Jacob Elordi was able to lose himself in the complexities of playing music legend Elvis Presley onscreen for the new biopic Priscilla. In fact, it was the hit song “Lose Yourself” by rapper Eminem that helped put the Australian actor on the path to his breakout role.
Elordi plays Presley opposite Cailee Spaeny’s Priscilla Presley in the new movie, which is now in theaters. But long before the 26-year-old was offered the chance to play one musical icon, he idolized another: Eminem whose real name is Marshall Bruce Mathers III.
Although Slim Shady might sound nothing like the King of Rock ’n’ Roll, the rapper is tied to Elordi and his latest portrayal in a surprising way.
Elordi broke his Aussie accent by listening to Eminem
Elordi was born in Brisbane on June 26, 1997, and naturally developed his Australian accent growing up. One of the biggest tools that helped the aspiring actor develop an American-sounding inflection was his obsession with Eminem.
Elordi told Esquire in a November 2021 interview he had a Walkman growing up and listened to Eminem’s song “Mockingbird” on a loop. He credits his resulting fandom for allowing him to break his Australian accent. “I think I just like skipped that track back over and over and over,” Elordi said. “And then [I] tried to buy all the clothes that he had, tried to talk like him. Wanted so bad to be him. And I dreamt of playing him in a biopic, which was just an impossibility.”
Elordi decided to pursue acting after watching Heath Ledger’s portrayal of the Joker in the 2008 Christopher Nolan film The Dark Knight. Prior to Priscilla, the rising actor has been known for the 2018 Netflix movie The Kissing Booth and the HBO drama Euphoria. It’s possible his budding career might have taken a different turn without Eminem’s influence.
“I feel like more and more, I have to thank him so much, you know, for getting rid of [the accent],” Elordi said.
Elordi learned about Elvis from a Disney movie
While Elordi could probably recite Eminem verses on cue, the aspiring actor knew little about Presley as a child.
During a recent appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, he admitted his only familiarity with Elvis was from watching the 2002 animated Disney movie Lilo & Stitch. The flick features a handful of Presley’s iconic songs on its soundtrack, including “Suspicious Minds” and “Heartbreak Hotel,” and the titular characters impersonate the singer throughout.
“I mean, [Elvis] definitely wasn’t on my list of people to play,” he told the talk show host. “It was definitely, it was a little bit terrifying.”
Elordi explained that, during the audition process, he watched a video of Presley returning from his military service to familiarize himself with the crooner’s voice and mannerisms. He recorded only two takes after reading his lines, not thinking it would go anywhere. Instead, director Sofia Coppola liked him enough to offer his biggest role to date.
Priscilla Presley praised his performance
In an October 2023 interview with Vanity Fair, Elordi explained that his voice is already in Elvis’ register. However, he also wanted his portrayal to match the movie’s more intimate screenplay.
Priscilla is primarily based on Priscilla Presley’s 1985 memoir Elvis and Me and focuses on her tumultuous relationship with the late singer, as opposed to his music and legacy. “I think, for me, it was trying to invent what he would sound like behind closed doors because everyone has, you know, a performing voice and a speaking voice,” Elordi said.
Ultimately, Elordi’s vocals received a seal of approval from the most important critic—Priscilla herself. “When we watched the film with Priscilla the first time, what struck her the most was how much his voice sounded like Elvis. So that was a big thrill, I think,” Coppola said.
Or, as Elordi called it, “a great relief.”
See Priscilla in theaters now
You can hear Elordi’s Elvis voice for yourself—Priscilla opened in theaters Friday. His performance is already drawing plenty of intrigue, with Screen Rant describing his voice acting as “more realistic, authentic, and natural” compared to Austin Butler’s 2022 portrayal in Elvis.
Tyler Piccotti joined the Biography.com staff as an Associate News Editor and is now the News and Culture Editor. He previously worked as a reporter and copy editor for a daily newspaper recognized by the Associated Press Sports Editors. In his current role, he shares the true stories behind your favorite movies and TV shows and profiles rising musicians, actors, and athletes. When he's not working, you can find him at the nearest amusement park or movie theater and cheering on his favorite teams.
