AI Actress Creator Files Police Report Over Death Threats Amid Hollywood Backlash
The creator of controversial AI actress Tilly Norwood has filed a police report after receiving multiple death threats, highlighting the intense backlash against artificial intelligence performers in the entertainment industry. Dutch comedian Eline Van der Velden, who unveiled the digital character at the Zurich Film Festival last year, revealed the disturbing development in a recent interview with Page Six.
Immediate Industry Backlash
Since Tilly Norwood's introduction, Van der Velden has faced significant criticism from Hollywood unions and prominent actors. The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) immediately condemned AI performers like Tilly, stating they create "the problem of using stolen performances to put actors out of work, jeopardising performer livelihoods and devaluing human artistry."
Despite accumulating over 93,000 followers, the AI actress has been publicly criticized by stars including Emily Blunt, Natasha Lyonne, Sophie Turner, and Toni Colette. Blunt specifically declared that such developments would "take away our human connection," while Scream actress Melissa Barrera called the creation of Tilly and interest in hiring her "gross."
Escalating Threats and Police Involvement
Van der Velden described receiving a death threat just moments before a scheduled Zoom interview, noting this was "one of many she's been getting these days." The comedian subsequently contacted authorities to file an official police report.
"They say there's no humanity behind it, and then they go after the human behind it. It's interesting to me," Van der Velden told Page Six, reportedly shrugging while sharing the news. She emphasized that while public criticism has been intense, she has received "loads and loads" of private support from Hollywood figureheads who have discussed her creation behind closed doors.
Defending the AI Creation
Van der Velden has consistently defended Tilly Norwood as an entertainment-focused creation rather than a replacement for human actors. "She's for entertainment purposes. She's not to be taken too seriously. It's meant to be a bit of fun. AI is a bit funny," she explained.
The creator clarified that Tilly isn't fully artificial intelligence, revealing she herself performs as the actress "acting through a proxy." She also addressed concerns about training data, stating they used publicly available home footage rather than movies to avoid using stolen performances.
Industry Division and Future Vision
Publicist Michelle Waldron noted that initial detractors have begun changing their perspectives: "People who were detracting four months ago have now seen the light and understood. Because a lot of people got swept away by the headlines without reading the full story. Now that they have, they're like, 'Actually, this could be useful for me.'"
Van der Velden expressed her vision for actors to engage with emerging technologies like those behind Tilly to "future-proof" their careers. She emphasized that Tilly should exist in "a world that doesn't inhabit real actors" to avoid taking jobs from human performers.
Hollywood Reactions and Industry Debate
The revelation that talent agents expressed interest in hiring Tilly Norwood intensified the debate about AI's role in entertainment. While many actors have expressed concern, some industry figures remain unfazed. Chris Pratt recently commented on the controversy, stating, "I don't feel like someone's gonna replace me that's AI. I heard this Tilly Norwood thing, I think that's all bulls***."
Van der Velden released a statement last year positioning Tilly as "not a replacement for a human being, but a creative work" that "sparks conversation." She compared AI to other creative tools, saying, "I see AI not as a replacement for people, but as a new tool, a new paintbrush. Just as animation, puppetry, or CGI opened fresh possibilities without taking away from live acting, AI offers another way to imagine and build stories."
The creator, who is also an actor herself, added: "Nothing – certainly not an AI character – can take away the craft or joy of human performance. Creating Tilly has been, for me, an act of imagination and craftsmanship, not unlike drawing a character, writing a role, or shaping a performance."
