After gaining national fame in 1956, Elvis Presley temporarily halted his music and acting career to serve a two-year stint in the US Army in West Germany. From 1958 to 1960, the charismatic young pop star indulged in various romances while stationed abroad. However, out of all the ladies that flocked around him, Priscilla Beaulieu, a 14-year-old he encountered at a party, in particular, captured his attention.
While fans are aware of the deep romantic connection that would eventually lead to their marriage, Priscilla Presley has revealed in her book, Elvis and Me, that before falling in love with the King of Rock and Roll, she was not impressed by him.
Priscilla was introduced to Elvis by her father
In the book, the 78-year-old revealed that her introduction to Elvis came through her father, who gifted her one of his records. Priscilla also mentioned that while she enjoyed his music, her fondness for the singer wasn’t as strong as that of her friends.
RELATED: Elvis Presley Allegedly ‘Liked Teen Girls’, Came Onto One ‘Like Godzilla’ In Hotel Room
“I liked Elvis but not as fanatically as many of my girlfriends at Del Valley Junior High,” she wrote. “They all had Elvis T-shirts and Elvis hats and Elvis Bobby Sox and even lipstick in colors with names like Hound Dog Orange and Heartbreak Pink. Elvis was everywhere, on bubble-gum cards and Bermuda shorts, on diaries and wallets and pictures that glowed in the dark.”
Priscilla Presley found some of Elvis Presley’s pictures very offensive
During an interview with Good Day Britain, Priscilla explained that when she saw Elvis’ pictures from a friend who managed a fan club, she found the visuals to be highly disturbing.
“Obviously, I’d heard of Elvis; one of my best friends had a fan club that you could join and she showed me the magazine, and when she showed me the inside,” Priscilla admitted to the news outlet. “Elvis was signing this blonde woman across her breasts. I looked at that and [thought] there’s no way I could be a part of this fan club. It’s really gross.”
Priscilla Presley says she fell in love with Elvis Presley after seeing his TV performance
Priscilla further explained that while she maintained her fondness for Elvis’ music, her admiration for the late icon heightened after watching one of his performances on TV. She confessed that his remarkable talent and irresistible charisma, which she witnessed, captured her heart, leading her to develop romantic feelings for the singer.
“Then I saw him on television on Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey’s Stage Show,” she detailed in the book. “He was sexy and handsome, with his deep brooding eyes, pouty lips, and crooked smile. He strutted out to the microphone, spread his legs, leaned back, and strummed his guitar. Then he began singing with such confidence, moving his body with unbridled sexuality. Despite myself, I was attracted.”