Austin Butler Didn't Bring Kaia Gerber as His Oscars Date — but For a Good Reason

Austin Butler looked absolutely dapper as he attended the 2023 Oscars on March 12. Butler was a first-time nominee for his work as the titular legendary singer in "Elvis." He seemed to be flying solo at the event, since his girlfriend, Kaia Gerber, is in Austin, TX, for SXSW, where her new film "Bottoms" is premiering. But in general this award season, Gerber has mostly decided to root for her boyfriend from home, though they were spotted at a party together on Feb. 24.

On the red carpet before the show, Butler was photographed embracing his fellow best actor nominee Bill Nighy. Also in attendance on Sunday night was Butler's ex-girlfriend Vanessa Hudgens. Butler previously credited Hudgens with supporting him as he auditioned for the role of Elvis, telling the LA Times in January, "We'd been together for so long and she had this sort of clairvoyant moment and so I really, I owe her a lot for believing in me."

But the actor wasn't totally alone on Sunday night. Red carpet host Ashley Graham asked Butler where Gerber was, and Butler said, "I've got my best friend with me, who is also my agent." He added that was a "thank you" to him for his work. Gerber, meanwhile, posted photos from her trip to Austin (and her time with her costar, "The Bear"'s Ayo Edebiri) on her Instagram.

Butler's award season included wins at the Golden Globes and the BAFTAs. Unfortunately, just days after Butler celebrated his Globe win with Priscilla and Lisa Marie Presley, Lisa Marie suddenly died at 54. Butler explained shortly after Oscar nominations were released that he hoped the nod would honor Lisa Marie. "It's sort of a bittersweet moment right now because I think of how much I wish she was here right now to get to celebrate with me. It's the same thing I feel with Elvis. I wish they could see these moments. It feels sort of strange to celebrate at a time of such deep grief, but I sort of think of it as a way to honor her, and this is for her," he told Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager on the "Today" show on Jan. 24.

Butler's award season has also been marked by something a little more lighthearted: jokes about his tendency to slip into Elvis's accent, which he mastered for the movie. He admitted in a Feb. 3 interview with Entertainment Weekly that he felt "self-conscious" when he found out people were talking about it online. "I am getting rid of the accent, but I have probably damaged my vocal cords with all that singing," he added. "One song took 40 takes." Butler also seemed to be slipping into the cadence during red carpet interviews on Sunday night.

"Elvis" was nominated for eight awards at the ceremony, including best picture. though it did not win any. See photos from Butler's night ahead.