Hollywood actress slams Sydney Sweeney as ‘totally wrong’ to play her in new biopic
Kim Novak, a revered figure in Hollywood, has criticized Sydney Sweeney’s casting as her in an upcoming biographical film. The movie, which follows Novak’s interracial romance with Sammy Davis Jr., has sparked controversy among the actress.
Two years ago, it was announced that a film would depict Novak’s 1957 relationship with the Rat Pack member. Titled Scandalous!, the project explores the tumultuous affair between the Vertigo star and Davis Jr. The film is directed by Colman Domingo, with Sydney Sweeney starring as Novak and David Jonsson portraying the late Davis Jr.
In a recent interview with The Times of London, Novak, now 93, expressed her dissatisfaction with Sweeney’s selection. She said she ‘would not have endorsed’ the actress for the role, highlighting concerns that the film would emphasize the sexual aspect of their relationship rather than their shared values.
‘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 remarked.
Novak first met Davis Jr. in 1957 during a joint appearance on The Steve Allen Show. The following year, they began a relationship, which faced scrutiny due to Novak’s contract with Columbia Pictures. At the time, the studio’s president, Harry Cohn, feared public backlash against their union.
A Gallup survey from that era revealed only 4% of Americans supported interracial relationships, which were still banned in certain states. Despite this, Novak stood by her choice, stating: ‘Something inside of me rebelled when I was told not to see him. I didn’t think it was anybody’s business.’
‘We became conspirators, drawn together by the single thing we had in common: defiance,’ Davis Jr. once said.
However, Davis Jr. faced pressure to end the relationship after a gossip column hinted at an impending marriage. Organized crime figures linked to Cohn threatened him, demanding he break things off with Novak. If he refused, he’d be forced to marry a Black woman within two days.
Nine days later, Davis Jr. married a Black chorus girl named Loray White. The couple never lived together and divorced the following year. He later wed white-Swedish actress May Britt in 1960, facing similar racial tensions. Their marriage ended eight years later when he admitted to infidelity.
Novak, meanwhile, married actor Richard Johnson in 1965. After their divorce, she partnered with veterinarian Robert Malloy in 1976, remaining together until his death in 2021. Reflecting on her past with Davis Jr., she noted their bond was ‘often misunderstood’ and that ‘because of the colour of his skin, people did terrible things.’
At the Venice Film Festival last year, Novak voiced her worries about the biopic. Speaking during a masterclass, she said: ‘I have to speak out about the movie that’s about to be made about the Sammy Davis relationship.’ She then explained her reservation about Sydney Sweeney’s casting.
‘I think actors have a wonderful place to do whatever, but, in my case, I’m not an actress – I’m a re-actress. So therefore, I’d like to see somebody playing that role that is more of a re-actor than an actor,’ she stated.
Novak admitted she had no issue with Sydney’s talent but emphasized her personal feelings about the role. In contrast, during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Sydney described her experience working with the director and Novak as ‘really cool.’
‘Colman and her have a really beautiful relationship. They’ve been talking. We connected them,’ Sydney said.
Speaking to People, the actress called it ‘incredibly honoured’ to portray Novak, believing her story remains relevant today. However, Novak’s criticism suggests she feels the film’s portrayal could overshadow the deeper aspects of their connection.
