Donovan Carrillo and Elvis Presley: A tale of two entertainers
The world first heard the notes of “My Way” in 1967 when Jacques Revaux composed the melody for a French ballad, “Comme d’habitude”, about a couple breaking up.
Hearing the song during a holiday in France, Paul Anka rushed to get the rights for it and wrote a completely new set of English lyrics, changing the romantic theme into a manifesto about living life according to one’s own beliefs. The English version, released in 1969, became a signature for Frank Sinatra with many artists recording covers of it ever since.
One of these was Elvis Presley. The “King of Rock and Roll” started performing “My Way” in 1973, though his version was not officially released until a few weeks after his death in 1977.
For Donovan Carrillo, the link between Presley and “My Way” sparked a new idea. The figure skater already liked the song when he watched Baz Luhrmann’s 2022 biographical film Elvis about the pop culture icon and now, having learned more about Presley’s life, he felt an eagerness to bring it to the ice.
“In some ways, I connect with Elvis’s story in a personal way because of certain challenges he experienced in this film,” Carrillo said.
“I feel like I may have experienced a little of that too. Also, I think his essence, when he showed that authentic personality that set him apart in concerts, when he made his performances, the way people reacted to his performances, is something that I would say – maybe not to the same extent – but I think my team and I managed to awaken the audience in a similar way.”
Carrillo was deliberating skating one of his 2025-26 season programs to Presley’s songs when Benoit Richaud, the choreographer of his Beijing 2022 Carlos Santana short program, unknowingly pitched him the same idea.
The creative duo started exploring Presley’s music together and eventually narrowed it down to four songs. Carrillo’s free skate begins with “My Way”, transitions into the movie-version of “Trouble” performed by Austin Butler, and concludes with Presley’s recordings of “Jailhouse Rock” and “A Little Less Conversation”.
This marks a step away from Carrillo’s previous programs, which are typically infused with Mexican musical references and movements.
For Carrillo too, the program feels like a fresh start – which is just how he wants it.
“To show the love that I feel for my country through my programs is something that inspires me a lot. I think Mexico has a lot to contribute in music, in sports, in many things, but for this season in particular, I wanted to get out of my comfort zone a little and look for a program that not only Mexico would like, but a program that would appeal to everyone,” Carrillo said. “It’s important. I think all athletes have to one day step out of our comfort zone to grow. And I think this is that moment for me.”