Creator of AI Actress tilly norwood Issues Statement Amidst Industry Debate
The creator of AI actress Tilly Norwood released a statement following a wave of backlash sparked by reports that talent agents are seeking to sign the virtual performer as a client. Xicoia creator Van der Velden addressed concerns from actors, emphasizing that AI characters represent a new artistic medium rather than a replacement for human performance.
The controversy ignited at the Zurich Summit over the weekend, where it was revealed that agencies were interested in representing Norwood. This prompted immediate responses from actors including Melissa Barrera,Kiersey Clemons,and Toni Collette,with some calling for a boycott of agencies working with AI talent.
“just as animation, puppetry, or CGI opened fresh possibilities without taking away from live acting, AI offers another way to imagine and build stories,” Van der velden stated. “I’m an actor myself, and nothing - certainly not an AI character – can take away the craft or joy of human performance.”
Van der Velden described the creation of Tilly Norwood as an act of “imagination and craftsmanship,” comparable to character design, role writing, or performance shaping.She launched initial social media accounts for Norwood on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube earlier this year, prior to the official Xicoia announcement last week.
She further argued that AI characters should be evaluated within their own artistic context. “AI characters should be judged as part of their own genre, on their own merits… Each form of art has its place, and each can be valued for what it uniquely brings,” Van der Velden wrote.
the creator expressed hope for the integration of AI into the broader artistic landscape, stating, “I hope we can welcome AI as part of the wider artistic family; one more way to express ourselves, alongside theater, film, painting, music, and countless others. When we celebrate all forms of creativity, we open doors to new voices, new stories, and new ways of connecting with each other.”