AI Actress Doppelganger TikTok Goes Viral

AI Actress Creates Controversy

After reports surfaced that Tilly Norwood, an actress generated by A.I., was “in talks” to be represented by a talent agent, outrage spread through Hollywood. Stella Hennen of Nashville, age 20, was confused. She told Slate that a friend had sent her a video, and at first, she believed it was a prank. The concept of an “A.I. actress” was already confusing, but it was compounded when Hennen realized that Tilly Norwood, supposedly a fictional character, looked exactly like her.

TikTok Reactions

Hennen posted a recent TikTok video of herself posing next to the avatar with the caption, “GUYS WHY IS THIS AI ACTRESS TILLY NORWOOD LOWKEY MY DOPPELGANGER.” The video quickly went viral, with many commenters comparing it to the “Joan Is Awful” Black Mirror episode, which has a similar premise.

Studio Response

Xicoia, the talent studio responsible for Tilly's creation and launched by A.I. production studio Particle 6, denies using Hennen’s likeness “in any way.” The company stated to Slate that “Tilly was developed entirely from scratch using original creative design,” adding, “We do not and will not use any person or performer’s likeness without explicit consent and fair compensation.”

Singer's Concerns

Hennen, an indie singer-songwriter with aspirations of being in the spotlight herself, is disturbed by the resemblance. “I was double-taking every single picture I saw because it literally felt like I was looking at things I forgot I did,” she explained. She spoke with Slate by phone shortly after sharing her story on TikTok to discuss what this uncanny likeness could mean for her future.

When asked about reactions to her video, she said people told her, “You should sue!” She added, “I’m just a girl. I’m 20. I don’t know anything when it comes to [A.I.]” She consulted her management and lawyers but doesn't know what will happen. Initially, the TikTok post was lighthearted, but the comments made her anxious.
“This is a little disturbing and scary because what are they gonna do with this A.I. character that resembles me a lot?” she wondered.

Hennen also wondered if she had unknowingly posted a photo that was used to create the AI character. One comment suggested an ex might have put her face into a database. She said she was “freaking out, wondering if I signed anything,” but is “99.9 percent sure I didn’t.” She acknowledged it “could be pure coincidence, or something like that could have happened, but it’s a world I know absolutely nothing about, and I’m scared of it.”

Future Implications

She is especially concerned because Tilly has agents interested in working with the character, and “there’s a possibility we see this A.I. actress in film.” Knowing how similar they look, Hennen said, “To be honest, it’s super disturbing and scary. Because I don’t know what could come of it. I think it is definitely something that people are gonna have to start worrying about because it is not just a me problem anymore. It really will start affecting all artists and all creatives, and I feel like it undermines the true creative process.”
“You know, I’d rather be the one acting. Put me in a rom-com!”

Regarding her next steps, Hennen plans to “take it day by day” and listen to her lawyer and managers. She wants to raise awareness because she doesn’t believe “A.I. belongs in the creative industry,” stating, “There’s so many cons to it—they totally outweigh any of the possible pros.”