Britainâs youngest Elvis impersonator has been invited to perform at Presleyâs Graceland home in Memphis.
Talented Cooper Worthington has been a lifelong fan of the King of Rock ânâ Roll, and if the honor of singing at the Kingâs house wasnât enough, it happens that he will take the stage on the day marking the 48th anniversary of Presleyâs death.
12-year-old Cooper was described by his mom, Kelly Worthington, as a âtypical pre-teenâ who just happens to have a love for performing. His interest in Elvis was sparked by Freddie Mercuryâs love of the same, and it was only after Cooper heard Mercury talk about Elvis in an old interview that he decided to see what his idol was fussing about.
If Cooperâs journey continues, there may come a point where that story ends with the phrase âand the rest, they say, is history.â
âWe thought we would reach out to America because Cooper is the UKâs youngest working performing Elvis tribute at the moment,â said his mother Kelly Worthington.
Sending over a collection of videos and social media content, Elvis Presley Enterprises replied with a contract offer that will see the young man head to Graceland for two performing slots.
Cooper âcould not believe itâ when he was told.
âWe are both so excited,â said Worthington. âCooper wanted to go to Memphis for years and I have been saving up and working as hard as I can to take us both there. It is going to be a once in a lifetime experience.â
âSo far in his little life he has had loads of amazing opportunities so we do feel really lucky.â
The plan is to impersonate young 1950âs Elvis because of Cooperâs age.
âWe have got the Pink Cadillac outfit, the gold blazer, the GI Blues outfit, the Jailhouse Rock outfitâIâll let him choose,â said Worthington.
While the family has received criticism for letting his star shine too brightly at such a young age, Worthington argues that they couldnât have stopped him if they had wanted to.
âHe entered a school talent competition and won the whole show,â she remembered. âA couple of weeks ago he was asked to perform as Elvis as part of our local festival week and keeps getting invited to perform.â
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âHe wants to go on Britainâs Got Talent. We havenât pushed him at all, we couldnât have stopped himâhe just loves it so much and is [sic] his passion. He knows all of Elvisâ songs now and has perfected the dance moves. Heâs also grown hair his long enough to quiff it himself naturally.â
âHe has even found an old American hair gel that Elvis used to use. He now just wants to be famous. His eyes light up when he is on stage.â
Cooper also spoke to Britainâs SWNS media outlet, and very much backed up what his mother described.
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âI love Elvisâ singing the best,â he said. âMy favorite song is Jailhouse Rock and my dream is to perform in Las Vegas and have my own show.â
âI got into performing by watching performers on telly and YouTube and live shows and wanted to do it myself. My dad wants me to be a rugby player like him, but I love performing like my mom.â
WATCH him do his stuff below (and maybe give him a like and a follow on YouTube)âŚ