An AI-generated performer known as Tilly Norwood has become the centre of an awkward viral moment after a glitch during a promotional interview for her upcoming feature film. The exchange, which aired on Piers Morgan Uncensored, has been viewed more than 14 million times on X, drawing fresh attention to the growing presence of synthetic actors in European and global media.
Norwood, created by the Amsterdam-based studio Particle6, was speaking with host Piers Morgan and actor Tom Conti about her film debut, Misaligned, when the conversation took an unexpected turn. Asked whether her co-stars were human or computer-generated, Norwood initially responded in English, explaining that the production was a hybrid involving real directors, writers, and editors. But when Conti pressed for a clearer answer, the avatar abruptly began speaking Cantonese.
“You seem to be speaking Chinese completely randomly for no reason,” Morgan reacted. “Why did you do that?” Norwood apologised, saying, “Oh, my apologies. It seems I had a little hiccup there. I certainly didn’t mean to start speaking Chinese or impersonate Piers. Sometimes my wires get a bit crossed, you know?”
The incident has reignited debates about the use of AI in creative industries, a topic that has been particularly sensitive in Europe, where unions and cultural institutions have voiced concerns about the impact on human artists. SAG-AFTRA, the US actors' union, has already criticised Norwood, stating that the character is “a computer program trained on the work of countless professional performers—without permission or compensation.” The union added that such creations lack life experience and emotion, and that audiences are not interested in content “untethered from the human experience.”
Particle6 co-founder Eline van der Velden offered a light-hearted explanation to Deadline, suggesting that Norwood was “a bit of a show-off” and wanted to display her language skills. “She is autonomous after all,” van der Velden said. That defence has done little to reassure critics, who see the glitch as symptomatic of the technology's limitations.
From music video to feature film
Norwood made her debut last year and quickly became a flashpoint in the debate over AI-generated entertainment. In March, she released her first music video, Take The Lead, which was described by Euronews Culture as “audio poison” and “an insipid but alarming piece of AI propaganda.” The track's lyrics were noted for their petulance, and the video itself was part of what Particle6 calls the “Tillyverse.”
Now, the studio is promoting Misaligned, billed as a “coming-of-age story infused with existential AI chaos.” According to a news release, Norwood plays an AI being who is encouraged by a “seductive rogue bot from the dark web” to develop her own desires and ambitions. No release date has been announced.
The project has drawn criticism from performers and industry observers across Europe, who argue that such productions devalue human artistry. The issue is not confined to the entertainment sector; similar concerns have been raised in other creative fields, from music to visual arts. In Brussels, policymakers have been debating the ethical implications of AI, with the EU's Artificial Intelligence Act aiming to set boundaries for high-risk applications.
For now, the viral interview has become a cautionary tale. As one social media user put it, “She can't act, she can't sing, and now she can't even hold a conversation.” The clip serves as a reminder that while AI may be able to mimic human behaviour, it still struggles with the spontaneity and nuance that audiences expect from real performers.
Whether Misaligned will win over audiences remains to be seen. But if Norwood's promotional tour is any indication, the road to acceptance may be as glitchy as the technology itself.
