October 1, 2025, 9:11 am | Read time: 5 minutes
All of Hollywood is upset. The reason is actress Tilly Norwood, or rather: “actress.” Because she doesn’t really exist–and yet she is supposed to conquer the entertainment industry. Many stars don’t like that at all.
Young, long hair, doe-like brown eyes, and a charming smile–at first glance, you might fall in love with Tilly Norwood, even at second glance. The beauty was completely unknown until now and suddenly is on everyone’s lips. Is the next big Hollywood career about to take off?
According to many internet users and acting stars, the answer can only be: “Hopefully not!” Because Tilly Norwood is not real. She is not made of flesh and blood but of bits and bytes–a purely artificial intelligence. And that is causing headaches.
Tilly Norwood Already Has Many Fans
At this year’s Zurich Film Festival, the founder of the AI company Particle6, Eline van der Velden, introduced the “world’s first AI talent studio” named Xicoia. According to a press release, the company plans to create more than 40 artificial personalities for use in film, television, social media, advertising, and video games.
The first is Tilly Norwood, who is already visible on various online channels, including this YouTube clip. In it, you can not only see her. In one excerpt, she even cries:
AI Stars That Never Age
Norwood and her future computer-generated siblings are to be developed into new independent stars by Particle6. They come with complete backstories, recognizable voices, fully developed personalities, and “evolving story arcs.” They are supposed to be capable of having real conversations, delivering monologues, and reacting to trends in real time. The basis for this is a hybrid model of human oversight and autonomous AI responsiveness.
In a statement, van der Velden sets the course: She claims that “the next generation of cultural icons will be synthetic” and consist of stars who “never tire, never age, and can always interact with their fans.” Talks are already underway with Hollywood agencies and brands, and even some stars are interested in collaborating with Xicoia.
Also interesting: The future AI stars from the Particle6 stable are to exist in a shared universe–events in one “life” are supposed to be able to influence the others. According to van der Velden, they are at the beginning of a new category–the “AI-supported star brand.”
Stars and Fans Complain
Stars that never age or tire? Will they soon be replaced? Unsurprisingly, the response from real stars and fans was not long in coming. Superstar Emily Blunt (“A Quiet Place,” “Jungle Cruise”) finds the development “very, very disturbing.” “This is AI? My goodness, we’re doomed,” she said.
Whoopi Goldberg (“Sister Act,” “Ghost”) also commented on Tilly Norwood. In her opinion, an AI actress has an “unfair advantage” because she is generated from “5,000 other actors,” as Entertainment Weekly reports. Other stars like Melissa Barrera, Lukas Gage, and Mara Wilson have expressed that talent agencies wanting to work with Norwood should be boycotted, as Variety reports.
Film fans feel similarly. Under the YouTube video, for example, it says: “I’m pleasantly surprised to see that everyone hates this as much as I do.” Someone else added: “This video definitely seems like AI companies are mocking all those who want to become actors in the future.”
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Creator of Tilly Norwood Issues Statement
In response to the strong reactions, van der Velden issued an official statement, which we received via email. She says that Norwood is not a replacement for humans but the result of creative work, a piece of art. She sees it as a “new brushstroke,” similar to animation or puppets from the past.
“I also believe that AI characters should be considered a genre of their own and judged by their own qualities–and not in direct comparison with human actors. Every art form has its place, and each can be appreciated for what it uniquely brings forth.”
What’s Next for Hollywood?
The outcry is loud, and that’s entirely understandable. Particle6 is introducing Tilly Norwood during tense times for the film industry. In 2023, there were months-long strikes in Hollywood, partly due to the rise of AI and the possibility of digitally replicating actors. Are new strikes looming?
It is still unclear whether and to what extent the major film studios will rely on purely AI stars. However, it is also a fact that there have already been several examples in blockbusters where deceased stars were brought back to life and living ones were simply rejuvenated.
It is also not unusual for stars to talk to thin air on set, only for a fantasy figure to be added later. This could be how working with Tilly Norwood unfolds–if anyone even wants to.