Baz Luhrmannis paying his respects toLisa Marie Presley.
TheElvisdirector, 60, rememberedLisa Marie, who died Thursday at the age of 54, in a message on Instagram Friday, alongside a photo of Lisa Marie andElvisactorAustin Butlerlaughing together.
“Over the last year, the entireElvismovie family and I have felt the privilege of Lisa Marie’s kind embrace,” Luhrmann wrote. “Hersudden, shocking loss has devastatedpeople all around the world. I know her fans everywhere join me in sharing prayers of love and support with her mother, Priscilla, and her wonderful daughters Riley, Finley and Harper.”
“Lisa Marie, we will miss your warmth, your smile, your love,” he concluded.
Lisa Marie’s motherPriscilla Presleyconfirmed her death to PEOPLE in a statement Thursday night.
“It is with a heavy heart that I must share the devastating news that my beautiful daughter Lisa Marie has left us,” began Priscilla, 77. “She was the most passionate strong and loving woman I have ever known. We ask for privacy as we try to deal with this profound loss. Thank you for the love and prayers. At this time there will be no further comment.”
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The Presley family has been open about their love for Luhrmann’s film, which was released last year and stars Butler, 31, asElvis Presley.
Lisa Marie Presley and Baz Luhrmann in December.Jesse Grant/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty
“From the moment she came into our world,Shonka brought joy, spiritand of course her voice and her music,” he continued. “Whenever she was on set, on stage or even just in the room, everyone always felt uplifted.”
Noting that “Shonka was just starting to find a larger audience for her tremendous talent,” Luhrmann added, “I got to see her uplift whole crowds of people at Coachella and beyond.”
“A favorite word of Shonka’s, in daily use, was ‘blessings,’ and I, along with the entire Elvis cast, crew and musical collaborators, feel truly blessed to have had time with her,” he concluded. “We send all our love and support to Shonka’s children and family at this time.”
source: people.com
