Hollywood stars clap back at AI actress Tilly Norwood

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The AI actress Tilly Norwood is facing criticism from Hollywood, with actors like Melissa Barrera and Mara Wilson voicing their disapproval of the idea.

Tilly Norwood, an actress who recently gained attention at the Zurich Film Festival, is actually a creation of artificial intelligence, despite reports that talent agents are interested in representing her.

Norwood was featured in a YouTube video last July, and was created by Xicoia, an AI studio that spun out of Particle6.

Eline Van der Velden from Particle6 says a talent agency is about to start representing the virtual actress, and this has upset several well-known people in the entertainment industry.

AI actress Tilly Norwood compared to Scarlett Johansson

Van der Velden recently shared with Broadcast International that they hope Tilly will achieve the same level of success as actresses like Scarlett Johansson and Natalie Portman. That’s their primary goal with this project.

Van der Velden explains that people are discovering they don’t need a large budget to be creative – AI is opening up possibilities and removing financial limitations. It’s simply a matter of shifting how people think about creativity.

She explains that technology is rapidly changing, particularly in maintaining consistency, which was a challenge even recently with digital environments. Now, creating characters is becoming easier – you can even base them on photographs – and the field is constantly developing.

Melissa Barrera and Mara Wilson clap back

Hollywood actors reacted strongly to news that agents were rushing to sign Tilly Norwood. Melissa Barrera, known for her role in *Scream*, shared a message on Instagram saying she hoped any actors represented by the agent in question would fire them, calling the behavior “gross” and urging them to be more aware of the situation.

Kiersy Clemons, known for her role in The Flash, responded by demanding names of those involved, saying, “Out the agents, I want names.” Nicholas Alexander Chavez, who starred in Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, quickly countered, implying the person being discussed wasn’t an actress, stating, “Not an actress, nice try.”

After playing Matilda, Mara Wilson wondered about the many real young women whose features were likely combined to create the character’s appearance. She questioned why none of those women were actually considered for the role.

Eline Van der Velden responds to criticism

After facing widespread criticism, Van der Velden issued a statement (according to Deadline) clarifying the role of the AI creation, Tilly Norwood, in the industry.

Responding to concerns about his AI character, Tilly Norwood, Van der Velden explained that she isn’t meant to replace a person, but is instead a work of art. He believes, like other art forms, she’s meant to start discussions, and that demonstrates the impact of creative work.

I don’t see AI as something that will replace actors, but rather as a helpful new tool – like a digital paintbrush. Just as techniques like animation and special effects expanded storytelling without eliminating live acting, AI offers another creative avenue. As an actor, I believe the skill and pleasure of human performance are irreplaceable – no AI character could ever take that away.

Developing Tilly felt like a creative process similar to drawing, writing, or acting – it required time, skill, and a lot of refinement to make her feel real. I see her as an exploration of possibilities, not a replacement for anything existing. Like much of my work, she’s meant to offer a satirical reflection of society. Ultimately, AI characters deserve to be evaluated on their own terms, as a unique art form with its own value.

Let’s embrace AI as another creative tool, like painting, music, or film. By celebrating all forms of art, we can discover fresh perspectives, unique stories, and stronger connections between people.

If you’re interested in the ongoing discussion about AI, you can find related debates surrounding the films *Megalopolis*, *Late Night With the Devil*, and *Thunderbolts*, as well as the TV series *True Detective* and the *One Piece* anime.

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2025-09-29 13:50