Relive The Legend Of Elvis Presley At The Upcoming Meet And Greet With Donna Presley
On May 16, Donna Presley, a first cousin of The King, will be in Kuala Lumpur for a single evening to talk about the rock and roll legend and their families.
Elvis Aaron Presley, the King of Rock and Roll, remains as one of the 20th century’s most culturally significant figures. Come May 16, 2026, Malaysian fans of The King and his enduring music and electric performances will be able to peel away the layers with Donna Presley, his first cousin, in what will be the only meet-and-greet event for her in the Far East.
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Donna, who is the daughter of Nashval Presley—the youngest sibling to Vernon Presley (Elvis’ father)—spent summers in Graceland, working alongside her uncle Vernon at the Graceland office managing fan correspondence and administration. She is also currently the chair of the advisory board of the Mississippi Music Foundation, serving as a motivational speaker, author, and humanitarian.
‘Donna Presley – From My Heart’ is a single intimate evening held at The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur’s event space, The Canopy. This evening was conceived by Karen Barnes, founder and principal of the Kuala Lumpur-based Karen Barnes Dance studio. Barnes and Donna have shared a close friendship, first connecting through the former’s choreographic work using Elvis’s music. “As part of the process, I was researching his performance and artistry in depth, and it became clear that to truly understand the work, I needed to understand the man, which led me to Donna,” Barnes says.
She adds, “What began as a professional connection quickly became something far more personal. Through constant communication and a shared purpose, our relationship deepened into something that feels like family. There is a trust and closeness between us that goes beyond a typical friendship, closer in truth to that of sisters.”
For Donna, whose favourite Elvis songs are ‘How Great Thou Art’ and ‘An American Trilogy’, the opportunity to come to Kuala Lumpur came naturally with her friendship with Barnes. “I will be hosting an intimate evening where I will share personal stories of Elvis and our family life at home,” she shares. “It is important to me to offer a glimpse of the real person behind the icon, and to gently address some of the misconceptions that have developed over the years.”
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This two-hour encounter, featuring a meet and photo session with Donna Presley, also sees The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur’s culinary team serve up a canapés menu which incorporates touches of Southern hospitality, a tip of the hat to Elvis Presley’s roots. Among the culinary highlights are petit fours, traditional cheese and crackers, and The King’s favourite order: peanut butter and banana sandwiches, burgers and fresh fruits, including cantaloupe, which Elvis Presley frequently had served with vanilla ice cream.
Tickets may be purchased directly online here for RM180 per ticket, excluding a RM4 ticketing fee and processing fee.
Courtesy of Donna Presley / Karen Barnes and YTL Hotels
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