Hollywood’s top stars have expressed outrage after an AI-created ‘actress’ was dubbed the ‘next Scarlett Johansson’.
Introducing Tilly Norwood, a so-called rising star in the acting world who is drawing attention from talent agencies eager to hire her.
However, Tilly is not a real person.
She is an AI-generated fictional character crafted by comedian Eline Van der Velden.
Despite her social media profiles being clearly marked as AI, ‘Tilly’ still managed to gain traction and was even compared to Scarlett Johansson, which ignited a wave of anger from Hollywood figures.
Many took to social media platforms to voice their disapproval and frustration towards Van der Velden’s creation.
Mara Wilson, known for her role in Mathilda, highlighted a significant issue, stating: “And what about the hundreds of living young women whose faces were composited together to make her? You couldn’t hire any of them?”
Similarly, Melissa Barrera suggested boycotting agencies that embraced this AI creation, saying: “Hope all actors repped by the agent that does this, drop their a$$.
“How gross, read the room.”
Kiersey Clemons echoed these sentiments, writing: “Out the agents. I want names.”
In response to the backlash, Van der Velden stood by her creation.
She posted on her Instagram: “To those who have expressed anger over the creation of my AI character, Tilly Norwood, she is not a replacement for a human being, but a creative work – a piece of art.
“Like many forms of art before her, she sparks conversation, and that in itself shows the power of creativity.”
Van der Velden further defended her work, noting: “I’m an actor myself, and nothing – certainly not an AI character – can take away the craft or joy of human performance,” arguing that Tilly ‘represents experimentation, not substitution’.
However, others have pointed out the troubling implications of generative AI, including its environmental impact and the ongoing issues surrounding the portrayal of women’s bodies and autonomy in the entertainment industry.
One individual commented: “Ravaging our ecosystem to build a girl who can’t age or say no.”
Another pointed out the history of show-business ‘manufacturing’ female stars, often with significant personal costs to the women involved.
“They’ve done this plenty of times before – Brittany, Miley, Taylor… but now they won’t get older and lose their mind, or so we hope,” they noted.
Additionally, some argued that merely ‘sparking conversation’ is insufficient, stating: “Mimicry of art without empathy is empty. This AI ‘actress’ is no ‘piece of art.’ It’s a fraudulent misrepresentation of what art is.
“Also art isn’t defined by sparking conversation alone.”