The real story of the feud between Gina Lollobrigida and Sophia Loren (4 photos)

Actress Sophia Loren was one of the first to express condolences on the passing of Gina Lollobrigida January 16, 2023 of the year. However, these two were not always on good terms: the illustrious Italian movie stars competed and feuded for many years. But found one person who made an attempt to reconcile them.





Lollobrigida and Lauren were incredibly famous Italian actresses of the golden age of Hollywood. They have enough significant age difference: Lollobrigida was seven years older. Accordingly, she moved to Hollywood earlier and became famous earlier. She often starred with famous actors and was considered an international sex symbol and one of the most beautiful women in the world.

Sophia Loren, Yvonne de Carlo and Gina Lollobrigida at the International Film Ball of the Berlin Film Festival, 1954



Sophia Loren began her career around the time Lollobrigida became famous in Hollywood. Sophie was only 16 when she started act in films, and she very quickly took off to the very top. In 1956 Lauren signed a contract with Paramount Studios and turned into another one Hollywood sex symbol. Since both actresses were Italian, they were often compared to each other - both in terms of acting, and with appearance point of view.

Publicity portrait of Gina Lollobrigida in The Woman from Rome, 1954



The feud between the two actresses began early, probably before Lauren rose to fame in Hollywood. According to newspapers from 1955, the two refused to be in the same room together.

But what could cause such a split? Apparently it all started with 1954 Italian Film Festival attended by the Queen Elizabeth II. At the official event, which attracted a significant attention of the yellow press, Sophia Loren wore a magnificent dress and a crown.

Although Gina Lollobrigida met and posed for a photo with queen that evening, she faded into the background compared to Brilliant outfit Lauren. Soon after, Lauren told the press, that looked "more magnificent" than Lollobrigida, and she did not miss the chance to push back. In response, she publicly stated that Sophia Loren would never will play the role of a lady in the cinema, and her destiny is the role of a peasant woman.

Another reason for the feud could be the casting for the movie franchise. "Bread, Love and Fantasy". Gina Lollobrigida starred in the first two films, and wanted to be paid for the third film more. The producers refused and replaced her with Sophia Loren.

In general, it is not so important how it all started. Significantly, the actresses maintained a dislike for each other for more than 50 years.

Michael Jackson, Sophia Loren and Kirk Douglas in fourth annual American Cinema Awards, January 1987 of the year



However, in subsequent years, Gina Lollobrigida said more than once that on in fact, the stars never had a feud. It was more like an ad. Sophia Loren's PR move to draw more attention to her person. Lollobrigida always emphasized that she was not interested in rivalry with anyone. Were her statements true, we no longer find out.

But it looked like they were really at odds. They rarely attended the same events. There was only one person who could persuade actresses to come to their party. It was Michael Jackson and celebration ahead of one of his European tours. Most evenings, the actresses were at different ends of the hall and did not communicate, but for photographs with Michael posed willingly.

What Jackson did to bring them together was definitely impressive because this has never happened again.