Hollywood Rejects AI-Generated 'Actress' Tilly Norwood, Sparking Debate on AI in Entertainment

Reviewed byNidhi Govil

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The introduction of AI-generated 'actress' Tilly Norwood by Dutch producer Eline Van der Velden has ignited a fierce backlash from Hollywood actors and unions, raising concerns about AI's role in the entertainment industry.

The Birth of an AI 'Actress'

In a bold move that has sent shockwaves through Hollywood, Dutch producer Eline Van der Velden introduced 'Tilly Norwood,' an AI-generated 'actress,' at the Zurich Film Festival in September 2025. Norwood, created by Xicoia, the AI division of Van der Velden's production company Particle6, is a London-based character with about 40,000 Instagram followers

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Source: euronews

Source: euronews

Van der Velden initially claimed that Norwood could become "the next Scarlett Johansson or Natalie Portman," aiming to redefine video, film, and television production . The project showcases Norwood in a 20-second video parody about making an AI-generated television show

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Hollywood's Fierce Backlash

The introduction of Tilly Norwood has been met with strong opposition from Hollywood actors and unions. Emily Blunt, star of films like "The Devil Wears Prada" and "Oppenheimer," expressed her concerns during a Variety podcast, stating, "Good Lord, we're screwed. That is really, really scary"

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SAG-AFTRA, the union representing entertainment and media professionals, released a scathing statement condemning the project. They argued that Tilly Norwood is not an actor but a computer-generated character trained on the work of countless professional performers without permission or compensation

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Source: BNN

Source: BNN

The AI Debate in Entertainment

The controversy surrounding Tilly Norwood has reignited the debate about AI's role in the entertainment industry. SAG-AFTRA and the Writers Guild of America have been advocating for contractual protections against being replaced by AI, especially in light of recent developments like OpenAI's release of Sora 2

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Yves Bergquist, director of AI in media at the University of Southern California's Entertainment Technology Center, downplayed the significance of Tilly Norwood, calling the hoopla "nonsense." He stated that there is zero interest from "serious people" in developing entirely synthetic characters

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Particle6's Response and Future Plans

Facing mounting criticism, Van der Velden has attempted to reframe the Tilly Norwood project. In a response post on Norwood's Instagram account, she stated, "She is not a replacement for a human being, but a creative work - a piece of art"

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Despite the backlash, Particle6 is moving forward with its AI initiatives. The company announced the creation of Xicoia, a new talent agency specifically for AI creations like Norwood. A spokesperson for Particle6 explained that Xicoia would manage AI talent but could also license out for mainstream representation where appropriate

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Source: The Hollywood Reporter

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

The Future of AI in Entertainment

As the debate rages on, the entertainment industry grapples with the implications of AI-generated performers. While some see potential for cost reduction and creative expansion, others fear the devaluation of human artistry and the loss of authentic emotional connections with audiences

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The Tilly Norwood controversy serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing tensions between technological advancement and the preservation of human creativity in the entertainment world. As AI continues to evolve, the industry will need to navigate these challenges carefully, balancing innovation with the irreplaceable value of human performance.

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