Church of Scientology wants to snag 'Elvis' star Austin Butler after Lisa Marie Presley's demise, says source
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The Church of Scientology reportedly has its eyes on 'Elvis' star Austin Butler and wants to rope him in as one of its members following the tragic death of Lisa Marie Presley. Several Hollywood icons are linked to the religious group, including Tom Cruise and John Travolta.
Butler took home the award for best actor for 'Elvis' at the 76th BAFTA Awards held on February 19 at the Royal Festival Hall in London. After winning, he thanked and paid tribute to Lisa Marie Presley for her immense support and dedication to the movie. Elvis Presley's only child died in January, shortly after the film triumphed at the Golden Globes.
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"Priscilla Presley joined Scientology after Elvis died and never officially left the church," a source with knowledge told RadarOnline. They added, "Her famous friendship with Austin — and famous Scientologist Tom Cruise's sudden interest in the young star — is no coincidence." Insiders believe the religious group is scouting for a fresh face to stand alongside their poster boy Cruise.
Now that Butler is at the height of his career with an Oscar nomination, he is allegedly being considered the top candidate for the job. As mentioned, several Hollywood names are associated with the controversial church, including Elisabeth Moss, Jenna Elfman, and Danny Masterson. Late stars Kirstie Alley, Leah Remini, and Lisa Marie were also members at some point.
Lisa Marie Presley's confessions
Elvis' only child opened up about her decision to leave the religion in an alleged interview with Scientology critic Tony Ortega. Lisa Marie had reportedly joined the church at age 9 when her mother was recruited by Travolta's assistant, Sylvia “Spanky” Taylor. She allegedly accused the church's leader David Miscavige of preying on her family's fortune, claiming she was forced to divorce her second ex-husband Michael Jackson against her will.
“At 25, after I got the inheritance, they started grooming me to be this person who would go out and get everyone else in," Lisa Marie allegedly said in the unearthed interview after exiting the church in 2014. "I was in love with Michael, believe it or not. I didn't want to leave him. He was in trouble and I wanted to help him. And they made sure that I left him," she is said to have told Ortega.
Lisa Marie tragically lost her life in January after suffering a fatal cardiac arrest at her Los Angeles residence. Her shocking death came just days after she and Priscilla were seen cheering Butler on at the 2023 Golden Globes when he won the Best Actor in a Drama, Motion award for his portrayal of Elvis. It's worth noting that the acclaimed thespian has continued to support Lisa Marie's family in the months after her passing.
Butler thanked the Presleys in the winners’ press room following his BAFTA win last month. "It’s been a really unimaginably tragic time, you know, and grief is a long process. And so my heart and my love was with [the Presley family] always. I feel honored to have been welcomed into the family. It’s a bittersweet time," he said, as quoted by Variety. The talented actor will next be seen in Denis Villeneuve’s 'Dune: Part 2' and 'The Bikeriders', in which he will co-star with Tom Hardy. He has also been nominated for an Academy Award, with the hotly anticipated event set to take place on March 12.