Austin Butler is nowhere close to forgetting he recently coped with a Golden Globes performance, thanks to him embodying the role of the "King of Pop" Elvis Presley in the Baz Luhrmann Biopic.
He gave credit where credit is due by mentioning that his ex-girlfriend Vanessa Hudgens initially inspired him to take on the role.
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The Los Angeles Times interviewed Butler shortly after the nominations were revealed and inquired about remarks he had made regarding the inspiration for taking on the role of Elvis. Butler, who was nominated for an Oscar on Tuesday for Best Actor for his portrayal of the icon Elvis Presley in the biopic Elvis, was asked about these remarks.
However, Butler initially played diplomatic, claiming that his "partner at the time" was the one who first came up with the concept, but when questioned, he finally admitted that it was Hudgens and expressed his appreciation for her support.
"We’d been together for so long and she had this sort of clairvoyant moment," he said. "And so I really, I owe her a lot for believing in me."
At the presentation on Tuesday, 10th January, the actor from California, who played Presley from his teenage years until his tragic passing at age 42, took home the prize for Outstanding Actor in a dramatic motion picture. Butler's speech was delivered with the same Southern drawl he used in "Elvis," which he hasn't gotten rid of since the movie was shot.
Naturally, Austin did not forget to thank Priscilla Presley and her daughter, late Lisa Maria Presley for their assistance and for giving him everything he needed to play the part.
With a wink to the King himself, Butler ended his acceptance speech in typical fanboy fashion:
“You were an icon and a rebel, and I love you so much!” ."Butler yelled while gesturing upward.“ You are remembered, and I will never forget!”
Butler and Hudgens dated for almost ten years before calling it quit in 2020. Hudgens recounted his excitement for Elvis in August 2019 during his interview on Live With Kelly and Ryan.
"It's so crazy, because last December, we were driving along and we were listening to Christmas music, and then an Elvis Presley Christmas song came on. He had just dyed his hair dark -- he's a natural blonde -- and I was looking at him and he was singing along and I was like, 'Babe, you need to play Elvis. I don't know how, but I'm serious. You need to play him.'"
Years later, Austin shared the same tale at The Hollywood Reporter's Actors Roundtable, albeit he did not specifically mention Hudgens at the time.
Austin was wise to follow the suggestions. Since then, he has won numerous accolades from critics for the part, most recently taking home the Golden Globe and hopefully bagging more awards as the biopic keeps getting nominations.
