An Unearthed Interview Exposes The Complicated Truth About Elvis’ Lover
Elvis and Priscilla Presley’s love affair is remembered as one of the greats. But as it turns out, there was another woman in the late King of Rock’s life. This secret lover was one of Elvis’ co-stars. And a rediscovered interview finally reveals the truth about their covert romance on and off the screen.
Ann-Margret
Said woman is stunning Swedish actress Ann-Margret. Incidentally, she had been associated with Elvis long before the two of them even met. At the beginning of her singing career, you see, she had been marketed as a feminine version of Elvis — due to their similar vocal qualities. And this led to Ann-Margret working with Elvis’ very own backup singers, the Jordanaires, even releasing a cover of his smash hit “Heartbreak Hotel.”
Cast as costars
It seems, then, that Elvis and Ann-Margaret were destined to meet. And this is exactly what happened in 1963, when the pair were cast together in the movie Viva Las Vegas. Ann-Margret was a rising star by that time, having already enjoyed a massive hit with musical comedy Bye Bye Birdie. But Elvis was still the more established of the two, with Viva Las Vegas being his 14th film.
Her side of their meeting
In Ann-Margaret’s autobiography, Ann-Margret: My Story, which came out in 1994, she remembered her first meeting with the King of Rock ’n’ Roll. The actress recalled of the encounter, “Except for a piano, the MGM soundstage where Elvis and I met was empty. In the background, a few of his guys hung around observing their boss — a ritual I would soon come to expect.”
Breaking the ice
Apparently, Director George Sidney introduced Ann-Margret to Elvis as “a wonderful young lady.” The Swedish star wrote, “The significance was lost on Elvis and me. I reached out my hand, and he shook it gently. ‘I’ve heard a lot about you,’ we said at the same time, which made us laugh and broke the ice.”
