Glambot Creator's Absence Marks 2026 Grammy Red Carpet
The 2026 Grammy Awards red carpet spectacle has officially commenced, yet a conspicuous void has been noted by observant fans. The notable absence is Cole Walliser, the 44-year-old filmmaker and director who pioneered the iconic Glambot slow-motion celebrity videos.
Red Carpet Staple Missing from Premier Event
Walliser rose to prominence in 2016 through his innovative technique of capturing high-speed footage of celebrities on red carpets, subsequently slowing it down to create dramatic, glamorous sequences. Over the past decade, his Glambot work became a fixture at major awards ceremonies, including the Golden Globes, Emmy Awards, and Academy Awards, primarily for E! News coverage.
However, during the recent Grammy Awards, E! News shared numerous behind-the-scenes clips on social media platform X featuring celebrities engaging with the Glambot camera system. Numerous users quickly identified that Walliser himself was not present at the event, sparking immediate online discussion about his missing presence.
Social Media Reacts to Walliser's Non-Appearance
The platform was swiftly inundated with commentary regarding the director's absence. One fan remarked, 'Hm so Cole Walliser isn't at the #Grammys but the Glambot is.' Another observed, 'Just realized Glambot guy isn't at the Grammys, it's not actually fun without him.'
Further comments directly referenced the recent controversy, with one user noting, 'Notice how the Glambot guy isn't at the Grammys after all that drama.' Another responded to a post about his absence with, 'We cheered,' while someone else sarcastically suggested, 'He upped the price,' alluding to the scandal that has enveloped the filmmaker.
Email Exchange Sparks Professionalism Backlash
The controversy emerged in recent weeks when a Reddit user uploaded what appeared to be a 2019 email correspondence between Walliser and a potential client, Yinka Animashaun, who sought to book his services for a wedding. The exchange, which quickly circulated online, led to significant backlash with many branding Walliser's communication as 'unprofessional' and 'condescending.'
In the alleged emails, when Animashaun inquired about booking the Glambot, Walliser reportedly emphasized the expense involved, stating, 'Just so you are aware the Glambot is a camera system and personnel used by a network television station for one of the biggest red carpets of the year. It is not cheap.'
After Animashaun confirmed the service would be within her budget, Walliser allegedly responded that he didn't believe her assertion since he hadn't provided a quote, indicating costs could range from $10,000 to $1 million. When she asked about the booking process, he reportedly quoted $300,000 with a 10% deposit, then added, 'If you wanted to know how much it costs you just needed to ask, you don't need to pretend you are going to book it.'
Walliser Addresses Controversy in Public Apology
Following the widespread criticism, Walliser broke his silence days later through a video posted to his Instagram account. He acknowledged that the tone in his emails was 'dismissive and curt' and accepted full responsibility for his words.
'The tone in these emails was dismissive and curt and that is not OK,' Walliser told his followers. 'In 2019, I didn't have a team around me, it was just myself. I edited every single video. I answered every single email, and I was overwhelmed. But that is not an excuse. Everything lands on me.'
He also addressed allegations of racial bias, stating, 'I think the hardest part about all of this is being labeled racist. I'm half Chinese and growing up, issues of identity, race and belonging deeply affected me and I would never intend to inflict that onto anybody else.'
Walliser extended apologies to anyone who felt mistreated during red carpet interactions, noting, 'Live events move really fast and I would never want someone to come see me and leave feeling that way. But I do understand that it could happen and it did happen and for that I am sorry.'
He concluded by expressing his commitment to personal growth, saying, 'I'd like to think that I have grown a lot in the past seven years and I always want to treat everybody with respect that they deserve, but clearly more could be done and I can do better.'
The absence of the Glambot director from one of entertainment's most prestigious events underscores how professional controversies can impact participation in high-profile industry gatherings, even for those who have become synonymous with the visual spectacle of celebrity culture.
