Harry Styles has undeniably become the Elvis Presley for the Gen Z crowd. This generation, who did not have the pleasure of growing up with the sounds of Presley’s music, may have first encountered it through Lilo & Stitch. But Styles, on the flip side, practically had Presley’s tunes as his background score. He was more of a fan than just a casual listener, from belting out the melodies to even infusing a touch of that Elvis twang into his singing. Styles has a genuine Elvis vibe, down to the core.

To top it all off, there is nothing quite like being linked to your own icon. Especially if it is by “King Henrik”, the legendary ice hockey player himself.

Henrik Lundqvist draws a parallel between Harry Styles and Elvis Presley

There is no denying that the rejection of the ‘Watermelon Sugar’ singer for the role of Elvis Presley in the biopic was a tough pill to swallow. Yet, to sweeten the pot, Styles has frequently found himself in the company of comparisons to the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. During a memorable appearance on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon, Lundqvist fondly reflected on his experience taking his kids to a Styles concert at Madison Square Garden. “It felt like we were watching Elvis,” he mused up on the comparison.

The comparison held true, and it was more than just a coincidence. Despite Austin Butler taking on the role of Presley instead of Styles, Baz Luhrmann, the director, had his own two cents to add in 2022. He claimed that Styles carried so much of Elvis Presley within him. Surprisingly, Jacob Elordi seems like the second iteration of Presley, stepping into the legend’s shoes after Butler did in the Elvis Biopic in 2022. He is slated to play Presley in Priscilla. Moreover, the trailer for Priscilla left no room for doubt, proving that he could fill the King’s shoes with style.

Adding fuel to the blazing comparisons, there are several other aspects that make Styles the new Elvis Presley, even though he is an icon in his own right.

Why Styles is the modern-day Elvis Presley?

Styles and Elvis Presley, despite their individual iconic statuses, share uncanny parallels in their careers. Both artists ignited the music scene with massive, unwavering fan bases and the allure of teenage heartthrobs. Furthermore, both artists stirred controversy by challenging societal norms. Elvis faced backlash for his allegedly obscene on-stage moves and the influence of black artists in his music. Styles sparked debates when he wore a dress on his Vogue cover, deemed by some as the “feminization of contemporary males.“

In addition to their music careers, both of them ventured into acting. Presley started with musicals and hoped to become a serious actor. Similarly, Styles transitioned into acting with roles in films like Dunkirk, Don’t Worry Darling, and The Eternals. Both artists also made history with musical residencies. Elvis initiated the Las Vegas residency phenomenon in 1969. Similarly, Styles achieved a milestone by selling out Madison Square Garden for 15 consecutive nights during his Love on Tour.

Do you agree with Lundqvist’s views on the Styles and Presley comparison? Let us know in the comments below.