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We Saw You: Austin Butler is a Golden Globes King

Michael Donahue re-visits his visit with Austin Butler, who won a Golden Globe for his performance as the King in the movie, “Elvis.”

 I knew Austin Butler was going to win a Golden Globe Award the other night. Not that I really “knew” — as if I had a list of who was going to win what. But I just had a premonition.

Butler won best performer by an actor in a drama for his role as the King in Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis movie at the Foreign Press Association awards ceremony, which was held January 10th at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California. Among those seated at his table were Priscilla Presley, Lisa Marie Presley, and Jerry Schilling.

I was very happy when I heard Butler’s name announced as I watched the show on TV. What a great guy. I only met him one time. That was during the Memphis premiere of the movie June 11th at the Guest House at Graceland.

First off, Butler complimented me as soon as he met me that night. He said I had a good look. He liked the hair and my bolo tie. Maybe the glasses, too. I think he meant it. And I’m a pushover.

Austin Butler at the Memphis premiere of Elvis at the Guest House at Graceland (Credit: Michael Donahue)

But he was so engaging and friendly and he answered my questions. I posted a “We Saw You” column about the premiere, but I never posted the video I took while I interviewed him.

So, here it is. It’s short and I probably sound like an idiot, but it gives you an idea of why I knew Butler was going to win a Golden Globe.

We Saw You

By Michael Donahue

Michael Donahue began his career in 1975 at the now-defunct Memphis Press-Scimitar and moved to The Commercial Appeal in 1984, where he wrote about food and dining, music, and covered social events until early 2017, when he joined Contemporary Media.