Riley Keough says she was 'in tears for a week' over Austin Butler's portrayal of her grandfather in 'Elvis'

• Riley Keough said she had an emotional reaction to Austin Butler's performance in "Elvis."
• She heaped praise on the Oscar-nominated actor on "Live With Kelly and Ryan," on Tuesday.

Riley Keough has praised Austin Butler's Oscar-nominated portrayal of her late grandfather in "Elvis."

Appearing on "Live With Kelly and Ryan" on Tuesday to promote her new Amazon Prime Video series, "Daisy Jones & The Six," in which she plays a rock 'n' roll icon herself, Keough was asked her thoughts on Butler's performance in the Baz Luhrmann-directed biopic.

The 33-year-old actor said that she thought Butler was "outstanding and incredible" in the role and admitted: "I couldn't have imagined anyone being able to pull off what he did in terms of embodying my grandfather."

"It was really shocking and emotional," she continued. "It totally blew me away."

Keough said that when she first watched the film she hadn't yet met Butler in person, but "was just so in awe of what he did" that she decided to shoot him a text expressing her admiration.

"I'd never met him, but I texted him the minute I got out of the theater," she said, adding that the "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" star responded with gratitude for her kind words.

"I think he said something along the lines of, 'That means so much to me that you and your family feel that way.' I can't remember, but I was in tears for like a week because of the film, but also because of his performance."

Keough said that while past portrayals of Elvis have felt like a "caricature," Butler was able to "capture the humanity" of the legendary singer, who died at the age of 42 in 1977.

Keough hasn't been the only one in the Presley family to praise the film. Her grandmother, Priscilla Presley — who she is currently in a legal battle with over her mother Lisa Marie Presley's will — has also shared her reaction to the film.

Speaking to E! News in January at the Golden Globes, Priscilla said that her late husband would have been "impressed" by Butler's uncanny take on him, adding that the 31-year-old actor "nailed it."

Meanwhile, Lisa Marie, who unexpectedly passed away in January at the age of 54, was a vocal supporter of the film from her first viewing.

In a series of tweets posted in May 2022, ahead of the film's premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, she said that Butler's portrayal of Elvis was done "accurately and respectfully," adding that he "channeled and embodied my father's heart & soul beautifully."

"In my humble opinion, his performance is unprecedented and FINALLY done accurately and respectfully. (If he doesn't get an Oscar for this, I will eat my own foot, haha.)," she added.

The film has received eight Oscar nominations, making it the fourth most-nominated picture at this year's Academy Awards.

Butler, to the surprise of no one, got a nod in the best actor category. "Elvis" is also up for best sound, best costume design, best makeup and hairstyling, best production design, best film editing, best cinematography, and best picture.