Iced coffee in hand, her hair perfectly styled and a picture perfect smile. Tilly Norwood is ready for the world yet there’s nothing real about her. A new AI-generated actor, Norwood has triggered heated discussions in Hollywood and beyond. Created by Dutch actor Eline Van der Velden, Norwood has been presented on social media as a young aspiring actress, complete with photos, comedic sketches, and ‘girl next door vibes.’ Van der Velden has gone as far as to say she wants Norwood to become the ‘next Scarlett Johansson.’
In one of the posts, Norwood’s Instagram account post includes this line – “I may be AI, but I’m feeling very real emotions right now.” It’s all sounding too real without any reality in it.
Hollywood Pushes Back
The reaction from Hollywood has been swift and critical. SAG-AFTRA, the actors’ union, condemned the AI creation, stressing that Norwood is not a true performer but a computer-generated character trained on the work of real human actors. “It has no life experience, no emotion, and audiences aren’t interested in detached computer content,” the union declared.
A-list stars have echoed this sentiment. Emily Blunt called the idea “terrifying,” while Natasha Lyonne urged a boycott of any talent agency or studio working with Norwood, warning that such moves undermine human artistry and threaten livelihoods. Whoopi Goldberg and other prominent voices have also joined in the criticism.
A Creative Experiment or Threat to Actors?
Defending her work, Van der Velden insisted that Tilly Norwood is not meant to replace actors but should be seen as ‘a piece of art’, like drawing a character or writing a script. She argued that AI performers represent a new genre of storytelling and creativity, not a substitute for human talent.
Yet, critics point to Hollywood’s recent labour strikes, where writers and actors fought to protect their jobs from the encroachment of AI. SAG-AFTRA reminded agencies that employing Norwood in projects could violate the very protections secured in 2023, potentially reigniting disputes over AI’s role in entertainment.
Why Does This Controversy Matter?
The controversy highlights a central dilemma for Hollywood (and by extension the world of entertainment). How does the industry think of balancing technological innovation with protecting human creativity and jobs? As AI continues to reshape industries, the case of Tilly Norwood may serve as a flashpoint for how far studios and agencies are willing, perhaps even allowed to go in adopting synthetic talent.