AI Actress Tilly Sparks Hollywood Backlash Amid Agency Talks

NEW YORK (AP) — The AI-generated character Tilly Norwood is drawing intense criticism from Hollywood actors after reports surfaced that talent agencies are interested in representing her. Created by Eline Van der Velden, founder of digital content firm Particle6, Tilly is being marketed as the first AI actress in the film industry.

Since her debut on Instagram in February 2025, Tilly has claimed to pursue an acting career, posting screen test updates much like a typical influencer. With wavy brown hair and clear skin, she appears like a young woman seeking traditional acting roles. However, the revelation that agencies might sign her has sparked widespread outrage among human actors.

“This is incredibly thoughtless and frankly disturbing,” said actor Cameron Cowperthwaite, known for roles in “Shameless” and “American Horror Story.” Game of Thrones actor Sophie Turner also voiced her disapproval, commenting, “Wow … no thanks.”

In response to the backlash, Van der Velden stated that Tilly is not meant to replace human actors but rather to be viewed as a piece of creative art. “Like many forms of art before her, she sparks conversation, and that in itself shows the power of creativity,” she wrote. However, critics argue that AI creations like Tilly threaten the livelihoods of real artists whose work was used to train AI models without consent.

Hollywood’s Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) has spoken out against the idea of AI actors, asserting, “creativity should remain human-centered.” They expressed concerns that Tilly, as a computer-generated entity, lacks the life experience and emotion that human actors bring to their performances. The union’s statement highlighted the ongoing worries about AI’s potential to diminish human artistry.

Emily Blunt also expressed her concern, labeling the concept of AI actresses as “terrifying.” Marvel star Simu Liu tweeted sarcastically about the prospect of AI actors. These sentiments reflect the broader anxiety within Hollywood as the industry navigates the implications of artificial intelligence.

Despite the criticism, discussions at industry events suggest several studios are quietly embracing AI technology. Van der Velden noted that interest in AI-generated characters is growing, hinting at announcements of new projects that may include AI talent in the near future.

With Tilly gaining traction online and racking up over 30,000 Instagram followers, her future remains uncertain amid the fractious discussions of AI and creativity in Hollywood. As actors continue to rally against the push for AI representations, the unfolding situation spots a challenging road ahead for the entertainment industry.