Ryan Reynolds has joined the discussion around AI actress Tilly Norwood with a clever twist. In a new Mint Mobile ad, the Deadpool actor teams up with a real woman with the same name to poke fun at the controversy. The humorous ad promotes Mint Mobile’s new 5G Home Internet while subtly contributing to the debate.
Ryan Reynolds brings Non-AI actress Tilly Norwood in new ad
In a new Mint Mobile commercial, Ryan Reynolds appears alongside Natalie “Tilly” Norwood, a real woman who happens to share her name with the viral AI-generated actress that recently caused a major stir in Hollywood. The ad, produced by Reynolds’ production company, Maximum Effort, promotes Mint Mobile’s latest service, a 5G Home Internet service priced at $30 per month.
Earlier this year, the AI version of Tilly Norwood, created by Eline Van der Velden, became a topic of discussion in the entertainment industry. The AI actress sparked widespread debate and concern about artificial intelligence replacing real human talent, prompting backlash from actors, filmmakers, and unions.
Reynolds’ new campaign takes a clever jab at that controversy. In the 30-second ad, the Spirited actor introduces Natalie Norwood as a “real Mint customer.” He said, “That’s why we invited Tilly Norwood, a real Mint customer, to help us announce it,” before asking, “You are real, right?”
After she confirms, he adds, “Not an AI-generated combination of actors?” Norwood wittily replies, “I’m a combination of my parents.” The commercial ends with a humorous voiceover clarifying that the new internet deal is available only to “carbon-based organisms.”
The rise of AI actress Tilly Norwood has stirred major backlash in Hollywood. Reports that talent agencies were allegedly interested in representing the virtual performer sparked outrage among actors and filmmakers. Nicholas Alexander Chavez dismissed the concept entirely, writing, “Not an actress nice try.” Meanwhile, Mara Wilson questioned the ethics of using real women’s features to create her. (via Dexerto)
