Priscilla Presley's son Navarone Garibaldi hits back after backlash over GoFundMe for pizza business
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Priscilla Presley’s son, Navarone Garibaldi, has clapped back at critics after being slammed for launching a fundraiser to start a pizza business from his Los Angeles driveway.
The 39-year-old, who is the son of the veteran actress and music producer Marco Garibaldi, has defended his decision to launch the GoFundMe campaign, which he created on Friday, July 10.
Navarone Garibaldi defends GoFundMe fundraiser
Navarone is aiming to raise $5,500 through the fundraiser to buy “a large industrial pizza oven,” whose original price is $14,000. However, he was criticized by many over the crowdfunding campaign, with people questioning why he was not seeking financial help from his famous mother.
The musician then explained his side in a social media post, asserting, “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….. YEAH, I also have a lot of bills, I also have a budget, I also donate to other causes…”
He also said in the Instagram post that if he “just went all in every time I thought I had a great idea… I’d be broke in 2 days.”
Navarone Garibaldi explains not asking Priscilla for money
Navarone Garibaldi also spoke to TMZ, explaining that although his mother “loves the idea,” “I can't ask for money for every whimsical idea I have or we both would be broke!”
In another Instagram Story, the half-brother of late Lisa Marie Presley further addressed his critics, saying, “To the people that think I’m just taking people’s money... It's a damn expensive oven.”
“And I have a list of the donors. Some people have a few extra bucks.. and want an invite to hang out and have pizza for free for life when they are in LA. You don’t have to be negative about it. I love you,” he added.
Navarone Garibaldi defends fundraiser against critics
Navarone also responded to one critic, who called him “extremely privileged” and accused him of having “never actually worked for anything a day in your life.”
“That’s actually not how people do it. You think that every restaurant is started with one person? They take investors. So you obviously have no business experience, so you probably shouldn’t get involved,” he hit back.
Navarone also claimed that his “jobs are more fun than” the critic's because he has “acted in several films, as well as toured the country in a rock band.”
Navarone Garibaldi promises free pizza to donors
In his latest update on July 12, Navarone said he now feels like he has “to explain economics to all these people that biasedly hate me. But, you know, those people donate 20 bucks, they can come get free pizza anytime now.”
“I’m trying to help out and get a little help in return. And people hate me for it. It’s sad,” Navarone added.
