Tilly Norwood, the controversial AI “actor” that caused consternation and criticism across Hollywood last year, is back with a new project. The digital character created by AI studio Xicoia, has released a musical comedy video called ‘Take the Lead’.
Arriving purposefully just before Oscars weekend, the song’s message is that rather than seeing AI characters like Norwood as a threat trying to replace them, actors should embrace artificial intelligence as something they can experiment with creatively.
Tilly Norwood first appeared in 2025 and quickly became one of the most talked about AI characters in entertainment. The character was created by Xicoia, the artificial intelligence division of London-based production company Particle6. Both were founded by Dutch actor and producer Eline van der Velden.
The character’s debut immediately sparked criticism across the industry. Early videos featuring Norwood were widely shared online, including a comedy sketch titled ‘AI Commissioner’. Reviewers were not impressed and critics described the sketch as technically interesting but awkward to watch, pointing to the strange visual quirks that AI-generated characters often have.
Anger grew after reports suggested that talent agencies were considering representing the AI character, triggering a strong reaction from actors and unions with some performers raising concerns about personality rights and the use of human likenesses in generative systems. Organizations like SAG-AFTRA and Equity went on to make it clear they do not consider Norwood to be an actor.
Tilly Norwood sings
Despite the backlash, the team behind the project has continued full steam ahead, and the new video, which you can watch below, features Norwood performing ‘Take the Lead’, a pop track that mixes comedy with what is intended as a playful take on the AI debate. It shows what the technology is capable of, and far it’s come, but while impressive, it’s far from perfect.
The release comes ahead of what the creators are calling the “Tillyverse”, a cloud-based entertainment world where AI characters appear in different stories, films, and performances.
The song itself was generated using AI music platform Suno and the video created using a mixture of generative AI tools and more traditional production work.
One key part of the process involved performance capture. Eline Van der Velden herself physically performed the role and software translated those movements to the AI character on screen. The project still required a full production team, with 18 people working across roles such as directing, editing, costume design, production design, and creative technology.
Van der Velden said: “Tilly is, and has always been, a vehicle to test the creative capabilities and boundaries of AI — not take anyone’s job. As an actor myself, I have loved bringing Tilly alive for this video and feel that the ability to now use performance capture in this way, to fully inhabit an AI character, is a phenomenal way to bring an unknown actor like me closer to the craft.
“However, at the end of the day, even with brilliant new technology, it’s still important to stress that great AI content isn’t instant — it always takes good ideas, taste, direction, judgement and time. In other words: people remain at the heart of it.”
The creators say Norwood’s first official AI acting role is planned for later this year as they continue building out the Tillyverse project.
What do you think about AI actors appearing in entertainment? Let us know in the comments.
