Certain things are bound to happen when you live in the role of a character for three straight years. 31-year-old Elvis star, Austin Butler , revealed the heavy toll playing the role of the King of Rock’ n’ Roll took on him.
A Viral Attack
Speaking to British GQ in 2022, Austin Butler said the reason for being rushed to the hospital after shooting Elvis was due to a virus he contracted. In his words, he “woke up at 4 in the morning with excruciating pain” and was “rushed to hospital.” Stating that the virus had stimulated the symptoms of appendicitis.
Healthy Acting Process
Meanwhile, during the entire production of his film, the award-winning actor never felt sick or low. Butler told People on the Red Carpet at the 2023 SAG Awards, “I didn’t get sick the entire time I filmed, but the day that I finished, I ended up in the emergency room.”
His Lost Voice
Still, in his statement to People, the star actor recounted the time during production when he lost his voice while singing Elvis’s version of Never Been to Spain . Mr. Butler explained, “We did so many takes. And at a certain point, I just lost my voice. So then I went on vocal rest for a couple days, and I was able to come back.”
Shut Down
While all seemed right for the star during the course of three years, in his discussion with British GQ in 2022, he stated, “My body just started shutting down the day after I finished Elvis.” Further adding, he “spent a week in bed” before taking on other projects.
He Never Freaked Out
Even Director Baz Luhrmann spoke on Butler’s performance for their movie. While speaking to People , the director said, “I’ve worked with every kind of actor and every kind of performer. And I accept that they have freak-outs, that’s okay. But Austin, he doesn’t freak out. He has the most polite panic of anyone I’ve ever met.”
High Commitment
During the pandemic, when production for Elvis was to begin, the producer tried to get Butler to safety, but the actor was committed to the role, even in solitude. In an article from the British BQ , it reads, “The producers were ready to whisk Butler home to Los Angeles, but he decided to stay put and hole up and use the break to dig even deeper into his character.”
Austin Remains Elvis
While on the Red Carpet at the SAG Awards and during his speech, it became clear that the “voice of Elvis” isn’t done with Austin. Guess the star might need to do some method acting in a biopic film on himself to regain his voice.
Part of His DNA
After his award for his performance in Elvis at the Golden Globes, the 31-year-old actor admitted, “I don’t think I sound like him still, but I guess I must because I hear it a lot.”
Adding to his statement, he said, “I often liken it to when somebody lives in another country for a long time, and I had three years where that was my only focus in life,” he continued. “So, I’m sure there’s just pieces of my DNA that will always be linked in that way.”
It’s Beginning To Cringe
Although it’s not Butler’s fault entirely that he still has the voice portrayal of Elvis Presley, many fans are no longer happy about it. One critic tweeted, “hot take: austin butler is a little bit cringe.”
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Saturday Night Live
Making humor of the entire situation, Austin Butler joked about his new-found voice on the December 17 episode of Saturday Night Live . In his opening speech, he said, “There’s people out there who say that ever since I played Elvis, my voice has changed. That it got deeper, more Elvis-y. But that’s not true. I’ve always sounded like this.”
He then shows a clip of a younger version of himself in an interview, adding a comedic chipmunk voice-over.
Voice Coach To The Rescue
Speaking on his behalf about his ever-lasting Elvis voice impersonation, voice coach Irene Barlett told ABC Gold Coast that Butler built a “connection” with the character. Adding, “I feel sorry people are saying that, you know, it’s still acting [but] he’s actually taken [the voice] on board. I don’t know how long that will last, or if it’s going to be there forever.”
A Heavy Strain
The voice coach hired for his role in Elvis also stated that getting into the voice of Elvis Presley could have put a lot of strain on him [Austin Butler].
Sacrifices Paid Off
That young kid playing the role of extras in some hit Nickelodeon series has seen his method acting skills pay off. Being nominated for several awards, Butler won the Best Actor category at the 2023 Golden Globes for Elvis .
Proud Of His Wins
Austin Butler couldn’t be happier and proud of his achievements by taking on the role of the singing legend, Elvis Presley. This will be his second public confession about the toll the movie took on him and his accomplishments.
Working With Lisa Presley
Paying his respect to the only daughter of the iconic singer, Butler stated it was an honor to work with Lisa Presley. In a statement to ET , he said, “Lisa was such an extraordinary woman. The times that I spent with her were some of the greatest gifts of my life. And to now be able to carry on her legacy in this way, I feel profoundly on it.”
Privileged To Work With
Also, before the statement to Lisa, he mentioned how it was “a profound privilege” to connect with the Presley family and relate with them in some way.
Who Said Chivalry Is Dead?
Butler’s night out at the 2023 SAG Awards wasn’t only filled with the gossip surrounding the making of Elvis ; there were moments of chivalrousness from the star. In one incident, Austin Butler helped 76-year-old actor, Sally Field, walk to the stage as she was announced as the winner of the Life Achievement Award.
‘A True Gentleman’
As you’d expect, fans loved it! One fan on Twitter wrote, “This was a sweet moment between Sally Field and Austin Butler.”
He Did It Again
Offering his assistance, yet again, Austin Butler helped out his colleague, Jennifer Coolidge, up the stage to receive her award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series. Only this time, Austin and Jennifer walked hand in hand until she reached the top of the steps.
