Did Priscilla Presley Really Leave Elvis for a Karate Instructor? The Tupelo Parallel Kings Explained

Netflix The Kings of Tupelo Documentary series is set in Elvis Presley's hometown, and there is a reference to Priscilla Presley's relationship with a karate instructor – but is it true? The three-episode documentary series The Kings of Tupelo takes viewers to the city of Tupelo, Mississippi, home to many Elvis Presley fans and impersonators. The series mainly focuses on Paul Kevin Curtis, a successful Elvis impersonator born and raised in Tupelo, who ended up embroiled in a scandal over poisoned letters sent to politicians, including President Obama.

The Kings of Tupelo takes a twist when Kevin Curtis is framed, and the real mastermind behind the poisoned letters was Everett Dutschke, a local politician. Dutschke and Kevin's rivalry was growing and came to a head with Kevin's cards and framing, but there was a lot going on between the two. As the documentary explores how the rivalry came about and what they thought of each other, Kevin points out a parallel between their situation and the story of Elvis Presley, mentioning that Priscilla Presley left the King of Rock and Roll for a karate instructor.

Priscilla Presley had an affair with her karate instructor

Priscilla Presley was still married to Elvis Presley

As mentioned above, Tupelo is the birthplace of Elvis Presley and as such there are tributes to the King everywhere, many impersonators, shows and a huge and loyal fan base. The life and career of Elvis Presley is well known to Tupelo residents, and as an Elvis impersonator himself, Kevin Curtis knows the Elvis story very well. All over The Kings of TupeloKevin doesn't make comparisons between himself and Elvis, except when he points out that Priscilla Presley left him for a karate instructor… and it's true.

During the final years of Priscilla and Elvis Presley's marriage, the two had affairs. Priscilla was convinced by Elvis to take karate lessons and, as she wanted to share her husband's interests, she agreed (via Elvis and meby Priscilla Presley). Priscilla met instructor Mike Stone at a karate championship hosted by Elvis' instructor and began taking lessons from him. Priscilla and Stone began an affairwhich ended up contributing to his separation from Elvis, but was not the reason for it.

After Priscilla's divorce from Elvis in 1973, Priscilla lived with Stone and they separated in 1975. The reason for the separation is that Stone sold a story to a tabloid about how he “stole” Elvis' wife, which Priscilla did not tolerate . Priscilla Presley never remarried, but she had other romantic relationships after her divorce from Elvis.

Parallel explanation of Kevin Curtis and Elvis Presley from The Kings Of Tupelo

Kevin Curtis found an interesting parallel with the king of rock and roll

The parallel that Kevin Curtis points out when mentioning Priscilla's affair with her karate instructor is related to Everett Dutschke. In addition to being a politician, Dutschke was also a well-known martial arts instructor and black belt. When Dutschke arrived in Tupelo, he began working with Kevin's older brother, Jack, and Kevin's ex-wife, Laura, also worked with him as a secretary. Dutschke was very charming and he and Laura became very close, with the latter admitting in The Kings of Tupelo to develop a crush on him, but they never pursued anything beyond friendship.

However, for Kevin, Dutschke and Laura were having an affairalthough it is implied that he and Laura were already divorced. This is why Kevin points out the parallel between Priscilla's affair with her karate instructor and how it contributed to her divorce and Laura getting close to Dutschke, a karate instructor, and Kevin being an Elvis impersonator. Although The Kings of Tupelo is not about the life and career of Elvis Presley, but it has brought to light a fundamental part of his story.

Source: Elvis and me.