Priscilla Presley Comments on Biographical Drama PRISCILLA and Its Portrayal of Her Marriage to Elvis at the Age of 14

Priscilla Presley, wife of the late the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Elvis Presley, has spoken out about the controversy surrounding her story told in the biographical drama Priscilla, from filmmaker Sofia Coppola. Presley attended the Venice Film Festival Press Panel for the film, and spoke to the press from the audience when asked about the fact that she was only 14 years old when she began dating Elvis.

First, Presley praised the film, as well as Coppola, saying:

“It’s very difficult to sit and watch a film about you, about your life, about your love. Sofia did an amazing job. She did her homework, we spoke a couple of times and I really put everything out for her that I could.”

The film stars Cailee Spaeny in the title role and Jacob Elordi as Elvis, and it shows Priscilla’s relationship with Elvis from their very first meeting. As she is whisked away into his world, Priscilla comes of age and finds her voice. However, she insisted at the press conference that Elvis did not take advantage of her youth.

She explained:

“It was very difficult for my parents to understand that Elvis would be so interested in me and why. And I really do think because I was more of a listener. Elvis would pour his heart out to me in every way in Germany: his fears, his hopes, the loss of his mother — which he never, ever got over. And I was the person who really, really sat there to listen and to comfort him. That was really our connection. Even though I was 14, I was actually a little bit older in life — not in numbers. That was the attraction. People think, ‘Oh, it was sex.’ No, it wasn’t. I never had sex with him. He was very kind, very soft, very loving, but he also respected the fact I was only 14 years old. We were more in line in thought, and that was our relationship.”

She went on to add:

“I didn’t know why he put so much trust in me, but he did. And I never, ever, ever told anyone that I was seeing him, and that was another issue that he loved, is the fact that I never gave him up in any way. I never told anyone at school that I was seeing him. So, we built a relationship and then our relationship went on until I left. And it wasn’t because I didn’t love him — he was the love of my life. It was the lifestyle that was so difficult for me, and I think any woman can relate to that. But it didn’t mar our relationship, we still remained very close. And of course, we had our daughter, and I made sure that he saw her all the time. It was like we never left each other.”

I understand what she’s trying to say, and I’m glad she had an overall positive experience in her relationship, but regardless of maturity level, a 14 year old is a child, and there’s no excuse for a 24 year old to begin a relationship with a 14 year old. We know better these days, and we do better to protect children.

Earlier in the press conference, Coppola also discussed how she navigated just how young Priscilla was when she met Elvis. “I can go back to being that age and remember having a crush on an older guy and a rockstar,” she said. “I just imagined myself in her point of view.”

Priscilla premieres in theaters on October 27th.

via: Variety