Elvis star Austin Butler says he had ‘immediate connection’ with Lisa Marie Presley
Elvis star Austin Butler has revealed he and Lisa Marie Presley “got so close so fast” as he opened up on her loss.
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Elvis star Austin Butler has revealed he felt an “immediate connection” with the late Lisa Marie Presley when they first met.
During a TV appearance in the US, Butler talked about his deep friendship with the musician, who died on January 12 at age 54, just days after she appeared with the actor at the Golden Globes.
“I first met Lisa when we screened the film at Graceland,” Butler told talk show host Jimmy Fallon.
“I’ve never had an experience where I met somebody and felt an immediate depth of relationship with them.
“She’s also — she’s a person who didn’t have anything to prove and wouldn’t open up to anybody and she opened up to me,” Butler said.
“We got so close so fast and it’s just devastating.”
Butler also spoke about the dichotomy of celebrating his recent Oscar nomination for his incredible portrayal of Elvis Presley in the Baz Luhrmann-directed movie, while also mourning deeply the loss of his friend.
“It’s weird in moments like this because it’s so bittersweet,” he said.
“I mean, so much great stuff is happening, but I’m just devastated for her family. And for her to not be here celebrating with us, you know …”
“I’m happy she got to see you,” host Fallon said.
“Yeah, I’m happy I got to be with her at the (Golden) Globes, I’ll never forget that for the rest of my life,” said Butler, who won best actor in a drama for his performance in the movie.
Speaking at a dinner on Elvis’ actual birthday, January 8, Presley said she was “overwhelmed” by the Elvis movie.
“I just want to thank you for coming,” Presley said alongside Butler, daughter Riley Keogh and Luhrmann.
“I’m so overwhelmed by this film and the effect that it’s had and what Baz has done, what Austin has done,” Presley said.
“I’m so proud. And I know that my father would also be very proud. So, I want to thank you all for being here and I — I’m so overwhelmed with gratitude, so thank you.”
Presley’s speech was filmed by an attendee at Los Angeles’ famed Formosa Cafe, one of her father’s favourite haunts.
Just five days later, the musician’s mother Priscilla Presley confirmed her daughter’s death.
“It is with a heavy heart that I must share the devastating news that my beautiful daughter Lisa Marie has left us,” said the 77-year-old.
“She was the most passionate strong and loving woman I have ever known. We ask for privacy as we try to deal with this profound loss. Thank you for the love and prayers. At this time there will be no further comment.”
Presley’s 27-year-old son, Benjamin, died by suicide in 2020. She was buried next to him at her father’s Graceland estate.
LISA MARIE LOST 20KG BEFORE DEATH
Presley was reportedly taking opioids and lost a large amount of weight two months prior to her death, according to a new report.
She was also on a strict diet regimen, underwent plastic surgery and took weight loss pills to help feel her best during awards season, TMZ reports citing unnamed sources.
The singer lost 22 kilos in the six weeks before the Golden Globes on January 10, where she appeared frail and gaunt, the New York Post reported.
Presley died on January 12 at the age of 54 due to cardiac arrest.
She was laid to rest at her family’s home at Graceland in Memphis on January 22.
Mourners paid their respects to her and she was then buried on the mansion’s grounds next to her father Elvis Presley and son Benjamin, who died by suicide in 2020.
She attended the Globes to celebrate the Baz Lurhmann film Elvis and did her last interview on the red carpet with TV host Billy Bush.
Bush, 51, recalled talking to Presley at the ceremony after her passing.
“She was very uneven in her balance,” he told Fox LA on January 14.
“The speech was very slow. And, definitely, when the interview was over, I turned to my producer next to me and said, ‘Something’s off here’.
“She was cognisant. She was certainly with it, just a second slow. But she was there. She was definitely there, but just a tad off in some way,” Bush added.
According to court documents seen by the New York Post on January 27, Priscilla filed in Los Angeles Superior Court to challenge an amendment made in 2016 that ousted her as a trustee.
Priscilla also asked a judge to declare the allegedly fraudulent amendment invalid and noted reasons why it could be deemed as fake.
The documents state that Lisa Marie Presley executed a revocable living trust on January 29, 1993, which she then amended and completely restated on January 27, 2010.
Priscilla claims that is when Presley legally named her — as well as the “To Whom It May Concern” crooner’s former business manager, Barry Siegel — as trustees.
Originally published as Elvis star Austin Butler says he had ‘immediate connection’ with Lisa Marie Presley
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