The creative force behind the iconic slow-motion celebrity shots seen at the Oscars and Grammys has found himself at the centre of a social media storm. Cole Walliser, the 44-year-old filmmaker and director famed for his 'Glambot' camera work, is facing intense backlash over alleged 'rude' and 'condescending' emails sent to potential clients in 2019, which have recently resurfaced online.
The Alleged Email Exchanges
The controversy began when a Reddit user uploaded screenshots of what appears to be a 2019 email correspondence. In the exchange, a woman named Yinka Animashaun reached out to enquire about booking Walliser's Glambot services, presumably for a wedding. The response, allegedly from Walliser, was blunt, 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.'
When Animashaun confirmed the service would be within her budget, the filmmaker is said to have replied that he didn't believe her, as he had not yet quoted a fee. He then stated that hiring him and his crew could cost between $10,000 and $1 million. After she asked for the next steps, the alleged email from Walliser presented a figure of $300,000 with a 10% deposit required. When Animashaun said she would respond by Monday, the purported reply was dismissive: '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.'
Social Media Reaction and a Second Incident
The shared emails sparked outrage on Reddit, with users criticising Walliser's tone. Comments branded him 'unprofessional', 'condescending', and a 'grifting rude scammer'. One user questioned, 'If he's such a huge deal, why on earth is he answering his own emails?'
In a separate thread, another user posted a screenshot from an alleged 2019 Instagram exchange. When asked about booking the Glambot for a wedding, the account purportedly belonging to Walliser responded: 'Hey dude. I mean you can but there's a reason Glambot is only at the Oscars, the Grammys and the Golden Globes,' followed by money bag emojis. Reaction to this second exchange was more mixed, with some defending it as a realistic heads-up about the service's exclusivity and cost.
Context and Walliser's Recent Defence
Walliser, who shot to fame in 2016, is a staple at major awards ceremonies, having directed the Glambot for the Academy Awards, Grammy Awards, Golden Globes, and Emmy Awards. The legitimacy of the surfaced emails has not been independently verified, though an email signature included a link to his official website. The Daily Mail has contacted both Walliser and Yinka Animashaun for comment.
This controversy emerges shortly after Walliser publicly defended Jennifer Lopez from claims she was 'rude' to him during a Glambot shoot at the 2024 Golden Globes. In a video, he stated he did not take her behaviour personally and that it 'didn't feel rude in that moment.' The contrast between his defence of a celebrity and the alleged emails to members of the public has fuelled the current online debate about his professionalism.
