Shocking moment tourist jumps into Elvis Presley’s swimming pool at Graceland before being kicked out – and his wife hits back at horrified fans: ‘That’s what the pool is meant for’
This is the shocking moment a British tourist jumped into the swimming pool at Elvis Presley’s Graceland estate before being led away. His wife told angry critics that the late singer would not have wanted him arrested.
The man, identified as Tommy Purcell, ignored signs marking the area as off-limits, forcing panicked staff to rush there.
Wife Nanny Murphy insisted in a follow-up video that Purcell’s stunt was not a crime and that people were just jealous.
In a July 5 TikTok post, Purcell stepped over a low fence with a “RESTRICTED AREA: Do Not Enter” sign and walked to the pool, already shirtless.
He shakily placed one foot on the diving board, prompting a female guard to run toward him. Before she could reach him, he jumped into the pool wearing his shorts and sneakers.
Tommy Purcell jumped into the pool during a visit to Elvis Presley’s historic mansion, while his wife recorded the stunt and laughed
Although Purcell doesn’t post much on social media, his young bride has amassed more than 20,000 followers on TikTok, where her videos rack up tens of thousands of views.
In the next video, Murphy giggled off-screen as a female voice said, “You can’t go in there!” You can not do that!’
‘Serious?’ Purcell said as he walked toward the spectators.
“Elvis didn’t stop anyone!” said Murphy.
Purcell was then seen walking next to a male security guard, still shirtless and with wet hair.
‘Make me famous, please. Make me famous,” the guard said as Murphy pointed the camera at him.
The videos were viewed 14 million and 2 million times respectively.
In another TikTok, captioned “Yes, I drove into Elvis’ driveway,” Murphy filmed Purcell driving his pickup into the tree-lined driveway in front of the house.
A security guard was seen walking towards the car before the video cut.
The series of videos sparked online backlash from people, who condemned the couple for being entitled and inconsiderate.
Murphy mentioned one comment that read, “How is this funny? People are so disrespectful and I hope he is arrested.”
She partially hid her face out of frame as she emphasized that it wasn’t disrespectful to jump into a pool.
‘Elvis once saw someone jump into his pool and never stopped him. He never had them arrested and told them to stay in the pool,” she said.
‘We have been guided because they don’t want anyone else to come up with the idea of jumping in. And we didn’t get a ban, so yeah. How is that disrespectful?’
She added, “By the way, we love Elvis,” and ended the video by blaming the commenter for being “jealous.”
Another staff member then led Purcell away. Purcell was still shirtless and starred in the video with his chlorine-soaked hair
The crooner’s old home in Memphis, Tennessee was declared a National Historic Landmark in 2006.
The cheapest tickets for tours started at just under $80 in 2023. Visitors could purchase VIP tickets from $135.
The couple also visited the Elvis Presley Automobile Museum, where they posed in front of the singer’s cherry red MG car.
It didn’t appear to be their first visit to Graceland. Months before the pool incident, Murphy uploaded a video titled “Elvis Daughter Funeral.”
She pouted at the camera before turning to the Meditation Garden memorial decorated for Lisa Marie Presley, the singer’s only child.
Murphy and Purcell tied the knot in May and held a ceremony at Legacy Castle in Pompton Plains, New Jersey.
The young couple then traveled through the Midwest and South, visiting landmarks such as the Home Alone House and posing in cowboy hats in Nashville.
While Purcell keeps a low profile online, Murphy regularly posts on TikTok, and in one post claims she is from Britain.
The couple married on May 16 at Legacy Castle in New Jersey. Purcell and Murphy are both from Great Britain
Murphy uploads photos in dark makeup and skimpy outfits, showing off designer accessories like Gucci belts and Louis Vuitton bags
She visited Graceland around the time of Lisa Marie Presley’s death and is seen here in a photo entitled ‘Elvis house and plane’
She has amassed more than 20,000 followers on the app, where her profile photo features an image of Jesus.
She posts videos in which she is heavily made up, wearing midriff-baring tops and flexible designer accessories.
One video shows three Christian Louboutin bags, each costing more than $1,000, along with the caption: “Thanks to hubby.”