If you watched the Grammys red carpet closely and thought something was missing, you weren’t imagining it.
The Glambot was very much present, still capturing the beloved dramatic slow-motion moments from the likes of Lady Gaga, Ari Lennox and Summer Walker. What was missing, however, was Cole Walliser, the man most people associate with it.
Walliser, the longtime producer and face behind E!’s “Glambot”, did not appear at this year’s Grammys and, according to reports, was not hired for the show.
Walliser’s absence didn’t go unnoticed online, especially given how recognisable he has become after years of directing celebrities through their “Glambot” poses.
This time around, a different operator was seen guiding stars on the carpet, raising questions about why Walliser was suddenly sidelined. While some questioned this, most were able to conclude as to why.
The decision comes after weeks of backlash that followed resurfaced emails from 2019. In the exchange, Walliser responded to Yinka Animashaun, a woman who had enquired about booking the “Glambot” for her wedding.
Screenshots of the conversation circulated on social media, with many taking issue with his tone and the way he questioned whether Animashaun could afford the service before even sharing a price.
The emails were criticised for coming across as dismissive and patronising, and the backlash intensified as some social media users accused Walliser of making assumptions based on race.
Around the same time, Walliser was also making headlines following an awkward moment at the Golden Globes red carpet involving Jennifer Lopez.
The viral video showed Lopez moving through the shoot with no care whatsoever while Walliser tried to guide her poses. Many labelled Lopez’s behaviour as rude and cold.
While he initially defended the singer after viewers accused her of being cold on the Glambot, the email exchange screenshots resulted in renewed attention that had Walliser’s past coming back to haunt him.
Days before the Grammys, Walliser posted an apology video on his Instagram feed, acknowledging that the tone of the emails was wrong.
He explained that at the time, he was working alone and handling every aspect of the business himself, but admitted that being overwhelmed was not an excuse.
According to “Variety”, “E!” chose not to bring Walliser back for the Grammys as the channel reassesses how it wants to approach future red carpet coverage.
While the network has not issued a formal statement, sources from “E!” told “Variety” that the decision was part of a broader effort to maintain a professional and respectful working environment.
Despite Walliser not being there, the “Glambot” is still one of the most talked-about moments on any red carpet.
And if you’re wondering what a “Glambot” actually is, it’s a high-speed camera setup that was introduced in 2016 and is used to capture those dramatic slow-motion red carpet shots we see all over social media.
