Kim Novak Says Sydney Sweeney Is “Totally Wrong” to Play Her in Scandalous!

Hollywood actor Kim Novak has criticized the casting of Sydney Sweeney in the upcoming biographical film Scandalous!, which depicts Novak’s real-life relationship with entertainer Sammy Davis Jr. in the late 1950s.

In an interview with The Times of London published in March 2026, the 93-year-old Vertigo star said she strongly disagrees with the decision. Novak stated she “would never have approved” of Sweeney playing her and described the actress as “totally wrong” for the role.

Novak’s criticism focused in part on Sweeney’s appearance and public image. She suggested that Sweeney’s modern, highly sexualized persona does not align with how she was perceived during her career in the 1950s. Novak said Sweeney “sticks out so much above the waist,” adding that the casting risks misrepresenting her identity.

She also expressed concern about how the film might portray her relationship with Davis Jr. Novak emphasized that their connection was not primarily sexual, but based on shared experiences in Hollywood. Both faced intense public scrutiny and systemic pressures, including racism and studio control. She warned that casting an actress known for a “sexy” image could shift the film’s focus away from that context.

Scandalous! marks the directorial debut of Colman Domingo. Actor David Jonsson is set to play Sammy Davis Jr., while Sweeney is also attached as a producer. The project has reportedly experienced delays in recent months.

Before Novak’s comments, Sweeney had spoken positively about the role, calling it a “labor of love.” She said she felt honored to portray Novak and identified with her experiences of media scrutiny and the pressures placed on women in the entertainment industry.

The film centers on Novak and Davis Jr.’s brief but significant romance in 1957. At the time, interracial relationships were widely stigmatized in the United States. According to historical accounts, Columbia Pictures head Harry Cohn intervened to end the relationship, allegedly using threats linked to organized crime out of concern for Novak’s career and public image.

Novak has previously objected to the film’s title, arguing that her relationship with Davis Jr. should not be framed as scandalous. She has described it instead as a sincere connection between two people navigating a restrictive and discriminatory industry.