Riley Keough was extremely moved by Austin Butler‘s portrayal of her grandfather — but with all the tension between her and her grandmother Priscilla Presley, it looks like she won’t be able to support him as much as she might want to…
On Tuesday’s episode of Live with Kelly and Ryan, the 33-year-old actress praised Austin’s ability to embody her late grandfather Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann‘s epic biopic Elvis:
“I think he was outstanding and incredible. I couldn’t have imagined anyone being able to pull off what he did in terms of embodying my grandfather. It was really shocking and emotional. It totally blew me away.”
She went on to say the performance was so close to her heart that she spent a week crying after she saw the film:
“I was in tears for a week because of the film, but also because of his performance.”
Riley was so impressed over the 31-year-old actor’s skill she said she texted him to congratulate him before she’d even met him. How sweet! And as far as his Oscars nomination goes, when asked if she believes he’ll win best actor, she said simply:
“Fingers crossed!”
Ch-ch-check out the full interview (below):
Whether Austin takes home a win or not, it would seem Riley won’t be there to support him in person. According to sources for The Sun, Priscilla has taken the lead and she’ll be attending with the cast and crew of Elvis. We’re now hearing that due to the Daisy Jones & The Six star’s feud with her grandmother, she’s not going to be walking down the red carpet.
Related: Riley ‘Upset’ & ‘Disappointed’ Over Priscilla’s Actions
As you know, the rift that’s “causing much behind-the-scenes drama” is due to Priscilla contesting her late daughter Lisa Marie Presley‘s will giving everything to Riley and her late brother Benjamin Keough. The 77-year-old did this after she found out she’d been removed as a trustee of the estate. Since then, Priscilla and Riley reportedly haven’t been on speaking terms.
A friend of Elvis’ ex told the outlet this week:
“Priscilla is leading the team at the Oscars. She has been there the whole process of this film and wants to see it out on the biggest night in Hollywood. Of course, Lisa Marie would have been with her mother for this momentous night, but many are pushing for Riley to be there. That is causing problems and upset.”
The source then went on to say Riley and Priscilla walking the carpet together is “out of the question”:
“Riley wants her mom represented there but at this moment walking down the carpet together is out of the question. Friends of the pair have made efforts to diffuse the tension and unite in honor of the film and Elvis, but that is not happening currently. Riley’s emotions are already very up and down dealing with the loss of her mother and fight with her grandmother as well as dealing with PR promotion and raising her baby.”
All seems to be well between Austin and Elvis’ granddaughter, though:
“There is no drama between Austin and Riley at all. She was utterly blown away by his performance and touched by the way he represented her family.”
Well, we’ve now heard that straight from the horse’s mouth! And Austin’s opinion on the matter? He doesn’t want in the middle of their spat:
“He also doesn’t want to be embroiled in any clashes between the family. His outlook is about unity and celebration of the Presley family.”
The insider said Riley has been invited to events before and after the Oscars, so there’s a very good chance she and Priscilla could end up in the same room, but they’d most likely try to stay away from each other to keep the peace.
Yeesh. Doesn’t look like this feud is calming down anytime soon. Reactions, Perezcious readers?
[Image via MEGA/WENN/Avalon/Warner Bros. Pictures]
