interview.
“I absolutely love working with Courtney. She is a pro. She is so good. She is so available. She is such a team player in a scene. We gave each other great stuff to work off of. We trusted each other. I love her and I can’t wait to play with her again.”
Not only does Love get to immerse herself in acting again, but given she’s playing a rock star, you know she has to perform a few songs, as well. She already covered Al Green’s “Take Me to the River,” but Rolling Stone has posted an exclusive clip of Courtney Love’s next performance on Empire . This time around she performs an original song, “Walk Out on Me,” that will also be featured on the series soundtrack.
Could we see a musical comeback from Courtney Love, as well? The Hole frontwoman is reportedly planning a solo tour with Lana Del Ray this summer.
[Photo by Fernando Leon/Getty Images]
