Why Glambot Creator Cole Walliser Was Missing From the 2026 Grammy Awards Red Carpet

The 2026 Grammy Awards red carpet was full of stars, fashion, and viral moments — but fans quickly noticed that one familiar face was missing. Cole Walliser, the man behind the iconic Glambot videos, did not appear at the event.

Walliser, 44, is best known as the creator of the Glambot — the high-speed camera setup that captures celebrities posing on red carpets before slowing the footage down for dramatic effect. Since launching the concept in 2016, he has become a staple at major award shows, regularly directing the Glambot for E! News at events like the Golden Globes, the Emmy Awards, and the Academy Awards.

That’s why his absence from the Grammy Awards raised eyebrows.

Online Backlash Before the Grammys

Walliser’s no-show comes just weeks after he faced intense online criticism over resurfaced emails from 2019. The emails were shared on Reddit and showed an exchange between Walliser and a potential client, Yinka Animashaun, who had contacted him to inquire about booking the Glambot for her wedding.

In the messages, Walliser allegedly described the Glambot as an expensive system typically used by major TV networks. When Animashaun said the service was within her budget, Walliser reportedly replied that he didn’t believe her, claiming he had not yet quoted a price and that costs could range from $10,000 to as much as $1 million.

The exchange escalated when Walliser allegedly quoted a fee of $300,000 and asked for a 10 percent deposit. In a final message, he reportedly accused Animashaun of pretending she intended to book the service.

Once the emails circulated online, many users criticized Walliser’s tone, calling it “unprofessional” and “condescending.”

Fans Notice His Absence

When the Grammys red carpet kicked off, the Glambot itself was still present, appearing in behind-the-scenes clips shared by E! News. However, fans quickly noticed that Walliser was nowhere to be seen.

“Cole Walliser isn’t at the Grammys, but the Glambot is,” one fan wrote on X. Another commented, “It’s not actually fun without him.” Others were less supportive, with some joking about pricing and others saying they were glad he wasn’t there.

Walliser Responds and Apologizes

Days after the backlash began, Walliser addressed the situation in a video posted to his Instagram. He admitted that the tone of the emails was wrong and took responsibility for his words.

“The tone in these emails was dismissive and curt, and that is not OK,” he said, explaining that at the time he was overwhelmed and working alone. “But that is not an excuse. Everything lands on me.”

Walliser also spoke about being labeled racist, saying the accusation was especially painful given his own background. However, he acknowledged that people reading the emails could reasonably feel dismissed or biased against.

He went on to apologize to anyone who felt mistreated during live red carpet events, admitting that fast-paced environments can still lead to negative experiences.

“I would never want someone to come see me and leave feeling less than,” he said. “For that, I am sorry.”

Looking Ahead

Walliser ended his message by saying he wants to continue growing and doing better.

“I’d like to think that I have grown a lot in the past seven years,” he said, “but clearly more could be done, and I can do better.”

For now, while the Glambot continues to capture glamorous moments, its creator’s future presence at major award shows remains uncertain.