Kim Novak slams Sydney Sweeney's casting in her explosive biopic Scandalous
Kim Novak, the 93-year-old Hollywood legend, has publicly criticised the casting of Sydney Sweeney in the upcoming biopic Scandalous. The film will explore her controversial 1950s relationship with Sammy Davis Jr., a topic Novak believes remains relevant today.
Novak made her objections clear in a recent interview with The Times of London, calling Sweeney 'totally wrong' for the role and questioning the film's focus on their personal lives. Sweeney, 28, began preparing for the part in October 2025, months before Novak's interview. Despite the backlash, the actress described herself as 'incredibly honoured' to portray the iconic star.
Novak's relationship with Davis Jr. faced intense opposition in the 1950s. Columbia Pictures boss Henry Cohn allegedly threatened Davis Jr. with mob violence if they did not end their romance. Though Novak denies they planned to marry, she insists the scrutiny they faced mirrors modern debates about race and relationships.
Her criticism of Sweeney went further than just the casting. Novak appeared to mock the actress's appearance, remarking that she 'sticks out so much above the waist.' She also expressed concern that the film would overemphasise the sexual aspects of her past, rather than the broader struggles they endured.
No documented evidence exists of a romantic relationship between Novak and Davis Jr., and there is no record of their personal lives affecting their careers at the time. The biopic Scandalous moves forward with Sweeney in the lead role, despite Novak's strong objections. The film will revisit a turbulent period in Hollywood history, where interracial relationships were met with hostility. Novak's comments highlight ongoing tensions between artistic interpretation and the personal legacies of those portrayed on screen.
