Eline Van der Velden’s new talent studio vows to redefine celebrity for the AI era

Former YouTuber Eline Van der Velden, founder and CEO of UK-based AI production studio Particle6, is launching what she claims is the world’s first artificial intelligence (AI) talent studio, Xicoia.

Eline Van der Velden

The new business will create, manage and monetise a new generation of AI-generated synthetic stars. It will also work with real life Hollywood stars who want to appear on screen as their younger selves and even work with estates to bring dead performers back to screens.

Xicoia will create AI characters for use in TV series, films, podcasts, brand campaigns, video game and social media videos. Each avatar will be given complete backstories, distinct voices, narrative arcs and unique personalities.

The first such character, Tilly Norwood, which blends “chaotic humour and fearless fashion,” has already been soft launched on YouTube and social media sites.

Van der Velden claims to be negotiating with Hollywood agencies, estates and leading brands on several projects, including celebrity-led partnerships.

She said: “With Xicoia, we’re creating the first studio where AI-driven talent isn’t just a gimmick – it’s living, performing IP with depth, humour and narrative arcs.

“We believe the next generation of cultural icons will be synthetic: stars that never tire, never age and can interact with fans. But just like the best entertainment companies, the key isn’t the technology – it’s the storytelling and the people behind those stories.”