MEAWW.COM / NEWS / CELEBRITY NEWS

'Nonsense': Austin Butler's voice coach slammed for defending his 'Elvis' accent after Golden Globes speech

Bartlett, who trained Butler for his role in 'Elvis', explained the reason why Butler still sounds like the late superstar, and that his accent might remain 'forever'

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA: Austin Butler's voice coach Irene Bartlett has come to his defense after people started questioning his 'Elvis' accent after his speech at the Golden Globes. Bartlett said that his accent might be "forever".

Recently, Butler won a Golden Globe for Best Actor for his iconic role and puzzled the fans as he continued to speak in the King's famous Memphis drawl. After his speech, a lot of fans refused to believe that accent is real and started to wonder if it was put on. However, according to Butler’s voice coach, his new voice is authentic. Bartlett, who trained the 31-year-old star for his role in 'Elvis', explained the reason why Butler still sounds like the late superstar, and that his accent might remain "forever."

READ MORE 

Internet goes gaga as Madonna channels Virgin Mary and recreates Last Supper for Vanity Fair’s Icon Issue

Teresa Giudice claims 'RHONJ' co-star Margaret Josephs is as 'toxic' and 'messy' as Lisa Rinna

Bartlett explains Butler's accent

"What you saw in that Golden Globes speech, that's him. It's genuine, it's not put on," Bartlett said on ABC's Gold Coast on January 16, referring to Butler's acceptance speech. "I feel sorry people are saying that, you know, it's still acting [but] he’s actually taken the voice of Presley on board," she said, adding that the change might be permanent, "I don't know how long that will last, or if it’s going to be there forever."

Fans have been confused about the change in his voice since filming for 'Elvis' wrapped in March 2021 and the movie was released June 24, 2022. However, Bartlett further explained why Austin still sounds like he did in the movie. "Because of COVID shutdowns, he was working on it all the time and it’s difficult to switch off something you’ve spent so much focus and time on."

"You know, when he came into his singing lessons he was dressed in 50s-style gear. He was never going to be, and director Baz Luhrmann didn’t want him to be, an Elvis impersonator, that’s the last thing they wanted him to be. What they wanted was a true connection with the personality of Elvis and his story and that’s what Austin worked on," Bartlett said. 

Austin Butler on his accent

Butler compared his accent to that of someone who lives in another country when he spoke with reporters in the Winners' Room after his big win.

"I don't even think about it. I don't think I sound like him still, but I guess I haven’t noticed ’cause I hear it a lot. I think, I often liken it to when somebody lives in another country for a long time, and I had three years where that was my only focus in life, so I’m sure that there’s just pieces of my DNA that will always be linked in that way," he said.

When the pandemic started, the 'Elvis' set was shut down indefinitely. Butler was so dedicated to perfecting his role as Elvis that he didn't see his family for three years while he prepped for the film in Australia. He declined an invitation to be flown back home to Los Angeles and decided to use the lockdown as an opportunity to submerge himself in all things Elvis.

Fans slam Bartlett for defending Butler's accent

Fans took to Twitter to make fun of Bartlett's response. One fan posted a video saying, "Austin butler: *keeps doing the elvis voice* most of twitter for some reason:" the video said, "He can't keep getting away with this."

Another fan said, "Stop making fun of this. i studied abroad as elvis for a semester in college and i never lost my accent either." One fan joked, "He needs to take a new role as an oompa loompa Accent changed."

Another fan said, "I just can't even. Excuse me, I have go cure myself." One said, "Me when Austin Butler walks up to the Golden Globes stage to accept his award and still has that southern accent. You are from California."

One user simply said, "I’m not even gonna try to comprehend this nonesense." Another fan joked, "Exact same thing happen to me with my Johnny Bravo accent, whoa momma!"

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.