Sydney Sweeney Dives Into Kim Novak’s Forbidden Love Story

Sydney Sweeney is stepping into one of the most daring roles of her career, and she couldn’t be more thrilled.

The “Euphoria” star is preparing to portray legendary actress Kim Novak in “Scandalous!,” an upcoming biopic that explores Novak’s secret 1950s romance with musician Sammy Davis Jr.

As Sweeney gears up for the challenge, she’s embracing the chance to embody a Hollywood icon caught between fame, love, and controversy.

At 28, Sweeney is used to playing complex women, from her breakout performance as Cassie in “Euphoria” to her recent turn as boxer Christy Martin in “Christy.”

However, taking on Kim Novak is something else entirely.

Ahead of playing the Vertigo star in “Scandalous!,” Sweeney revealed her excitement about meeting Novak, who is now 92.

“I’m incredibly honored to be bringing Kim to life. I mean, she is such an amazing actress,” Sweeney told PEOPLE Magazine during the October 25 premiere of “Christy” at AFI Fest 2025. “I think her story is still very relevant today in that she dealt with Hollywood and scrutiny with her relationships and her own private life and the control of her image. And I think that for me, I relate to it in a lot of different ways.”

The film, directed by Colman Domingo, will explore Novak’s real-life romance with Davis, a relationship that defied the norms and prejudices of 1950s Hollywood.

Their love affair shocked the entertainment industry at the time, threatening careers and sparking public backlash.

While Colman Domingo has already met with Novak, Sweeney is counting down the days until she can sit with the Hollywood legend herself.

“Once I finish “Euphoria,” I switch into “Scandalous!” gear and I’m going to turn my brain into Kim,” Sweeney shared. “I’m so excited. I’m like, ‘Oh my God. I’m going to meet Kim Novak.’”

The actress is known for her intense preparation process, fully immersing herself in the lives of her characters.

For Sweeney, Novak’s story resonates on a deeply personal level, a woman who fought to control her narrative in an industry that often silences women.

“I think her story is still very relevant today,” Sweeney explained, drawing parallels between the old Hollywood pressures Novak faced and her own experience navigating fame in the social media era.

“Scandalous!” marks a new chapter for Sweeney, as she steps into a role that blends glamour, danger, and social commentary, a tale about love, rebellion, and the cost of defiance.

Before transforming into Novak, Sweeney has been channeling a very different kind of strength. Her recent film “Christy” sees her playing real-life boxer Christy Martin, a role that demanded physical discipline and emotional depth.

“Whenever I would go on set, especially when I had some of my boxing scenes, I would call my trainer and say, ‘I don’t feel big enough. I feel small.’ And I was getting in my head and I wasn’t feeling like I gained enough,” she recalled.

Her trainer helped her push past self-doubt. “He was like, ‘This is actually what happens to a lot of bodybuilders before a tournament. They feel small, they get in their head, and it’s all mental games.’ So it was learning a lot about trying to get over that,” Sweeney continued.

Her dedication to physical transformation in “Christy” offers a glimpse of the same commitment she will bring to “Scandalous!”

From a gritty boxing ring to the glittering lights of 1950s Hollywood, Sweeney is proving her range knows no limits.

She turned heads at the AFI Fest screening of “Christy” when she stepped onto the red carpet in a voluminous pink gown and soft glam makeup.