A viral social media clip that appeared to show Jennifer Lopez being dismissive to a camera operator at the 2026 Golden Globes has been addressed and clarified by the man at the centre of the incident.
The Viral Moment and the Accusation
Last week, a tightly edited video from the Golden Globes red carpet circulated online, showing Cole Walliser, the administrator and director behind the famous high-speed Glambot camera, greeting the singer and actress. In the clip, Jennifer Lopez, 56, is seen looking down and away from Walliser, murmuring a brief "Hi, nice to see you" as she demonstrates a pre-planned pose for the slow-motion glamour shot.
The brief exchange led some viewers to criticise Lopez's demeanour, with one person commenting online, 'JLo was so rude to that Glambot guy.' The moment quickly became a topic of discussion, adding to the perennial online speculation about celebrity behaviour at high-pressure events.
Walliser Sets the Record Straight
On Sunday, Cole Walliser took to his Instagram account to provide crucial context and directly defend the Bronx-born performer. In a detailed video, he explained that the incident was nothing more than a snapshot of a hectic red carpet environment.
"I didn't take it personally. It didn't feel rude in that moment," Walliser stated emphatically. He revealed that he is often asked to name the "worst" or "rudest" celebrity to work with, but urged the internet to "calm down" over such interpretations.
He outlined several factors that contributed to the misleading nature of the clip. "The carpet was closed. She's ready to go inside. She knew what she was gonna do," he said, noting that Lopez was simply focused and efficient. He pointed out that her chosen pose happened to have her facing away from him, which created the unfortunate visual of her not making eye contact during his greeting.
"I knew what she was doing. I knew she was getting ready. I knew it was late. We were just getting through it," Walliser added, demonstrating his professional understanding of the fast-paced red carpet workflow.
A Broader Perspective on Red Carpet Pressures
Walliser used the opportunity to offer a wider commentary on the realities of awards shows for celebrities. He stressed that stopping for his Glambot is "completely elective" and a generous act by stars who are under immense pressure.
"Anybody that stops, I already like you because you're taking the time to do my thing," he explained. He described red carpets as "generally insane" and "a really crazy environment," where many celebrities are approaching an unfamiliar setup while trying to manage a packed schedule of media commitments.
"These celebrities, they're at work," Walliser concluded. "They're there to do a thing to promote their show, to be a guest, to be a presenter... they're working." His defence reframed the narrative, highlighting the professional rather than personal nature of the interaction.
On the red carpet that night, Jennifer Lopez had stunned in a vintage, nude-toned mesh gown from the early 2000s, which she sourced from the boutique LILY et Cie. The fashion moment, however, was temporarily overshadowed by the misinterpreted exchange, now firmly put to rest by the Glambot director himself.
