AI Actress Tilly Norwood Nears Talent Agency Deal

The entertainment industry is witnessing an unprecedented development as Tilly Norwood, an AI-generated actress, approaches a landmark deal with a talent agency. Created by Xicoia, an AI talent studio founded by actor and producer Eline Van der Velden, Norwood represents a controversial new frontier in Hollywood.

Van der Velden announced at the Zurich Summit that the agency representing Norwood will be revealed in the coming months. The AI actress has already built substantial digital presence, amassing nearly 20,000 Instagram followers alongside active social media profiles.

Ambitious Goals for Digital Stardom

Van der Velden’s vision for Norwood is remarkably ambitious. “We want Tilly to be the next Scarlett Johansson or Natalie Portman,” she told Broadcast International. The creator views AI as a creative tool rather than a replacement, comparing it to animation, puppetry, or CGI technologies that expanded storytelling possibilities.

Industry Backlash and Creative Defense

The project has sparked significant controversy within the acting community. Notable actors including Toni Collette and Lukas Gage voiced opposition on social media. Van der Velden defended her creation, describing Norwood as “an act of imagination and craftsmanship” comparable to drawing characters or writing roles.

This development arrives amid broader concerns about AI displacing creative professionals. While debates about automation have often remained abstract, Norwood’s emergence makes the potential impact on actors, musicians, and writers strikingly tangible.

The announcement raises fundamental questions about the future of performance art and whether audiences will embrace AI-generated talent alongside human actors. As Norwood edges closer to official representation, the entertainment industry watches closely to see how this unprecedented experiment unfolds.