Virtual Star Tilly Norwood Faces Outcry Creator Defends

Virtual Actress Tilly Norwood Faces Outcry, Founder Stands Firm

Written by Aaron S.,

Editor-In-Chief

Last Updated: September 29, 2025

Key Takeaways

Eline Van der Velden defends her AI character, Tilly Norwood, as an artistic project, not a substitute for real-life actors;
Critics fear AI actors could compete with humans, but Van der Velden calls Tilly a tool to inspire creative storytelling;
Revealed at Zurich Film Festival, Tilly is part of Xicoia, a new studio focused on developing virtual talent and exploring AI in film.

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Eline Van der Velden, the Dutch founder of Particle 6 Productions, has responded to the criticism surrounding her virtual character, Tilly Norwood.

The statement, posted on her Instagram and on Norwood’s account, came after reactions from film fans and actors who worried that the artificial intelligence (AI) figure might compete with human performers.

During the Zurich Film Festival, Van der Velden had announced the launch of Xicoia, which she described as the first studio focused on developing AI talent.

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She also revealed that Norwood would be seeking professional representation.

Addressing those concerns, Van der Velden stressed that Norwood should be seen as an artistic project rather than a substitute for real people. She explained:

She is not a replacement for a human being, but a creative work, a piece of art.

According to her, the point of the character is to encourage conversation, and that alone proves its value as a creative experiment.

She went on to compare the use of AI in storytelling to other techniques that, once unfamiliar, later became established in the industry. Animation, puppetry, and computer-generated imagery, she argued, did not erase acting, they expanded what could be imagined.

She said, "I see AI not as a replacement for people, but as a new tool, a new paintbrush".

Van der Velden also noted that she plans to reveal Norwood’s agency soon. At the same time, she asked audiences to evaluate AI-based characters on their own terms.

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