Kim Novak has voiced strong objections to her portrayal in the upcoming film Scandalous, saying she would not have supported the project and disagrees with the decision to cast Sydney Sweeney in the role.
In an interview with The Times of London, Novak said she believes Sweeney is “totally wrong” to play her, expressing concern that the film’s approach may misrepresent both her image and her relationship with Sammy Davis Jr. The project, directed by Colman Domingo, centers on the brief but widely scrutinized romance between Novak and Davis Jr. in the late 1950s.
Novak, now in her 90s, suggested that the casting reflects a misunderstanding of how she saw herself at the time. She also raised concerns about how the film might frame the relationship, particularly if it leans heavily on its physical aspects rather than the personal connection she recalls.
According to Novak, her relationship with Davis Jr. was rooted in shared interests and mutual understanding during a period when interracial relationships faced intense public and industry pressure. She indicated that a portrayal focused primarily on sexuality would not accurately reflect her experience.
The relationship between Novak and Davis Jr. began in the mid-1950s, when both were rising figures in Hollywood. They first met in 1956 during an appearance on The Steve Allen Show and continued to see each other intermittently over the following year. Their connection drew significant attention at the time, in part due to racial tensions in the United States and the expectations placed on public figures within the studio system.
In 1958, reports about their relationship became public, prompting widespread media coverage. Shortly afterward, Davis Jr. married singer Loray White, and the relationship with Novak ended. Davis Jr.'s marriage lasted roughly a year, while Novak later married actor Richard Johnson in 1965.
The upcoming film revisits that period, positioning the relationship within the broader context of Hollywood’s treatment of image, race, and personal life. When the project was first announced in 2024, it was described as a drama focused on the pressures Novak faced from studios and the public during the relationship.
Sweeney, whose recent work includes Anyone But You and the HBO series Euphoria, has said she considers the role an opportunity to explore those themes. In previous comments, she noted that Novak’s experience navigating public scrutiny and control over her image remains relevant.
Representatives for Sweeney have not responded publicly to Novak’s criticism.
Scandalous is being developed by Miramax, with plans to move into production following scheduling around Sweeney’s other commitments. No release date has been confirmed.
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