Priscilla Presley’s son Navarone Garibaldi Garci has publicly addressed his decision to launch a crowdfunding campaign to help finance a new pizza business after facing criticism online.
The 37-year-old musician recently created a GoFundMe page seeking $5,500 to purchase an industrial pizza oven for what he describes as an affordable organic pizza venture, which he plans to run from the driveway of his Los Angeles home.
The fundraiser quickly sparked backlash on social media, with some questioning why the son of Priscilla Presley had turned to public donations instead of asking his famous mother for financial support.
Responding on Instagram, Navarone said assumptions about his finances were misguided.
“Haters gonna hate,” he wrote, adding that many people wrongly believe he has unlimited access to money because of his family. He explained that he has bills, follows a budget and cannot afford to fund every business idea on his own.
Speaking separately to TMZ, Navarone said his mother supports the concept but that he does not feel comfortable asking her to bankroll every project.
“She loves the idea but I can’t ask for money for every whimsical idea I have or we both would be broke,” he told the outlet.
He also joked that Priscilla would likely become one of his future customers once the business is up and running.
Navarone stressed that he is investing much of his own money into the venture and is only seeking help to cover the remaining cost of the commercial-grade oven.
He added that contributors would receive free pizza whenever they visit Los Angeles, saying the fundraiser was designed as a community-supported business rather than a request for charity.
Addressing accusations that he is “privileged,” Navarone argued that crowdfunding is no different from seeking investors to launch a business.
“I’ve also acted in several films, as well as toured the country in a rock band,” he wrote in one response shared on Instagram Stories. “I’m sorry my jobs are more fun than yours.”
The musician also dismissed claims that he was taking advantage of supporters, noting that donors are choosing to contribute voluntarily in exchange for future perks.
In a video posted over the weekend, Navarone said he believes the quality of his food will ultimately silence critics.
“After I make that first pizza, all the people that have doubt, you’ll see — everything is going to be worth it,” he said.
A later update showed screenshots of donations already received, with Navarone thanking supporters while maintaining that crowdfunding is simply another way entrepreneurs raise capital for new ventures.
His GoFundMe page says the pizza project fulfills a long-held ambition of owning his own business after previous attempts were hindered by marketing and advertising costs.
