An artificial intelligence actress named Tilly Norwood is generating significant interest from Hollywood talent agencies, sparking immediate backlash from working actors and reigniting concerns about AI’s role in entertainment. Dutch actor Eline Van der Velden unveiled the digital creation through her AI production studio Particle6 at the Zurich Film Festival, announcing the launch of Xicoia, an artificial intelligence talent studio that has already drawn agent attention despite industry resistance.
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Hollywood’s Digital Talent Emerges
Eline Van der Velden’s Particle6 studio has introduced what may be Hollywood’s first AI actress represented through a dedicated talent agency framework. The Dutch-language AI creation, named Tilly Norwood, represents a new frontier in digital performance that blurs traditional boundaries between technology and acting. Van der Velden, who continues her own acting career while developing AI projects, describes Norwood as a “piece of art” rather than a human replacement.
“I see AI not as a replacement for people, but as a new tool, a new paintbrush,” Van der Velden wrote on Instagram, defending the project against immediate criticism. The announcement comes as Hollywood continues to grapple with artificial intelligence’s expanding role in creative industries. According to a McKinsey State of AI 2023 report, generative AI adoption has more than doubled since 2022, with marketing and sales functions seeing the highest implementation rates.
Actors Voice Immediate Opposition
Working actors responded swiftly and critically to news of talent agencies considering representation for the AI actress. Melissa Barrera, star of the recent “Scream” franchise, posted on Instagram: “Hope all actors repped by the agent that does this, drop their a$$. How gross, read the room.” The sentiment reflects broader industry concerns about AI encroaching on creative professions traditionally reserved for human performers.
Other prominent actors including Kiersey Clemons, Toni Collette, and Lukas Gage have joined the criticism, highlighting the tension between technological innovation and job security in the entertainment industry. The backlash echoes concerns raised during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strikes, where AI protections became a central bargaining point. According to SAG-AFTRA’s AI summary, the union secured important protections but continues to monitor emerging threats to performers’ livelihoods.
Contract Implications and Future Negotiations
The emergence of AI performers arrives just as Hollywood prepares for another round of potentially contentious labor negotiations. The current SAG-AFTRA contract expires on June 30, 2026, and artificial intelligence’s role in replacing human performers is expected to be a major discussion point. Industry analysts predict that digital performers could initially fill background and supporting roles before potentially advancing to more significant characters.
According to a RAND Corporation analysis of AI and entertainment labor, the technology could affect between 15-30% of acting jobs in the coming decade, particularly those involving standardized performances or background work. The report notes that while AI may create new types of creative positions, the transition could be disruptive for traditional performers. Van der Velden’s insistence that Norwood represents artistic expression rather than human replacement does little to calm these concerns.
The Future of Performance in Hollywood
While Tilly Norwood remains unsigned by any major agency, her existence signals a shifting landscape for performers and production companies alike. Industry experts suggest that AI performers might initially find roles in experimental projects, international productions seeking language flexibility, or content requiring digital de-aging technology. The rising demand for virtual influencers, already a $15 billion market according to industry estimates, provides a potential pathway for AI actors.
What remains clear is that artificial intelligence will continue transforming Hollywood’s creative processes. As the Motion Picture Association notes in its innovation reports, technological adoption in entertainment has accelerated dramatically since 2020. While established stars like Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence face little immediate threat from digital competitors, the broader acting community watches developments like Norwood with understandable concern about their professional futures.