GlamBOT Director Cole Walliser Apologizes After Rude Email Exchange Went Viral

Filmmaker and GlamBOT director Cole Walliser has issued an apology after his emails from 2019 to a woman went viral. He is taking accountability for his past remarks and hopes to do better moving forward.

For those who are unaware, the GlamBOT is a high-speed camera that records slow-motion videos of celebrities posing at prestigious red carpet events, where Walliser is always present, directing celebrities.

On January 18, a woman named Yinka Animashaun posted a short clip on X showing the email exchange she had with Walliser about potentially renting the GlamBOT. Animashaun wanted to know if she could rent it for her wedding.

Walliser replied to the email, writing, "It is not cheap, if you feel like something like this might be within your budget range, then I am happy to discuss further."

When Animashaun confirmed that it was within her budget, Walliser said he couldn't see how it could be within her budget, since he hadn't disclosed the rental price, adding it could be "between $10,000 and $1,000,000."

They had a few more exchanges before Walliser stated that the price was $300,000 and he'd need 10% deposit before they can prepare a contract. Animashaun replied that she'd be in touch with him soon. That wasn't the end of it though, as Walliser sent another email.

"If you wanted to know how much it costs you just need to ask, you don't need to pretend you are going to book it," he wrote.

Animashaun told People that she posted the exchange online after the incident happened, but it didn't gain traction. She also expressed how she felt after reading Walliser's responses to her inquiry. "As a Black woman, I am no stranger to people making assumptions about who I am or what I am capable of," she started.

"I think his responses to me were exceptionally unprofessional and unkind," she said, noting that she was preparing for "one of the best days" of her life when the exchange occurred. "Hopefully, my sharing this can be a learning experience for him and enable him to be better or at least a bit more kind," she added.

Walliser posted an Instagram video addressing the viral emails, admitting that he was "dismissive" and "curt" with Animashaun. He proceeded to say that at that time, he was a one-man team and did all the tasks by himself, which was overwhelming. "But that is not an excuse," he added.

He added that it was difficult for him to be called a racist, which some who have read the emails accused him of, saying that he's half-Chinese and had experienced issues growing up.

Walliser understands why people are upset with him after reading the emails, and he takes responsibility for what he wrote. Moreover, he apologized to those who "felt dismissed or treated less than on the red carpet."

He didn't mention specific names, but explained that red carpet events are fast-moving and there are times that he may, unintentionally, dismiss some celebrities due to time constraints. "I do understand that it could happen and it did happen and for that I am sorry," he said.

The GlamBOT may be associated with Walliser today, but it was created by director Joseph Kahn back in 2016. Amid the email controversy, Kahn confirmed on X that he designed the GlamBOT for E! and operated it at the Grammys, too.

In one post, Kahn wrote, "Do you want to operate a glambot? Here's how you do it." He then told his followers to attach their phone to a selfie stick, record the video in slow motion, swing the stick toward the subject "really fast," stabilize the video in editing, and slow it down using an app.

"Congrats. You just made $300,000 at a wedding," he concluded, choosing to use humor to weigh in on the email controversy.

News of Walliser's emails went viral after a video of Jennifer Lopez at the Golden Globes went viral. As reported by The Blast, social media users accused the singer of being rude after a short interaction with Walliser before Lopez posed for the GlamBOT.

Days later, Walliser defended Lopez by saying that he didn't feel she was rude at all during the interaction. She simply knew the pose she wanted to do for the camera.

"I knew she was getting ready. I knew it was late. We were just getting through it," he said, adding that he appreciates the celebrities who take time to stop by the GlamBOT before the ceremony.