“The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” “Elvis the Pelvis,” “The Hillbilly Cat,” throughout his career Elvis Presley was given many titles. He’s been idolized, obsessed over, and even pitied. But never before has been viewed with such collective criticism and disgust. Though Presley’s iconic music will likely live on forever, his legacy has become much darker with time.
Elvis Presley was born January 8 in 1935. He was raised in Mississippi, but as a teenager moved to Memphis, Tennessee where he’d quickly rise to fame. By his early twenties Presley became one of the most famous men in the world. Hoards of people flocked to see him perform, especially young women completely infatuated with the star. In 1958 the world was shocked when Presley was drafted into the U.S. Army, but we now know this event was what brought him to fourteen-year-old Priscilla Ann Wagner.
In Sofia Coppola’s new film “Priscilla,” adapted from Priscilla Presley’s autobiography “Elvis and Me,” the audience is given an opportunity to see Elvis through the eyes of his young bride. Viewers watch as wide-eyed Priscilla falls deeply for Elvis, and simultaneously is introduced to a world she’s not yet prepared for. She’s introduced to drugs, is molded into Elvis’s ideal woman, and experiences both emotional and physical abuse. Viewers watch as a pill is placed into her palm for the first time, followed by another, and another, and another. Their hearts drop as a chair slams against the wall, inches away from fearful Priscilla, who merely reacts with stillness and silence. And they leave the theater now questioning their love and obsession with the broken star.
When we examine the man through a lens unclouded by his undeniable talent, iconic dancing, deep voice, and charming smile, we’re left with a drug addicted abuser who took a liking to young girls. This same lens should be used to view all celebrities, no matter how beloved.
An obsession with idols and celebrities is even more prevalent today, and we continue to disregard their actions and lack of consequences. We stay silent about celebrities and politicians who are associated with the infamous Jeffrey Epstein. Young boys continue to idolize Mike Tyson who was convicted of rape in 1992. And many known groomers continue to have massive platforms on social media.
Sofia Coppola’s film shows the importance of viewing celebrities as human beings. When we begin worshiping a person we hardly know there can be grave consequences. As a society we can learn to recognize and reject the disgusting and depraved behavior of celebrities both before and after Elvis’s time.
