Does The Rise Of AI Mean Hudcon Is Hollywood's Last Cinderella Story?

InnovationAIDoes The Rise Of AI Mean Hudcon Is Hollywood's Last Cinderella Story?ByCortney Harding,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Cortney is an expert in smartglasses, VR, AI, and the future of work.Follow AuthorApr 23, 2026, 01:16pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.TORONTO, ONTARIO - NOVEMBER 24: Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams attend the premiere of "Heated Rivalry" at TIFF Lightbox on November 24, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Harold Feng/Getty Images)Getty ImagesHeated Rivalry became a sensation when it started airing last winter for many reasons – great storytelling, a fantastic soundtrack, many steamy scenes – but the Cinderella story of its two young leads can’t be overlooked. Suddenly inescapable, Connor Storrie (most recently seen in a campaign for Tiffany&Co) and Hudson Williams (starring in an ad for Peloton that might do more for the company than Covid ever did) were, until last year, jobbing actors and restaurant servers. Their meteoric rise is something to be celebrated – and in the current climate, it might be the last time it happens. There has been much talk about the impact of AI on Hollywood; it was one of the main issues of the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes in 2023. More recently, concerns have been raised about the use of an AI-generated version of the late actor Val Kilmer for a forthcoming film. But aside from a handful of high-profile controversies, AI hasn’t made a massive impact on the mainstream film world just yet. A partnership between OpenAI and Disney was cancelled in March 2026 as OpenAI’s Sora app was discontinued. AI-generated “actor” Tilly Norwood generated a lot of controversy and conversation but has yet to star in a major project. Despite this, there are two much more immediate concerns for aspiring young actors that will likely impact them well before AI-generated sc...