Bringing the life of Elvis Presley’s wife to the screen is perhaps one of the biggest challenges that director Sofia Coppola has had to overcome. She highlights a shadowy woman. Priscilla Presley tells us about this long-awaited film.
GALA: How did you react when you saw Priscilla?
PRISCILLA PRESLEY : It is very difficult to sit down and watch a film about your life and your love. [Elle se met à pleurer.] Sorry, but it’s so moving to look back on your life… Sofia did an incredible job. We talked a lot together and I really did everything I could to help him and get the best result.
GALA: You were a teenager when you met Elvis Presley. What can you tell us about your beginnings together?
PP : People think: “Oh, it was for sex…” But not at all! At the time, I didn’t sleep with him. He was kind, gentle, very affectionate and he respected the fact that I was only 14 years old. He confided to me everything that was on his heart, spoke to me of his fears, his hopes, the loss of his mother from which he had never recovered. I don’t know why he trusted me so much, but he did. And I never told anyone I saw him.
GALA: Looking back, how do you analyze your history with the King?
PP : We built a real relationship, which lasted until I left. And it wasn’t because I didn’t love him anymore. It was his lifestyle that was difficult for me. Any woman can understand and identify with that. But Elvis was the love of my life. And, of course, we had our daughter. [Lisa-Marie Presley, décédée en janvier 2023 à 54 ans, ndlr] and I made sure he could see her all the time. In a way it felt like we were always together
This article could be found in Gala N°1595, available on newsstands on January 4. The new issue of Gala comes out this Thursday, January 11, 2024. Enjoy reading.
Photo credits: Zuma Press / Bestimage