Do we really need AI actresses? Meet Tilly Norwood
Hollywood has always been quick to embrace new technology, from sound and color to computer-generated effects. Now, the latest experiment isn’t a new camera or software, it’s a performer. Meet Tilly Norwood, an AI-generated character introduced by the studio Xicoia and marketed as the industry’s first “AI actress.”
Tilly isn’t real. She’s a digital creation, carefully designed to feel familiar. Some viewers say she resembles a mash-up of several well-known stars. Her debut came in a short comedy sketch, where her delivery was polished but unmistakably artificial. For Xicoia, that’s the point. The studio promotes her as a practical alternative to human actors: no contract disputes, no scheduling problems, no off-screen scandals. In their view, Tilly is the beginning of a cheaper, more efficient filmmaking model.
The reaction from the industry has been anything but welcoming. Actors like Emily Blunt and Melissa Barrera have been outspoken in their criticism, with Blunt calling the idea “really, really scary.” The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) has also stepped in, stressing that Tilly is not an actress but a piece of software built on the work of real performers, many of whom were never asked for permission or compensated. For the union, the issue goes beyond job security. It’s about protecting the value of human creativity and preventing studios from cutting corners at the expense of artists.
Tilly Norwood has quickly become a symbol in the larger conversation about AI’s role in the arts. Does using AI performers open up new creative possibilities, or does it strip storytelling of its most essential element, the human touch? With her debut, those questions are no longer theoretical. The entertainment industry now has to decide how much space, if any, it’s willing to give to digital stand-ins.
For a deeper look into the controversy, this video provides additional context from industry insiders: Controversy over AI-generated actress, Tilly Norwood
