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Kim Novak criticises Sydney Sweeney casting in ‘Scandalous!’ biopic
Novak claims Sweeney’s physique makes her a 'totally wrong' choice for the role
Sydney Sweeney is set to portray Hollywood icon Kim Novak in the upcoming biopic Scandalous!, which chronicles Novak’s 1950s romance with legendary singer Sammy Davis Jr..
Directed by Colman Domingo in his directorial debut, the film also stars David Jonsson as Davis Jr., exploring the couple’s relationship during a period of intense public scrutiny and racial tension in Hollywood.
However, Novak, 93, has publicly criticized Sweeney’s casting. In an interview with The Times, Novak said she “would never have approved” of Sweeney playing her, citing the actress’s physique: “Sticks out so much above the waist.”
She expressed concern that the film might overemphasize the sexual side of their romance, saying, “There’s no way it wouldn’t be a sexual relationship because Sydney Sweeney looks sexy all the time. She was totally wrong to play me.”
Novak and Davis Jr. first met on The Steve Allen Show in 1956 and later began a romantic relationship, which drew public scrutiny amid the racial tensions of the era. Columbia Pictures head Harry Cohn reportedly pressured Davis to end the relationship.
Despite media speculation, including a 1958 Chicago gossip column claiming the couple planned to marry, Davis went on to marry Loray White, and Novak married actor Richard Johnson seven years later.
For her part, Sweeney, 28, has expressed gratitude and excitement about portraying Novak.
She told Us Weekly that she “never felt confident” about her body growing up, recalling that she was wearing a 32DD in sixth grade and often tried to hide her figure. Sweeney credits her role as Cassie in HBO’s Euphoria with helping her embrace her body and gain confidence.
“When I became more confident with myself, it changed,” Sweeney said. “I want to show girls that it’s amazing and beautiful and empowering to have the bodies that we have.”
She added that she is “so glad” she didn’t go through with a planned breast reduction and now celebrates her body as “powerful.”
Scandalous! remains in production, and further details about its release date have yet to be announced.
