A seemingly ordinary bathroom break transformed Eline van der Velden’s life—and the entertainment industry. During her quick escape, the artificial intelligence innovator had a lightbulb moment. Sure, it might ruffle some feathers, especially with stars like Whoopi Goldberg and Ryan Reynolds weighed in on the concept.
“I still remember it clearly: in February 2025, after a bathroom visit, I told the team, ‘Let’s create an AI actress; it could be really fun,'” Van der Velden, a British-Dutch comedian and physicist, recalled with a chuckle. Initially, they dubbed her “AI’s Scarlett Johansson.”
To bring this idea to life, Van der Velden and a team of 15 at London-based Particle 6 jumped into action. They utilized ten AI tools, including ChatGPT and DeepSeek, and generated around 2,000 drafts for a project titled Cyber Showgirl, culminating in the character Tilly Norwood, a British brunette designed with girl-next-door appeal.
The team spent significant time picking a name that felt authentically British yet unique enough to stand out. They envisioned her physique as that of a “beautiful young woman,” hoping she’d connect with global audiences.
Instead of just copying real people’s features, they pulled together data from various language models to create a near-flawless digital persona. “The first time I saw Tilly, I thought, ‘Wow, this is her,’” Van der Velden expressed, admitting surprise at how her “brain, personality, and backstory” were still evolving.
“I can see how someone might find it jarring to meet Tilly without going through the creation process,” she noted.
However, this project has sparked controversy, with many prominent personalities calling for a boycott of agencies representing AI talents. Goldberg, a celebrated actress, criticized the project, stating, “We can tell them apart. Our movements are distinct.”
Ryan Reynolds, in a recent Mint Mobile commercial, playfully questioned a real human, also named Tilly Norwood: “You’re real, right? Not just a mash-up of actors created by AI?”
Natasha Lyonne found Tilly’s emergence troubling, asserting that it’s not just about the technology but also the way it’s utilized. Similarly, Emily Blunt expressed concern that AI could dangerously blur the lines of authenticity in the industry.
This discontent is compounded by SAG-AFTRA’s promise to oppose the replacement of human performers with AI. Yet Tilly isn’t alone—AI characters are gaining traction, which could threaten those trying to establish or retain their positions in the industry.
For instance, another AI creation, Breaking Rust, has recently made waves in the country music scene, reaching Billboard charts with fully AI-generated songs.
Lucas Hansen, co-founder of CivAI, a nonprofit aimed at ensuring safe AI use, reassured performers that their jobs aren’t in immediate danger, as consumers value the backstory that usually accompanies traditional artists. “AI artists typically lack that,” he explained.
But as technology progresses, experts warn that AI beings could become indistinguishable from real humans. Hansen cautioned, “We’re already heading in that direction.”
Despite the mixed reactions, van der Velden maintains that Tilly isn’t meant to replace human actors. “It’s a bit frustrating because Tilly isn’t out to take anyone’s job,” she said, referring to the backlash since Tilly’s appearance in a comedy sketch.
Her AI creation has only had one official acting gig so far, in a short film, indicating that it’s currently intended to occupy a specific niche.
Van der Velden emphasized, “Tilly belongs in the AI film genre, and we’re keen on keeping it that way.”
Moreover, her talent agency, Sikoia, plans to introduce at least 40 new AI actors soon, with the profits from Tilly’s work funneling back into expanding their projects. They are also looking to partner with well-known human actors to create digital copies of themselves.
This, she believes, can be a beneficial application of AI. However, she also raised concerns about the potential unrealistic beauty standards AI creations might set, noting Tilly’s intentionally natural look to avoid comparisons with real-life females.
“We aimed for Tilly to appear healthy, and we made it clear that she’s an AI so people wouldn’t compare their looks to hers,” Van der Velden stated.
In another corner of the AI music scene, self-taught professional Telisha “Nicki” Jones is making waves with Zania Mone, an AI-generated R&B singer, who recently signed a lucrative contract with a music label.
Though Zania is described as a 29-year-old woman, Jones views her as an extension of herself, through which she expresses her life’s messages. Zania’s rise, including multiple placements on Billboard charts, has stirred mixed reactions among real-life artists.
Despite the criticism directed at her automated counterpart, Jones proudly champions Zania’s voice and lyrics, showcasing what can be done through AI. After investing in an AI music creation platform, she turned her own voice into that of a rich, soulful diva.
“Zania is like therapy; she helps me process my emotions,” Jones shared. Although facing skepticism online, she remains undeterred, confident in her unique path alongside her AI creation.
“Everyone is entitled to their opinions,” she concluded, “but Zania Monet is a force for healing.”
