Diane Sawyer is facing criticism over her 2003 interview with Lisa Marie Presley, during which she probed the singer about her marriage to Michael Jackson.
Lisa Marie Presley, the only child of the legendary Elvis Presley, tragically passed away in January 2023 at the age of 54. The cause of her death was later disclosed as a bowel obstruction.
The news of Presley’s untimely death sent ripples through Hollywood, especially coming just a few months after the BAFTA Award-winning biopic about her father, portrayed by Austin Butler, was released.
Lisa Marie Presley was not only the daughter of a rock and roll icon but also a celebrated singer in her own right, having inherited her father’s musical abilities. Her marriage to Michael Jackson in 1994 brought her further fame, though the union was short-lived, ending in 1996.
In the 2003 interview, Diane Sawyer questioned Presley about her relationship with Jackson, asking, “Why did you marry Michael Jackson? What were you doing?” Presley, visibly uncomfortable, responded, “Urm, I haven’t thought much about this and what I was going to say. I just figured [the answer] would fly out of my mouth.”
Sawyer also brought up a previous interview with Jackson and Presley together, expressing skepticism about their claim that they lived together. She even suggested that Presley’s marriage to Jackson was an attempt to upset her mother, Priscilla Presley.
The interview from 21 years ago has resurfaced online, prompting discussions about its content.
One commenter on X described Sawyer’s approach as ‘harsh’, writing: “Diana was a little harsh. Still can’t believe Lisa is gone.”
Others online questioned the rationale behind criticizing someone for marrying a global superstar. “How does one shame another person for marrying one of the most popular persons to ever live?” asked one individual.
Comments on the interview’s discomfort continued, with another person noting, “It was awful to watch.”
On YouTube, where a clip of the interview is available, viewers have criticized Sawyer’s interviewing style. “The interviewer should feel ashamed of herself,” noted one viewer, while another added, “Diane Sawyer was so unprofessional in this interview.”