SAG-AFTRA Condemns AI-Generated Actress Trained on Actors' Unlicensed Work
SAG-AFTRA condemned an AI-generated actress named Tilly Norwood, reportedly created by training on professional actors' work without their consent or compensation. The union warned that using synthetic performers violates contractual obligations and threatens actors' jobs, while multiple Hollywood stars publicly opposed the project.
What happened
Tilly Norwood, an AI-generated actress, was officially launched at the Zurich Film Festival in late September 2025. Created by company Xicoia under the direction of Eline Van der Velden, the digital character was trained on the work of professional actors without their knowledge or compensation, reportedly combining features of celebrities including Gal Gadot, Ana de Armas and Vanessa Hudgens.
Talent management agencies reportedly expressed interest in representing Tilly Norwood. SAG-AFTRA issued a statement condemning the project, stating that 'Tilly Norwood is not an actress, but a character generated by a computer program trained on the work of countless professional actors β without their consent or compensation.'
Reported impact
SAG-AFTRA warned that signatory producers cannot use 'synthetic performers' without notification and negotiation under contractual obligations. The union stated that the project would result in 'stolen performances' being used to deprive actors of jobs, threatening their livelihoods and devaluing human art.
Hollywood actors including Melissa Barrera, Kiersey Clemons, Mara Wilson, Whoopi Goldberg and Emily Blunt publicly condemned the project on social media and in interviews, expressing concerns about job displacement and loss of human connection in entertainment.
Index analysis
The incident represents a conflict between creative AI applications and labor protections in the entertainment industry. The system was reportedly trained on actors' performances without consent, raising issues of intellectual property appropriation and unauthorized use of likeness.
In 2023, Hollywood actors had been on strike for approximately four months partly to establish regulations governing the use of artificial intelligence in the industry, providing context for SAG-AFTRA's enforcement position.
Governance controls
Van der Velden stated that Tilly is described as 'a work of art, not a substitute for humans' and characterized AI as 'a new brush, a tool for creation, as animation and CGI have opened other possibilities without replacing real actors.' This contrasts with SAG-AFTRA's contractual enforcement position requiring notification and negotiation for synthetic performers.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.