Priscilla Presley’s 37-year-old son is defending himself after asking for financial help with his new business venture.
Navarone Garcia, who is the son of Priscilla and screenwriter Marco Garibaldi, raised eyebrows Friday when he launched a GoFundMe to raise money for an “affordable organic pizza” business that he wants to run out of his Los Angeles driveway. The musician said on the page that he already saved $3,000 for the project, but aimed to raise $5,500 more so that he can afford an industrial pizza oven.
However, the fundraiser sparked backlash as people on social media wondered why Garcia did not ask his famous mother, 81, to help cover the cost — but Garcia told TMZ that he does not plan to ask Presley, the ex-wife of Elvis Presley, to pitch in for his budget.
“She loves the idea but I can't ask for money for every whimsical idea I have or we both would be broke,” he told the outlet. He added that Presley will support the business once it is up and running.
The Independent has reached out to Presley for additional comment.
Garcia, who is the half-brother of the late Lisa Marie Presley, is the lead singer of the Los Angeles-based band Them Guns. He wrote in the GoFundMe page’s description, “I have always wanted to start my own business, but marketing and advertising always get in my way. As well as having the whole brick and mortar shop to add another expense.”
In his original Instagram post defending the crowdfunding, Garcia wrote that he regularly donates his money and has “crazy ADD [Attention Deficit Disorder].”
“Haters gonna hate… and I’m sure I’ll have to explain this many more times to ignorant people who think I should ‘ask my mom’ or that I have money,” he wrote. “YEAH, I also have a lot of bills, I also have a budget, I also donate to other causes… I also give to the homeless… I just don’t film and put it on YouTube… but, I also have crazy ADD and try to do lots of things.”
He went on to explain, “If I just went all in every time I thought I had a great idea… I’d be broke in two days.”
In an Instagram post shared Saturday, Garcia compared the people donating to his GoFundMe to investors in his business.
“It’s crazy how many people seem to think every business is created by asking someone’s mom for money,” Garcia wrote in his caption. “Of all the business i know, NOONE just went all in with their own money. Investors are a thing, and people love PiZZA! And pizza THEY SHALL RECIEVE! [sic] Peace and love everybody!”
