The True Story Behind Sophia Loren's Iconic 'Side-Eye' To Jayne Mansfield: 7 Things You Didn't Know About The 1957 Photograph

Few photographs in Hollywood history capture the essence of a rivalry—or a carefully staged publicity stunt—quite like the iconic image of Sophia Loren and Jayne Mansfield. Taken at a star-studded party in Beverly Hills in 1957, the picture immortalizes Loren's legendary look of disdain, a moment that has been endlessly analyzed, meme-ified, and misinterpreted for decades. The real story, however, comes straight from the Italian screen legend herself, revealing a context far more amusing and calculated than a simple catfight.

As of December 18, 2025, the photograph remains a global cultural touchstone, but its true narrative is often lost. This deep dive uncovers the definitive details of the night at Romanoff's restaurant and provides the complete biographical context of the two women—the Italian Oscar winner and the American 'blonde bombshell'—whose brief, charged encounter created one of the most famous images of the 20th century.

The Queens of Glamour: Complete Biographical Profiles

The 1957 photograph pitted two distinct archetypes of Hollywood stardom against each other: the sophisticated, dramatic European actress and the unapologetically flamboyant American sex symbol. Understanding their backgrounds is key to appreciating the tension in the image.

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Jayne Mansfield (1933–1967)

• Birth Name: Vera Jayne Palmer
• Born: April 19, 1933, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, U.S.
• Died: June 29, 1967, near Slidell, Louisiana, U.S. (Car accident)
• Archetype: The 'Blonde Bombshell,' a successor to Marilyn Monroe, known for her dramatic figure, high IQ, and aggressive self-promotion.
• Key Films: The Girl Can't Help It (1956), Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? (1957), Kiss Them for Me (1957).
• Spouses: Paul Mansfield (1950–1958), Mickey Hargitay (1958–1964), Matt Cimber (1964–1966).
• Notorious For: Her Pink Palace mansion, frequent media appearances, and calculated publicity stunts.

Sophia Loren (Born 1934)

• Birth Name: Sofia Costanza Brigida Villani Scicolone
• Born: September 20, 1934, Rome, Italy.
• Career Origin: Rose from poverty-stricken origins in post-war Naples to become Italy's most celebrated international film star.
• Key Achievements: First actress to win an Academy Award for a non-English-language performance (Best Actress for Two Women, 1961). Also received an Honorary Oscar in 1991.
• Key Films: The Pride and the Passion (1957), Two Women (1961), Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow (1963), Marriage Italian Style (1964).
• Spouse: Carlo Ponti (1957–2007, his death).
• Notorious For: Her enduring elegance, dramatic acting prowess, and status as a global cinema icon.

The Night at Romanoff's: Unpacking the 1957 Stunt

The photograph was taken on April 12, 1957, at Romanoff's restaurant in Beverly Hills.

Paramount Pictures was hosting a lavish welcome dinner for Sophia Loren, who had just signed a major five-picture contract with the studio and was making her big push into the American film market. She was the new Italian glamour import, representing a sophisticated, European style of stardom.

Jayne Mansfield, a master of self-promotion and a rival to the reigning starlets like Marilyn Monroe, was not officially invited to the event.

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Mansfield, however, arrived unannounced with her publicist and made a dramatic entrance. She went straight to Loren's table, ensuring all the attending press photographers, including Joe Shere who captured the iconic shot, were focused on her.

This calculated move was a classic Jayne Mansfield publicity stunt, designed to steal the spotlight from the newcomer and dominate the next day's headlines. Her low-cut, plunging dress was an integral part of the spectacle.

Sophia Loren's Definitive Explanation of the 'Side-Eye'

For decades, the photograph was interpreted as a sign of deep-seated Hollywood rivalry, with Loren's expression being a look of pure jealousy or disgust.

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However, Loren herself has repeatedly clarified her reaction, offering a much more pragmatic and humorous explanation that completely changes the narrative of the 'side-eye.'

1. The Fear of a Wardrobe Malfunction

Loren stated that her infamous sideways glance was not one of envy, but one of genuine fear. She explained that she was worried about the structural integrity of Mansfield's dress.

In a 2014 interview, Loren said, "I am staring at her nipples because I am afraid they are going to come right on my plate." She added, "In my face you can see the fear. I am so afraid that everything is going to blow up—BOOM!—and everything is going to come out all over the table."

2. Mansfield Knew What She Was Doing

Loren also confirmed that Mansfield's actions were entirely intentional, recognizing the move as a professional publicity tactic.

"She came right to my table. She knew everyone was watching," Loren recounted, acknowledging the calculated nature of the "blonde bombshell's" arrival and table-crashing.

3. The Photo Is Just One Frame

It is important to note that the most famous version of the photograph is just one shot from a series taken that night. Other pictures from the event show Loren smiling politely at Mansfield, proving that the 'side-eye' was a fleeting, immediate reaction, not a sustained expression of hatred.

The photographer, Joe Shere, captured the perfect fraction of a second—a moment of candid, unvarnished human reaction—that transcended the planned glamour of the event and became a piece of cinematic history.

4. The Legacy of the Image

The Mansfield-Loren photo has endured because it perfectly encapsulates the shift in 1950s Hollywood glamour. It pits the old-school, dramatic elegance of European cinema (Loren) against the brash, highly sexualized, and media-savvy self-promotion of the new American starlet (Mansfield).

The image is a study in contrasts, a visual representation of two powerful women with completely different approaches to fame, captured in a single, unforgettable frame.