Priscilla Presley hits back against narrative that Elvis was racist

2022-07-22

Priscilla Presley hits back against longstanding narrative that Elvis Presley was racist: ‘He had friends, black friends, friends from all over’

In an interview this week, Elvis’ former wife Priscilla tried to set the record straight by stating Elvis ‘was not a racist’
‘He had never been a racist,’ the Naked Gun actress, 77, continued, adding, ‘He had friends, black friends, friends from all over’
She went on to reveal that Love Me Tender star had an affinity for Black culture growing up in Tupelo, Mississippi
She also noted he had longstanding friendships with icons such as Fats Domino and Sammy Davis Jr
This comes amid all praise and critical acclaim for the new Baz Luhrmann-directed biopic simply titled Elvis
Elvis is depicted as being deeply moved by the civil rights movement and death of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the film, which stars Austin Butler in the title role
There’s also a budding friendship between the Jailhouse Rock star and blues great B.B. King
In the lead up to the release of the Elvis movie on June 24, Priscilla, her daughter Lisa Marie Presley, and Elvis’s granddaughter, actress Riley Keough, all gave their support for the biopic
As of July 20, the film has grossed $110.9 million in the U.S. and Canada, and $79.8 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $190.7 million

Amid all praise and critical acclaim for the new Baz Luhrmann-directed biopic, Elvis, Priscilla Presley finds herself defending her ex-husband against the longstanding narrative that he was racist.

Elvis Presley is depicted as being deeply moved by the civil rights movement and the death of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the film, which stars Austin Butler in the title role. There’s also a budding friendship between the Jailhouse Rock star and blues great B.B. King.

In an interview on Piers Morgan Uncensored this week, Priscilla tried to set the record straight by stating Elvis ‘was not a racist’.

In Elvis’ defense: In an interview on Piers Morgan Uncensored this week, Priscilla Presley tried to set the record straight by stating Elvis ‘was not a racist’

‘He had never been a racist,’ the Naked Gun actress, 77, continued, adding, ‘He had friends, black friends, friends from all over.’

She went on to reveal that Love Me Tender star had an affinity for Black culture growing up in Tupelo, Mississippi.

‘He loved their music, he loved their style. He loved being around Black musicians,’ she explained.

She also noted he had longstanding friendships with icons such as Fats Domino and Sammy Davis Jr.

Her take: ‘He loved their music, he loved their style. He loved being around Black musicians,’ Elvis’ ex-wife declared to Morgan in the interview

The Elvis biopic depicts a budding friendship between the Jailhouse Rock star and blues great B.B. King; the two musicians are seen together in 1956

‘He loved, loved being around Blacks and loved being around anyone, actually,’ she added. ‘He was not prejudiced in any way. He was not racist in any way.’

Morgan also wondered whether the Heartbreak Hotel crooner would be able to ‘survive this weird cancel culture that we now have to endure.’

‘He wouldn’t believe it. I don’t believe it. I don’t think any of us believe in what’s going on right now. We’ve never been through anything like this, and it’s pretty much global,’ she said.

‘Us as a country, it’s baffling. It’s truly baffling. For the first time I’m worried about my future, and my children and grandchildren as well. It’s very unpredictable and Elvis would probably go to the president, like he did with Nixon, put his foot down and ask, “What’s going on?”‘

Open minded: ‘He loved, loved being around Blacks and loved being around anyone, actually,’ Priscilla added. ‘He was not prejudiced in any way. He was not racist in any way’; the couple are pictured on their wedding day in May 1967

In the lead up to the release of the Elvis movie on June 24, Priscilla, her daughter Lisa Marie Presley, and Elvis’s granddaughter, actress Riley Keough, all gave their support for the biopic.

In fact, Priscilla and Lisa Marie both revealed that they got emotional watching Butler inhabit Elvis and his many mannerisms like how he talked, walked, even his temper.

As of July 20, the film has grossed $110.9 million in the U.S. and Canada, and $79.8 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $190.7 million.

The film’s take: Elvis Presley is depicted as being deeply moved by the civil rights movement and the death of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the film, which stars Austin Butler in the title role

Priscilla Presley and her family have given their support for the Elvis biopics; Austin Butler and Olivia DeJonge and pictured in a scene as Elvis and Priscilla

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