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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Movies and TV devider Kim Novak rejects Sydney Sweeney casting in biopic

Kim Novak rejects Sydney Sweeney casting in biopic

Published Apr 1, 2026 02:35 pm
Hollywood legend Kim Novak has publicly criticized the casting of Sydney Sweeney as her in the upcoming biopic “Scandalous!”
In an interview with The Times of London, Novak said the casting was “totally wrong” and suggested she would not have approved the decision if she had been consulted.
Novak specifically pointed to differences in physical appearance, remarking that Sweeney “sticks out so much above the waist,” a comment that has drawn significant attention.
Her remarks are not intended as a personal slight. Rather, Novak has expressed concern that Sweeney’s modern, highly sexualized image could overshadow the film’s central focus—her relationship with entertainer Sammy Davis Jr., one of the most high-profile interracial romances of the 1950s. At the time, such a relationship faced intense social scrutiny and industry pressure.
Novak has emphasized her concern that the film may prioritize style or sensationalism over the social and emotional realities of that period.
Sweeney has not issued a direct response to Novak’s latest remarks. In earlier statements, however, she described the role as an “incredible honor” and expressed admiration for Novak’s legacy.

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