The creator of a viral AI actress reaffirmed that the character is a work of art following intense backlash from the creative community.
Tilly Norwood, a “girl-next-door” style virtual actress showcased on Instagram, has already attracted interest from several talent agencies, according to Eline Van der Velden speaking at an industry panel in Switzerland. She noted that studios are increasingly adopting AI to cut production costs.
“When we first launched Tilly, people asked, ‘What is this?’ Now we’ll soon announce the agency representing her,” said Van der Velden.
The AI-generated Norwood has starred in a short sketch, and since July, Van der Velden has expressed ambitions for Tilly to become as prominent as Scarlett Johansson or Natalie Portman, highlighting AI’s limitless creative possibilities without budget constraints.
Hollywood remains wary of AI’s role. “Scream” actress Melissa Barrera urged a boycott of any talent agent promoting Tilly, while “Matilda” star Mara Wilson argued that AI creations take opportunities away from real performers.
On Tilly’s Instagram, Van der Velden defended her project: “She is not a human replacement but a creative work—a piece of art that sparks conversation and showcases the power of creativity.”
AI’s presence in creative industries continues to grow, with virtual band “The Velvet Sundown” surpassing one million Spotify listeners and Vogue publishing an AI-model advertisement in August.
