Hollywood Fumes Over AI ‘Actress’ Tilly as Stars Push Back

Hollywood is up in arms after the unveiling of “Tilly,” an AI-generated actress created by digital content firm Particle6. The virtual performer, who has been posting on Instagram like any other rising star, quickly drew backlash from actors and industry insiders once reports surfaced that talent agencies were considering signing her. Critics, including stars like Sophie Turner and Cameron Cowperthwaite, blasted the project as “disturbing” and “thoughtless,” arguing that AI creations exploit the work of real actors and creatives without consent. Particle6 founder Eline Van Der Velden insists Tilly is “a piece of art” meant to complement—not replace—human talent, comparing AI characters to animation or CGI. But for many in Hollywood, Tilly represents a growing threat in an industry still grappling with AI’s impact on jobs, creativity, and ownership of work.