17-year-old showgirl met Elvis Presley while performing in Las Vegas — his golden advice changed her life
Sometimes it takes us another’s insight or advice to realize our true potential. If we’re lucky, this other person can be someone as special as Elvis Presley. Cassandra Peterson, American actress and singer, needed a realization from Presley to become the powerful and iconic personality she is today, as she revealed in a clip shared by AP News. As a then-17-year-old showgirl in Las Vegas, Peterson was performing when she met the legendary artist and struck up a conversation. It resulted in priceless advice from the singer that stuck with her and “100% changed her life” for the better.
Peterson was exposed to a new idea of a showgirl from Presley’s “Viva Las Vegas,” a musical comedy directed by George Sidney in 1964, per Parade. It was then her dream to perform as one. She was the youngest showgirl at the time, performing for “Vive Les Girls” at the Dunes Hotel. That’s when she met the star, who challenged her to reconsider what she could truly be. “This is no place for a 17-year-old girl. You need to get the hell out of here,” Presley told her. His remark might have already stirred feelings inside of her. However, the star went one step beyond.
“We sat down at the piano and he played. And I sang along with him. It was unbelievable,” Peterson recalled. That’s when Presley offered guidance that changed her track of life. “He said, ‘You have a nice voice. Why don’t you become a singer? Do that. Take some voice lessons',” the woman recounted. He may have just shown her a different path, or perhaps it was his influence; either way, it went on to become a motivating factor in determining Peterson’s future. “When Elvis tells you to do something, you think, maybe I can do this,” she explained. The then-teenager left for Europe to pursue a career in singing and acting.
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Presley was not wrong; Peterson was cut out for far more. She appeared in Italian films, performed as the lead singer for an Italian band and even dabbled in other ventures. She was a crucial part of an improv comedy group, “The Groundlings,” and later even starred in a movie titled “Elvira: Mistress of the Dark,” where she earned sensational fame. Now popularly known as Elvira, the world loves her personality and talent, all because she was encouraged by a kind-hearted artist who recognized her skill. “I tell everyone I was the youngest showgirl in Las Vegas at the time. I would now be the oldest showgirl in Las Vegas. Probably be doing it still,” she joked.
@apnewsentertainment Cassandra Peterson says Elvis Presley “saved my life" when she met him as a 17-year-old showgirl in Las Vegas. #cassandrapeterson #elvira #elvispresley #elvis ♬ original sound - AP Entertainment
Decades later and the woman still credits the singer for helping her make the big move. She reposted the interview on her TikTok. “So, thank you, Elvis. Oh, you saved my life,” she said. Her story received much love from the internet. People were glad to have someone like Peterson and her talent contributed to the world. @Bearded_Zaddy2 said, “One of the finest women to exist on this planet.” @nancidavxd added, “Elvis with his heart of gold.” @shawnboyva remarked, “You are as much an icon as he is.”
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