Many have tried to imitate Elvis Presley – but nothing can truly compare to the original. Or can it?
When Dakota Striplin stepped onto the stage of The Voice and began singing the timeless classic Love Me Tender, the judges were instantly moved.
But it wasn’t just his voice that stunned them. After his performance, Dakota dropped a bombshell that nearly made the judges fall out of their chairs…
A few years ago, a charismatic young man appeared on The Voice Australia. The 24-year-old Dakota Striplin stole the show when he performed Elvis Presley’s 1956 ballad, Love Me Tender. The resemblance to the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll was uncanny. Dakota had Elvis’s distinctive jawline, the same hairstyle, and, most notably, a golden voice that brought back memories of the legendary performer.
Even his nose and eyebrows echoed Elvis’s features. During the performance, Dakota captivated the audience with his smooth, honeyed voice, and he also showcased his guitar skills, adding an emotional touch to his performance. The crowd erupted in applause, and it was no surprise—many in the audience likely thought they were witnessing Elvis’s grandson live on stage.
The judges were equally impressed. Before Dakota finished the first verse, two of them had already turned their chairs and hit their buttons. The third judge, Guy Sebastian, almost pressed his button but hesitated at the last second—something he would later regret.
But what about the connection to Elvis Presley? When you compare side-by-side photos of Dakota and Elvis, the likeness is undeniable. And the mystery deepened when Dakota revealed that he might actually be the King’s grandson.
“I always loved Elvis. He’s been a big idol for me since I was little. But recently, my dad found out that his father wasn’t his biological father, and there’s a lot of history with my grandma. She used to work at Elvis concerts and apparently knew him,” Dakota shared.
While look-alikes of Elvis occasionally appear, it’s rare for them to have more than just a striking physical resemblance. Elvis had only one grandson, Benjamin, who was the spitting image of the King.
But regardless of any family connection, Dakota Striplin proved he has incredible talent, and I’m sure Elvis would have appreciated his rendition of the classic ’50s hit. Dakota later showed his versatility by performing several other songs, including an energetic version of I Just Can’t Wait To Be King from The Lion King. Watch the clip below and enjoy his amazing performance for yourself!
This Iconic Actress is 91 and Radiating Beauty—See Her Stunning Transformation
Carol Burnett, the famous comedy legend, turned 91 in April!
After many years of making us laugh, Burnett still shines bright. NBC honored her amazing career last year with a special tribute called *Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter and Love.*
Many of Hollywood’s biggest stars attended the event to honor Burnett, sharing their admiration on the red carpet.
**Birthday Tributes to Burnett**
One of the attendees was Julie Andrews, the legendary star of *The Sound of Music* and a close friend of Burnett. She joked, “She brings out the best in me, and I think I bring out the worst in her. I don’t know why!”
Andrews remembered meeting Burnett at a Chinese restaurant long ago: “When we met, no one else could get a word in. We bonded like that, and it has never changed,” Burnett said about their lasting friendship.
Music icon Cher also shared stories about her friendship with Carol Burnett.
“I would sneak out through the fence to go to the farmer’s market, and we played practical jokes on each other,” Cher said. “It was just easy and fun, and that’s all we wanted to do.”
Actress Jane Lynch remembered meeting Burnett for the first time: “I was firmly in love; she’s exactly the person you hope she would be,” she told the Hollywood Reporter.
The guest list for the tribute show, which was taped in March, included many big names from both the past and present. Stars like Lily Tomlin, Steve Carell, Laura Dern, Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Oprah, Michelle Obama, Steve Martin, Martin Short, Allison Janney, Jimmy Fallon, and Ellen DeGeneres all participated in celebrating Burnett’s remarkable career.
According to Playbill, some of Broadway’s biggest stars, like Bernadette Peters, Billy Porter, Sutton Foster, and Kristin Chenoweth, will perform musical numbers in honor of Burnett. She herself is a Broadway veteran, having received Tony nominations for *Once Upon a Mattress* and *Moon Over Buffalo*.
“I’m so excited NBC decided to throw me a birthday party and invited all of my closest friends,” Burnett said in a statement. “I can’t wait to look back at so many wonderful moments throughout my career. I feel so lucky to share this night with everyone.”
Carol Burnett is best known for her groundbreaking variety/sketch series, *The Carol Burnett Show*, which aired for 11 seasons on CBS. It was the first show of its kind hosted by a woman, and Burnett is widely seen as a trailblazer for female comedians.
She has recently received many lifetime achievement awards, including the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor and the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award.
In 2019, the Golden Globes named their television lifetime achievement award after her, calling it the “Carol Burnett Award,” and she was the first person to receive it.
Last year, she returned to TV with an important guest role in the final season of *Better Call Saul*.
In an interview before her 90th birthday, Burnett shared that she doesn’t feel her age, calling herself a “late bloomer” compared to other performers.
“I can’t wrap my head around it,” Burnett told *People Magazine*. “I still feel like I’m about 11, but I’m amazed. It sure went fast. But I’m glad because I’ve got all my parts — my hips, my knees, and my brain, so I’m happy about that.”
As Carol Burnett celebrated her 91st birthday on April 26, the television legend was still making waves. She recently celebrated her role in the new miniseries *Palm Royale*, appeared on the cover of *Harper’s Bazaar* in March, and almost saw her playful birthday wish involving *Maestro* star Bradley Cooper come true during her appearance on *Jimmy Kimmel Live!* just days earlier.
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