Austin Butler has finally admitted his stunning Memphis accent was picked up during Friday’s episode of The Graham Norton Show.
The 31-year-old actor – who adopted a Southern accent after playing Elvis in the 2022 biopic – stunned fans at the Golden Globes by continuing to speak in the singer’s famous voice.
Earlier, Austin’s voice coach Irene Bartlett defended him, telling ABC’s Gold Coast the “accent is real” and “could stay forever.”
And now the star has admitted to show host Graham Norton that he’s still trying to shed the twang nearly two years after the film was finished.
Austin explained why he still sounds like Elvis: “I’m getting rid of the accent, but I probably damaged my vocal cords from all that singing. One song lasted 40 takes!’
Oh no: Austin Butler, 31, revealed he “probably damaged his vocal cords” when addressing his Memphis accent during Friday’s episode of The Graham Norton Show
His voice coach explained earlier this month: “What you saw in that speech at the Golden Globes, that’s him. It’s real, it’s not fake.’
“I’m sorry people say that, you know, it’s still acting [but] he is indeed taken [the voice of Presley] on board,” she said, adding that the change could be permanent: “I don’t know how long this will last or if it will be there forever.”
But at AARP The Magazine’s 21st Annual Movies for Grownups Awards ceremony last week, Austin sounded like a regular guy from Southern California, and was there to hear it.
When he spoke about how incredible it was to work with seminal director Baz, he spoke like most Los Angeles-based actors.
Speaking to Graham Norton about his Oscar nomination, Austin added: “It’s been a whirlwind and it’s amazing because when you’re making a movie you never really know how it’s going to be received.
“There were so many ways it could go wrong with this one, so it means the world to me to be received the way it has been.”
Butler was thrilled when he received the Best Actor – Motion Picture award for his work on the 2022 film Elvis – but the focus quickly shifted to his incredibly different-sounding voice.
Austin likened his accent to that of someone living in another country when speaking to reporters in the Winners’ Room after his big win.
Hard work: The actor, who took on a Southern accent after playing Elvis in the 2022 biopic, told audiences he’s still trying to ditch the accent
Confused: Austin’s voice coach previously told ABC’s Gold Coast the “accent could stay forever” after stunning fans at the Golden Globes (pictured at last month’s event)
“I don’t even think about it. I don’t think I sound like him anymore, but I guess I didn’t realize it because I hear it a lot.
“I think I often compare it to someone living in another country for a long time, and I’ve had three years where that was my only focus in life, so I’m sure there’s just bits of my DNA that will always be linked in this way.’
Austin was so committed to perfecting his role as Elvis in the acclaimed biopic, which was released last summer, that he didn’t see his family for three years while he was in Australia preparing for the film.
Speaking to Graham Norton about his Oscar nomination, he added: “It’s amazing because when you’re making a movie you never really know how it’s going to be received.”
Fun: Elsewhere on the show, Austin taught Ashley Banjo some Elvis-style dance moves
Guests: He was also joined by Michelle Yeoh and Jack Lowden (LR Michelle, Austin, Jack and Ashley).
Production for Elvis was delayed in March 2020 when one of its stars, Tom Hanks, was diagnosed with COVID-19 and hospitalized.
When the pandemic began, the Elvis set was shut down indefinitely. Butler declined an invitation to be flown back to his Los Angeles home, instead using lockdown as an opportunity to immerse himself in all things Elvis.
Butler told Variety that not only would Elvis be the “only thing” he ever thought of during this time, he would also speak with his voice because “that’s what it takes.”
The Graham Norton Show, BBC One, Friday 3 February at 10.40pm. Also available on BBC iPlayer.
On stage: Guests were treated to a performance by Mimi Webb
Coming soon: The Graham Norton Show, BBC One, Friday 3 February 10.40pm. Also available on BBC iPlayer