Elvis Presley Admits 'Hollywood's Image of Me Was Wrong' in Rare Vulnerable Moment Featured in New Doc (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

A new documentary aboutElvis Presleyreveals a rarely seen vulnerable side of the legendary singer.

Return of the King: The Fall & Rise of Elvis Presley, which premieres on Netflix on Wednesday, Nov. 13, explores the story behind Presley’s now-iconic 1968 comeback special,Elvis. The special — which aired on NBC — is widely credited with breathing new life into the star’s music career after many critics believed it to be over.

“Hollywood’s image of me was wrong and I knew it, and I couldn’t do anything about it,” he said, adding, “I didn’t know what to do. I just felt I was obligated to things I didn’t fully believe in.”

Elvis Presley and his father Vernon Presley during a press conference after his first performance at the International Hotel in Las Vegas in 1969.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty

“At a certain stage, I had no say so in it,” he said of his movie career. “I didn’t have final approval of the script, which means I couldn’t say, ‘This is not good for me,’ and so I became very discouraged.”

“They couldn’t have paid me no amount of money in the world to make me feel I had any satisfaction inside,” the icon added.

Another portion of the clip shared with PEOPLE shows Presley’s ex-wife,Priscilla Presley, viewing footage of the singer in the 1967 musicalDouble Trouble.She watches somberly as Elvis — a Grammy-winning musician —  sings the simple children’s song “Old MacDonald Had a Farm.”

“That to me is a crime,”The Naked Gunactress, 79, says while watching the scene. “It is a crime. To put him in that situation and sing that song. It made him a laughingstock. And he knew it.”

Annette Day and Elvis Presley in the 1967 film ‘Double Trouble’.Netflix

Netflix

Priscilla has opened up previously about Elvis’ desire to create meaningful work.

“Musically, I think he was pretty happy with how things had turned out,” she said in a December 2023 interview withThe Times UK. “He loved knowing that his music meant something to people.”

“I remember sitting with him at Graceland listening to some of the songs he was recording,” she continued, “and I asked him why he sang so many ballads. He answered me straight away, ‘Because those songs touch the heart. Life’s truth is in those songs.’ He was right.”

Elvis Presley and Priscilla Presley on their wedding day on May 1, 1967.Hulton Archive/Getty

Hulton Archive/Getty

Return of the King: The Fall & Rise of Elvis Presleyalso features interviews withBruce Springsteen,Baz Luhrmann,Conan O’Brienand others.

“I originally pitched this film as a sports movie: this is an aging superstar with one final chance to throw a Hail Mary and prolong his dying career. If he fails, he’s finished. If he succeeds, he continues on. Not only did he succeed, he delivered one of the most indelible performances in music history. This is the story of a stunning triumph amidst overwhelming adversity.”

The film will be available for streaming on Netflix on Nov. 13.

source: people.com