Tilly Norwood: The AI Actress Sparking Hollywood’s Biggest Controversy

The Rise of AI Acting

In 2025, Tilly Norwood, an AI-generated ‘actress’ created in 2025, has already sparked a fierce debate about the future of acting in Hollywood. Built by UK-based studio Xicoia under producer and actor Eline van der Velden, the digital performer is attracting both interest from agents and intense criticism from unions and stars. The photorealistic character represents a watershed moment for the entertainment industry, forcing difficult conversations about artificial intelligence’s role in creative professions.

Hollywood Reacts with Alarm

The most forceful response has come from SAG-AFTRA, the union representing more than 160,000 performers, which stressed that ‘Tilly Norwood’ is not an actor, but a computer-generated character trained on the work of many performers without their consent or compensation. Emily Blunt labelled Norwood ‘really, really scary’, whilst the union issued statements emphasising the character’s artificial nature. Even directors known for groundbreaking CGI work have expressed concern, with James Cameron calling the idea of AI performers ‘horrifying’.

Creator Defends the Project

Eline Van der Velden insisted Norwood is ‘not meant to take jobs in traditional film’, stating that AI entertainment is ‘developing as a completely separate genre’. Van Der Velden admitted she made Tilly Norwood look as realistic as possible to ‘provoke more of a reaction’. Norwood is preparing for her ‘next phase of global stardom in 2026’, which will see her appear on screen and interact directly with fans, whilst Xicoia has advertised nine new jobs to support the expanding project.

What This Means for the Future

The Tilly Norwood controversy highlights fundamental questions about creativity, labour rights, and technological advancement in entertainment. No AI creation has achieved the media cut-through that Tilly has, making this a pivotal moment for the industry. As artificial intelligence capabilities advance, the ethical implications of synthetic performers will only intensify. For audiences and industry professionals alike, the debate over Tilly Norwood represents more than just one AI character—it’s about defining the future of storytelling, performance, and what it means to be an artist in an increasingly digital age.