Austin Butler won the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama for his portrayal of Elvis Presley in the Baz Luhrmann-directed film.
Despite winning, the actor received trolling on social media after hearing his acceptance speech.
In his speech, the 31-year-old actor stated:
“Oh man, all my words are leaving me. I just am so grateful right now. I’m in this room full of my heroes.”
Austin then mentioned Quentin Tarantino, Brad Pitt, and the script for the film “Pulp Fiction,” which he claims he has read since he was 12 years old. The former Disney Channel star also praised Tom Hanks, his “Elvis” co-star, for being his “dancing partner.”
“I cannot believe I’m here right now.”
Austin, a native of southern California, then addressed the audience at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Los Angeles, which included Elvis’ widow, Priscilla Presley, and their daughter, Lisa Marie Presley.
“The Presley family, thank you guys for opening your hearts, your memories, your home to me.”
However, a number of social media users were immediately drawn to his accent and felt uneasy around him.
One individual said:
“What the f-k is that accent, Austin Butler? You’re a Californian who was reared in Anaheim. A bone in your body ain’t nothing southern.”
Another Twitter user expressed their displeasure with Austin’s accent.
“Austin Butler is still imitating Elvis; PLEASE have him removed from the area immediately. “
Another said:
“Has Elvis’ ghost taken over Austin Butler? Sir blink twice if you need help.”
A fourth commenter said:
“Austin Butler taking ‘method acting’ far further than it has to with this voice in his victory speech.”
Austin Butler’s spot-on Elvis Presley impersonation, on the other hand, didn’t seem to bother Priscilla and Lisa Marie, who were visibly emotional throughout the entire acceptance speech. The 77-year-old widow and their 54-year-old daughter lost the King of Rock and Roll in 1977, at the age of 42, when he died of a heart attack.
Meanwhile, Austin Butler revealed that he struggled to shake Elvis Presley’s accent after transforming into him for the film.
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight in 2022, he stated that he kept asking people if it was his voice because he believes it was his “real voice.”
The former “Carrie Diaries” star added:
“When you live with something for two years, and you do nothing else, I think that you can’t help it. It becomes a fiber of your being.”