Hollywood Reacts to Controversial AI Actor Tilly Norwood

Tue Oct 21 2025 22:52:35 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

The emergence of AI actor Tilly Norwood ignites a fierce backlash from A-list Hollywood stars and industry unions, questioning the implications for human artistry and job security.

The introduction of Tilly Norwood, an AI-generated actress marketed as having human-like emotions, has stirred outrage among Hollywood's elite, including Emily Blunt and Natasha Lyonne. These stars, alongside the Screen Actors Guild, are voicing concerns about the ethical implications of using AI actors in film and television, emphasizing the potential threats to job security for human performers. While Tilly's creator defends her as a unique artistic endeavor, the controversy reveals a broader debate regarding AI's role in the entertainment industry and the preservation of human artistry.

An AI actor named Tilly Norwood has been causing a stir after its Dutch creators announced that the synthetic performer is in discussions with talent agencies.

Norwood, who appears as a young, aspiring actress on social media, showcases fully AI-generated content, including comedy sketches. According to her creators, she is capable of expressing real emotions.

The Hollywood community has not embraced her. Major actors, including Emily Blunt, Natasha Lyonne, and Whoopi Goldberg, alongside their powerful union, SAG-AFTRA, have condemned the AI creation. In an industry where human connection is paramount, the introduction of a computer-generated performer is seen as a threat.

SAG-AFTRA asserts that Norwood is not a true actor but rather a digital character created from the collective work of many performers, lacking any real-world experience or emotional depth. This statement raises critical questions about the future direction of the entertainment industry amid the growing presence of AI.

Tilly's creator, Dutch actor Eline Van der Velden, aims for Norwood to become the next big star, likening her work in creating the AI to traditional storytelling. In stark contrast, Hollywood actors express their fears over potential job losses and the erosion of artistry. Natalia Lyonne has called for a boycott of any agency that works with her.

Ultimately, there's a growing wariness about the role of AI in film, amplifying the ongoing discourse about creativity, authenticity, and the future of the arts. As studios quietly adopt these technologies, the risk of using AI-generated entities looms large, particularly for a workforce already vulnerable in an evolving landscape.