The creator of AI actress Tilly Norwood issued a statement after facing backlash over reports that talent agents were already looking to sign the digital character.
“To those who have expressed anger over the creation of my AI character, Tilly Norwood, she is not a replacement for a human being, but a creative work – a piece of art. Like many forms of art before her, she sparks conversation, and that in itself shows the power of creativity,” Eline Van der Velden wrote in a statement on Instagram, also posted on Norwood’s own Instagram page. “I see AI not as a replacement for people, but as a new tool, a new paintbrush. Just as animation, puppetry, or CGI opened fresh possibilities without taking away from live acting, AI offers another way to imagine and build stories. I’m an actor myself, and nothing – certainly not an AI character – can take away the craft or joy of human performance.”
Norwood is the first project from Xicoia, a new artificial intelligence talent studio spun off from Particle6, a company founded by Van der Velden. At the Zurich Summit in Switzerland on Saturday, Van der Velden said agents are already interested, with a representation deal to be announced in the coming months. Back in July, Van der Velden told Broadcast International she wanted Norwood “to be the next Scarlett Johansson or Natalie Portman.”
The news triggered swift backlash, with the harshest criticism coming from actors. Hundreds of angry comments poured in, with several prominent names suggesting the real ire should be directed at any agent who signs Norwood.
“Hope all actors repped by the agent that does this, drop their a$$. How gross, read the room,” wrote Melissa Barrera on Instagram.
“Out the agents. I want names,” added Kiersey Clemons.
“And what about the hundreds of living young women whose faces were composited together to make her? You couldn’t hire any of them?” noted Mara Wilson.
Lukas Gage sarcastically and humorously wrote that Norwood was a “nightmare to work with!!!!” and “couldn’t her mark and was late!”
The creator of AI actress Tilly Norwood has released a statement following a weekend of heated backlash.
“She is not a replacement for a human being, but a creative work – a piece of art. Like many forms of art before her, she sparks conversation, and that in itself shows the… pic.twitter.com/CTtYbeuJBt
— Variety (@Variety) September 29, 2025
Melissa Barrera reacts to AI “actress” Tilly Norwood being considered by talent agencies: “Hope all actors repped by the agent that does this, drop their a$$. How gross, read the room”
See more reactions here: https://t.co/lT128XfCwj pic.twitter.com/m4RV4nEBAQ
— Deadline (@DEADLINE) September 29, 2025
AI-generated ‘actress’ Tilly Norwood eyed by talent agents, could star alongside real actors in film and TV
You may live to see man-made horrors beyond your comprehension… pic.twitter.com/116pErjG7h
— Catch Up (@CatchUpFeed) September 29, 2025
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