Cole Walliser, the filmmaker and creative force behind the high-speed “Glambot” slow-motion videos that have become staples of major awards-season red carpets, finds himself in an unexpected spotlight — not for his visuals, but for a swirl of online controversy.
Who Is Cole Walliser?
Walliser is a Canadian director and cinematographer known for his work in music videos and red-carpet cinematography. Over the past decade he’s become widely recognized for operating and directing the “Glambot” — a robotic high-speed camera used at celebrity events like the Golden Globes and Oscars to capture 360-degree slow-motion footage of stars on the red carpet.
His Glambot segments have become a much-anticipated part of award show coverage, especially on entertainment outlets and social platforms.
The Backlash Begins: Viral ‘Rude’ Moment at the Golden Globes
The current controversy began after a clip from the 2026 Golden Globes went viral online. In the brief behind-the-scenes footage, superstar Jennifer Lopez appears to engage with Walliser’s Glambot setup, but her interaction — a polite “thank you” and minimal eye contact before positioning for the slow-motion shot — quickly drew social media criticism. Some viewers labeled Lopez’s behavior as “rude” or unfriendly toward Walliser during the clip.
Fans and commentators took to Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram to call out what they perceived as dismissiveness — an unexpected twist for one of Hollywood’s most visible stars.
Walliser’s Response
Rather than escalate the online tension, Walliser publicly defended Lopez and attempted to de-escalate the narrative. In a video posted to Instagram and TikTok, he explained that he did not feel anything personal or rude during their interaction — emphasizing that red carpet environments are chaotic, rushed, and high-pressure, and that celebrities involved are “at work” and often focused on timing and positioning rather than conversation.
Walliser noted that celebrity interactions with the Glambot are voluntary and that simply agreeing to participate in the slow-motion segments is appreciated. He also stressed that he has never personally felt disrespected by a celebrity while filming Glambot content.
Criticism Beyond the Golden Globes
As the Golden Globes clip circulated, portions of the internet began digging deeper into Walliser’s professional reputation — including resurfaced screenshots and discussions of allegedly curt email exchanges between Walliser and a potential client who inquired about booking the Glambot for a private event. Those old threads have sparked commentary on whether Walliser’s demeanor off camera matches the image he portrays publicly, with some critics on Reddit describing his tone as condescending or unprofessional.
It’s important to note that these anecdotal accounts are circulating on social platforms and are not verified news reports. Still, they have contributed to broader chatter about Walliser’s public image.
Public Reaction: A Mixed Picture
The social media response to the Glambot/Walliser situation has been uneven:
Some users sympathize with Walliser, applauding his calm and mature response to a viral moment that quickly spun into a hashtag-driven controversy. Others criticize him for seemingly defending a star at the expense of accountability, or for facing softer scrutiny than celebrities who are criticized for tiny social missteps. Still others are using the episode as a jumping-off point to talk about celebrity etiquette, red carpet culture, and the pressures of being “on camera” in every moment.
The debate highlights how quickly small, ambiguous interactions — amplified by viral clips — can spiral into online backlash for everyone involved: the star, the director, and by extension the media moments they create.
