In July, Tilly Norwood made her debut in a video produced by Particle 6, a generative artificial intelligence-powered production company founded by Dutch comedian Eline Van der Velden. It’s caused a wave of controversy, but this time it’s not because Norwood is a nepo baby, or because she appeared in an offensive, tacky jean commercial.
Rather, she was created entirely by AI and is being marketed as the world’s first AI actress. It’s worrying for a number of reasons, but especially for actresses, as youth is prioritized when telling female-centric stories.
The video, which has already garnered over half a million views, pokes fun at the proliferation of remakes and revivals and at celebrity culture, as Norwood cries on TV show host Graham Norton’s couch. The final line is uttered by an AI-generated man hopping into a car: “At least it wasn’t a reboot.” It sets an alarming precedent, where AI-produced content is seen as original rather than derivative.
It has become increasingly clear we are already in the AI age, whether we like it or not. Studios have quietly implemented AI into films such as “Dune: Part Two” and “The Brutalist.” Van der Velden has announced that some talent agents have expressed interest in representing Norwood. Van der Velden already has more stars like her in the works through Xicoia, the offshoot of Particle 6, which created her. Some celebrities, like actress Emily Blunt, fear being replaced by these AI actors and the loss of “human connection” in film.
Although Norwood has faced the ire of many in the entertainment industry, not everyone is opposed to the use of AI. Ben Mankiewicz, long-time host of Turner Classic Movies, has come under fire for his endorsement of “The Wizard of Oz” showing at Sphere, a 4D version of the 1939 film that uses AI visuals. While Mankiewicz acknowledges AI fears are legitimate, some celebrities, like Van der Velden, go a step further by actively participating in the AI revolution.
Of the celebrities to make headlines for their involvement with AI, the most notable is Natasha Lyonne. Revered for her performances in “But I’m a Cheerleader” and “Poker Face,” the actress has found herself in hot water over her production company, Asteria, which she co-founded in 2022. Asteria, which promotes itself as an “artist-led generative AI film and animation studio” relies on “the first clean AI model.” Lyonne has called Asteria an “ethical” use of AI, a claim many have rebuked.
Lyonne claims she doesn’t want to see the artist replaced, and AI should be used as a tool, not the solution. However, it’s difficult to find a silver lining when so many artists have lost their jobs or face creative work being stolen to build the next generative AI model, ethical or not. For now, Hollywood is fearful of Norwood, but its subtle embrace of the technology makes me think it won’t be long until we see dozens of Norwood clones in the background of a Marvel movie.
AI is everywhere, and if Van der Velden’s vision of the future is true, Hollywood will eventually embrace it. Already, Lyonne is slated to make her directorial debut via Asteria with her upcoming film “Uncanny Valley.” As AI tools continue to improve, it will only be a matter of time until AI-actress Norwood, like the actors who fear her, is replaced by a better AI. However, while creatives are still split on how to use the technology, and without federal protections against it, Hollywood appears unprepared for the impending squall.
Claudia Fuller is a junior studying creative writing at Ohio University. Please note the opinions expressed in this column do not represent those of The Post. Want to talk to Claudia about her column? Email her at cf204322@ohio.edu.
