Tilly Norwood’s New Musical Video “Take The Lead” Encourages Actors to Embrace AI
AI Actress Tilly Norwood Launches Music Video Amid Industry Backlash
In a bold response to the backlash faced by AI actress Tilly Norwood, the London-based company Particle6 has released a musical video titled “Take the Lead.” The launch coincides with the upcoming Oscars and encourages actors to embrace AI technology rather than reject it.
The four-minute music video features Norwood singing about the creative potential of AI while performing on rooftops and at a grand concert reminiscent of Taylor Swift’s performances, highlighted by thematic elements of pink flamingos.
In the lyrics, Norwood reflects on her identity: “When they talk about me, they don’t see the human spark, the creativity, behind the code, behind the light, I’m just a tool but I’ve got life… They think I’m just a dollar dream but I’ve got more than they believe. I’m not a puppet. I’m a star guided by the heart that’s who we are.” The song culminates with a rallying call for actors: “Actors it’s time to take the lead, create the future, plant the seed. Don’t be left and fall behind, build your own and you’ll be free. We can scale we can grow; be the creators we’ve also known. It’s the next evolution, can’t you see?”
Particle6 describes the video as a precursor to Norwood’s “official AI acting debut” later this year, unveiling a vision for the Tillyverse—a new, cloud-based entertainment landscape where AI characters coexist and interact.
The company emphasized the collaborative human effort behind the video, noting that 18 individuals contributed to various roles including executive producer, director, and costume designer. This statement serves to address earlier concerns surrounding the use of AI in the medium.
The music was created using the AI generator Suno, with performance capture techniques employed to bring Norwood’s character to life. Particle6 founder Eline van der Velden expressed her excitement about the project, stating, "Tilly is, and has always been, a vehicle to test the creative capabilities and boundaries of AI – not take anyone’s job." She added that while new technology can enhance storytelling, the essence of great content relies on human creativity and direction.
Norwood, one of the first AI actor creations from Particle6’s Xicoia AI talent studio, was initially soft-launched last summer but stirred controversy after Van der Velden revealed that industry agents were interested in representing the AI character.
The release of the music video comes shortly after Xicoia announced the appointment of Mark Whelan, a former Amazon Prime Video executive, as the "leading architect of the Tillyverse," indicating future growth for both Norwood and the virtual world she inhabits.
