Austin Butler Reflects on Childhood Memories with Late Mother Through Fragrance

Austin Butler, renowned for his acting roles and most recently portraying Elvis Presley, has shared a poignant insight into his personal life and how certain scents hold cherished memories of his late mother, Lori.

The 31-year-old actor lost his mother to cancer on September 12, 2014, which led to a period of grief and introspection. During a conversation with The Times, while discussing his new Yves Saint Laurent fragrance, Butler revealed that the smell of orange blossom brings back precious memories of his childhood with his mother.

Recalling his earliest olfactory memory, Butler explained, “Interestingly it is the orange blossom. Because in my childhood home, there was this orange tree in the backyard and I remember so vividly when the tree would bloom. My mother and I would go into the backyard and pick oranges and then go inside to make orange juice. And that really hit me.”

Butler’s new fragrance, which is linked to Yves Saint Laurent, incorporates notes of orange blossom, making the connection even more poignant for him.

He also touched upon the impact of his mother’s passing on his career and his contemplation of the nobility of his chosen profession. He mentioned how he questioned his path after his mother’s passing, thinking about whether acting was meaningful in the face of more substantial challenges, such as cancer.

Austin’s career began at a young age, starting with roles on the Disney Channel and Nickelodeon. Reflecting on his journey, he shared, “I started at about 12. I just stumbled into extra work. I was an incredibly shy kid. If that kid knew that I was sitting around all my heroes right now, talking like this in public, he wouldn’t believe it. But being around other actors, suddenly I felt like I’d found my tribe.”

He also opened up about the period following his mother’s passing, his time of introspection and grappling with his path. He revealed how he took time off from acting and the subsequent challenges he faced, eventually finding his way back through a role in a revival of ‘The Iceman Cometh’, a pivotal moment that rejuvenated his career.

Austin Butler’s candid reflections provide a glimpse into the personal struggles and triumphs that have shaped his career and life journey.