According to reports multiple talent agents are now looking to hire AI actress Tilly Norwood, details revealed

Tilly Norwood emerged as one of the first attempts to transform an AI-generated actress into a recognizable name in the entertainment industry. She was developed by the talent studio Xicoia, launched by actress, comedian, and technologist Eline Van der Velden. The news that multiple talent agents are already showing interest in representing her was confirmed during a panel at the Zurich Summit and later reported by outlets such as Deadline and Discussing Film.

The announcement quickly spread across the industry and triggered conversations about how AI might be positioned in Hollywood. What looked like a distant possibility just a year ago is now part of formal talks with agents. The fact that these discussions are happening at major events shows that the subject has entered the professional agenda of studios and agencies.

This growing visibility helps to explain why the potential signing of Tilly Norwood with a talent agency has attracted such attention. Only a few months ago, the idea was received with skepticism, yet by mid-year it had already gained traction among industry players.

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A manufactured star

The project was described as an experiment in hyper-realistic digital creation. Rather than presenting a simple avatar or animation, the intention was to design a figure capable of standing in the same narrative space as human actresses. The difference lies in the ambition: the goal is to position Tilly Norwood not as a side character, but as a screen-ready performer.

Although the term was not used directly in reports, the case has been connected to the concept of the uncanny valley, which refers to the discomfort people may feel when faced with artificial figures that appear almost human. The attempt with Tilly is to overcome this reaction and to present her in a way that can be accepted by audiences without strangeness.

Previous coverage also pointed out that Van der Velden and her team openly compared their creation with internationally known actresses. References to Scarlett Johansson and Natalie Portman were cited as examples of the type of projection they hope to achieve. That strategy has made the project both controversial and intriguing.

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The Zurich Summit

At the Zurich Summit, Van der Velden shared details about how the perception of Tilly Norwood evolved in a short time. She explained that meetings held in early 2025 were marked by disbelief, while by May, the same executives were asking for conversations about possible collaborations. She also stated that an agency is expected to be announced as Tilly’s representative in the coming months.

The panel also featured Verena Puhm, who now leads Luma AI’s Studio Dream Lab LA. Puhm noted that major studios were already experimenting with AI projects, even if these were not made public. Her remarks confirmed that behind the official caution, companies were quietly developing workflows and testing ways to integrate the technology into production.

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Shifting tones

The statements at Zurich suggested that the reception of AI-generated talent had changed quickly. What had been a dismissal earlier in the year became curiosity and then interest. Both Van der Velden and Puhm described this transition as a turning point in how entertainment companies approach artificial intelligence, showing that the topic is moving from speculation to practical planning.

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Divided reactions

The interest in Tilly Norwood was not met with universal approval. Online reactions varied between severe criticism, jokes, and worried comparisons. One user described the development as bleak, another mocked the chosen name, while others referred to Terminator as a way of expressing concern.

The response echoed debates that were still fresh in Hollywood. During the 2023 actors’ and writers’ strikes, the use of artificial intelligence was one of the most contested points. The idea of a digital actress being represented by an agency immediately touched on these memories and fueled the sense of distrust among many observers.

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Tilly Norwood and the impact on the industry

According to Deadline, if the signing with a talent agency is confirmed, Tilly Norwood will become one of the first AI-created actresses to achieve formal representation. That alone is considered notable, as agencies traditionally work only with human performers.

For the studio behind her, the step would be strategic. Representation by an agency opens access to opportunities and places the AI figure within the same negotiation frameworks as established stars. The expectation, publicly shared by Van der Velden, is that the announcement will take place soon.

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What comes next

The Zurich panel also highlighted that several studios and companies are expected to reveal larger projects involving artificial intelligence starting in early 2026. At this stage, no titles have been confirmed, and no detailed schedules have been released. What is known is that Tilly Norwood is already present in digital spaces and continues to be prepared for broader visibility.

In the meantime, the fact that multiple agents are engaged in talks reinforces that the industry sees the project as more than a curiosity. Tilly has become a subject of professional negotiation, not only a digital experiment.

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Conclusion

Tilly Norwood, created by Xicoia, moved from experiment to potential agency signing in only a few months. The combination of rising interest in boardrooms and divided reactions among audiences makes her a clear sign of the moment Hollywood is living in. The confirmation of agency representation, expected soon, will be the first test of how far this initiative can go and how much space an AI-generated actress can claim in the entertainment industry.