Priscilla Presley's son, Navarone Garibaldi Garcia, has defended his decision to launch a GoFundMe campaign to fund his "affordable organic pizza" business, stating that he has bills to pay and a budget to adhere to. The 39-year-old musician addressed critics via Instagram after questions arose about why he was seeking $5,500 instead of approaching his mother for financial assistance.
"Haters gonna hate," Garcia wrote in response to comments on his original video. "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."
Garcia, who also stated that he contributes to various causes, including homelessness, explained his financial approach. "If I just went all in every time I thought I had a great idea … I’d be broke in 2 days," he said. He added that he is not soliciting donations from those who cannot afford to give and is offering free pizza to contributors.
The funds are intended to cover the cost of a conventional pizza oven, with Garcia contributing a significant amount of his own money. "Just asking for help on the remaining bit that’s out of my budget. That’s all. Love and Peace, Kindness and pizza," he concluded. In his GoFundMe description, Garcia stated he was putting $3,000 of his own funds toward the oven, with the total ask being $5,500.
He also cited marketing and advertising as previous obstacles to starting his own business, noting that dough and sauces have already been sourced. "It’s just buying the oven that I need to get me started," he wrote.
As of Sunday afternoon, the GoFundMe had raised $2,880. Some social media users have supported Garcia's endeavor, with one commenting that he might be "trying to live his own life without asking mommy."
Garcia is Presley's son with screenwriter Marco Garibaldi. Presley was previously married to the late Elvis Presley and is also the mother of the late Lisa Marie Presley.