What's Inside?
- Kim Novak questions the biopic Scandalous! title, emphasizing her 1957 romance with Sammy Davis Jr. was not scandalous.
- Sydney Sweeney prepares to portray Novak while navigating her own recent controversies, from American Eagle ad backlash to selling bathwater.
- The film, directed by Colman Domingo, explores Hollywood’s history, interracial romance, and pressures faced by iconic stars like Novak.
Hollywood icon Kim Novak, 92, has raised concerns over the upcoming biopic Scandalous!, which stars Sydney Sweeney as Novak and chronicles her secret 1957 romance with entertainer Sammy Davis Jr. Speaking to The Guardian from the Venice Film Festival, Novak expressed unease over how the film might portray the relationship. “I don’t think the relationship was scandalous,” she explained. “He’s somebody I really cared about… I’m concerned they’re going to make it all sexual reasons.”
Kim Novak’s Reservations About Scandalous!
Novak’s relationship with Davis Jr., one of Hollywood’s most high-profile interracial romances at the time, ended due to industry pressure. Columbia Pictures boss Harry Cohn feared the pairing would be “bad for business” and allegedly threatened Davis Jr. with mob violence. Now, decades later, Novak worries the biopic may sensationalize their romance rather than honoring its emotional depth. “We had so much in common, including that need to be accepted for who we are and what we do, rather than how we look,” she said.
The film marks the directorial debut of Colman Domingo, who will helm the project alongside Sweeney and British actor David Jonsson as Davis Jr. While filming has yet to begin, Sweeney has already begun embodying Novak, paying homage to the actress at the 2025 Met Gala with a Miu Miu gown inspired by Novak’s role in The Legend of Lylah Clare.
Sydney Sweeney Steps Into Kim Novak’s Legacy
Sydney Sweeney, 27, has navigated controversy in recent years, from selling bathwater as a novelty product to a contentious American Eagle campaign involving a “genes/jeans” pun. Despite criticism, she remains focused on her craft. The upcoming portrayal of Novak offers her a unique opportunity to explore Hollywood’s complex past while honoring a legendary figure. For Novak, this biopic comes alongside a documentary, Kim Novak’s Vertigo, which celebrates her life and career. “It’s incredible to feel appreciated and to receive this gift before the end of my life,” Novak said of the documentary.
While fans anticipate Sweeney’s performance, Novak’s caution signals the delicate balance between dramatization and authenticity. Her concerns underscore the responsibility filmmakers have in representing real-life figures respectfully, particularly when tackling stories intertwined with race, romance, and Hollywood politics.
By giving voice to both the subject and the performer, Scandalous! may yet become more than a story of romance—it could serve as a reflective lens on Hollywood’s history, societal prejudices, and the enduring strength of its trailblazing stars.
