Unveiling Tura Satana: The Untold Story of Her Romance with Elvis Presley
Tura Satana, a renowned showgirl, is rumored to have had a passionate romance with Elvis Presley in the early days of their careers. The documentary "Tura!", narrated by Margaret Cho, delves into their relationship based on accounts from close friends and colleagues. Pamela Des Barres, who spoke to Satana about her connection with Presley, reveals that their relationship began when Presley was still unknown, and Satana didn't even recognize him at first. Their bond grew stronger when Presley visited Satana's show and expressed interest in learning her dance moves. Satana claimed that Presley even proposed to her in a Chicago park, but she never intended to marry him. Despite this, they maintained a close friendship until Presley's death in 1977.
Satana's manager, Siouxzan Perry, shares that Satana and Presley had a deep friendship, and Presley often sought her advice. Satana wore a large diamond ring given to her by Presley throughout her life, and Perry now owns and wears the ring in her memory. Satana, who passed away in 2011 at the age of 72, had two children, Jade and Lani. Lani, one of her daughters, recalls meeting Presley as a child and shares a surprising revelation about her biological father. For years, Lani believed Tony Bennett was her father, but a DNA test later revealed that comedian Marty Allen was her biological father.
The documentary "Tura!", directed by Cody Jarrett, provides a comprehensive look at Satana's life as a dancer, actress, mother, and feminist icon. It explores her challenging upbringing marked by racism and assault. The film features interviews with notable figures like John Waters, Dita Von Teese, and Kitten Natividad, who share their insights into Satana's life. "Tura!" is currently showing at the Lumiere Theater in Los Angeles, offering audiences a glimpse into the extraordinary life of Tura Satana.