Ryan Reynolds has released a Mint Mobile advertisement that addresses the controversy surrounding the AI-generated actress named Tilly Norwood. The commercial, promoting Mint Mobile’s 5G Home Internet service, features Reynolds alongside the real Natalie Tilly Norwood, who shares her name with the digital creation fueling industry debate. This collaboration highlights the service’s appeal while engaging with a current issue in Hollywood.
Details of the Mint Mobile Commercial and Its Message
The new Mint Mobile ad introduces the 5G Home Internet plan, priced at $30 per month, through a playful exchange between Reynolds and the genuine Tilly Norwood. Throughout the 30-second spot, Reynolds highlights Norwood as an authentic Mint Mobile customer, contrasting her with the AI-generated image that has sparked widespread backlash. Reynolds remarks,
“That’s why we invited Tilly Norwood, a real Mint customer, to help us announce it.”
The commercial humorously verifies Norwood’s authenticity, with Reynolds questioning,
“Not an AI-generated combination of actors?”
Norwood responds,
“I’m a combination of my parents.”
The ad finishes with a voiceover clarifying that the service is intended only for carbon-based organisms.
Controversy Around the AI Version of Tilly Norwood
The advertisement nods to the ongoing discussion about the use of AI in entertainment, particularly the controversy prompted by the digital Tilly Norwood, developed by Eline Van der Velden. Reports that talent agencies were seeking to represent the AI actress drew significant criticism from actors and other industry stakeholders concerned about the implications for real performers.
Reactions from Industry Professionals to AI Representation
Various industry figures have expressed unease over the emergence of AI-generated actors. Actress Mara Wilson challenged the practice by asking,
“What about the hundreds of living young women whose faces were composited together to make her? You couldn’t hire any of them?”
Emily Blunt also voiced her concerns, stating,
“Does it disappoint me? I don’t know how to quite answer it, other than to say how terrifying this is.”
These reactions underscore the tension and seriousness with which many in Hollywood regard the rise of AI in casting and representation.
Implications for the Entertainment Industry and Future Advertising
By featuring the actual Tilly Norwood in this commercial, Ryan Reynolds and Mint Mobile not only promote their new internet offering but also contribute to the critical conversation around AI’s role in entertainment. This campaign reflects broader industry concerns and may influence how brands address similar issues moving forward, balancing innovation with respect for real talent in the digital age.
