AI Actress Stirs Controversy at Alma Mater of 'Stranger Things' Creators

Chapman University's Dodge College of Film and Media Arts brought a polarizing guest speaker to its lecture halls earlier this month. Per Deadline, the alma mater of The Duffer Brothers, who created Stranger Things, promoted a talk from "AI actress" Tilly Norwood. Created by Dutch actress, comedian, and Particle6 Group founder Eline Van der Velden in 2025, the AI-generated character has drawn ire across Hollywood, from SAG-AFTRA to prominent players in the industry. Van der Velden also launched Xicoia, an AI talent studio that will generate "hyperreal digital stars."

In an interview with Deadline, Van der Velden insisted that Norwood "was always meant to be in her AI genre, and that's where she'll stay." She would not replace human actors. However, the college's backing of the world's first AI actress has provoked castigation from its students and alumni. In an Instagram reel plugging Norwood on the Dodge College page, comments ranged from "Gross and irresponsible" to "Do better" to "We don't want AI slop."

Hot on the heels of the controversy, Dodge Dean Stephen Galloway sent an email to students to inform them that financial grants totaling $40,000 will be available to those who use AI with "originality, inspiration, and creativity" for filmmaking projects. The dean thanked "generous donors" for their support, but their identities are under wraps.

A Chapman University spokesperson addressed the campus-wide concerns:

"We are taking a thoughtful and deliberate approach to artificial intelligence in our policies and practices inside and outside of the classroom. This includes the formation of interdisciplinary and cross-functional groups across the university to look at the issues, benefits, and potential concerns about AI, as well as the development of a survey that is being distributed to our entire university to learn their perspectives. The reality is that AI is already part of our society and is a growing practice in numerous industries."

The aforementioned Instagram reel on the Dodge page has since been deleted.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Apr 17, 2026, where it first appeared in the Entertainment section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published April 17, 2026 at 2:47 PM.