Ryan Reynolds is having some fun with Hollywood’s ongoing backlash over the AI-generated actress Tilly Norwood. In his latest Mint Mobile ad, the actor stars alongside a real Natalie “Tilly” Norwood, who shares her name with the viral AI actress. Produced by Reynolds’ own Maximum Effort, the witty campaign promotes Mint Mobile’s 5G Home Internet service.
Watch Ryan Reynolds and human Tilly Norwood in new Mint Mobile ad
Ryan Reynolds has unveiled a new Mint Mobile commercial that makes a reference to the ongoing debate over AI-generated actress Tilly Norwood. The ad features Reynolds alongside Natalie “Tilly” Norwood, a real woman who shares her name with the AI actress, the creation of which sparked major backlash in Hollywood.
The advertisement promotes Mint Mobile’s new 5G Home Internet service, which is priced at $30 per month. In the 30-second clip, Reynolds introduces Norwood as a genuine Mint Mobile customer helping announce the new service. The Deadpool actor said, “That’s why we invited Tilly Norwood, a real Mint customer, to help us announce it.”
Reynolds asked, “You are real, right?” to which Norwood affirmed. The actor then specified, “Not an AI-generated combination of actors?” The actress then responds, “I’m a combination of my parents.” The exchange concludes with a voiceover clarifying that the new internet plan is available only to “carbon-based organisms.”
The ad references the controversy surrounding the digital version of Tilly Norwood, created by Eline Van der Velden. Reports of talent agencies pursuing representation for the AI actress drew significant backlash. Many actors and industry professionals criticized the move.
Mara Wilson questioned, “What about the hundreds of living young women whose faces were composited together to make her? You couldn’t hire any of them?” Meanwhile, Emily Blunt said, “Does it disappoint me? I don’t know how to quite answer it, other than to say how terrifying this is.”
Originally reported by Disheeta Maheshwari on ComingSoon.
