Follow up to Glambot director Cole Walliser: leaked e-mails + clearing the air on “rude” Jennifer Lopez
Not sure what the whole Glambot scandal is about? I’ve included a videos from D’Angelo and Kiki Chanel in case you’d like a more detailed rundown/feel like throwing on some background noise, but TL;DR, Cole Walliser (the current Glambot guy and somehow a quasi-celebrity in his own right) was outed as an asshole. What’s happened since those emails leaked? Somewhat predictably, the internet has gone in on Cole.
Turns out, everyone secretly hated him before this and now that everyone else does, too, the claws have come out. People are not only surfacing clips of him being a pretentious asshole behind the scenes but also sharing proof that he has used generative AI to produce TikTok captions (such as when he left the AI response text in his TikTok upload of ONTD boyfriend Hudson Williams’ Glambot shot).
Some famous faces have also offered their own perspectives on the situation. While Cole has become largely synonymous with the Glambot, it’s not actually his concept, nor does he own the equipment himself. In 2016, Joseph Kahn (one of Taylor Swift’s many former besties) created the Glambot for E! and even operated it during the same Grammys where he won an award:
Director Joseph Kahn reveals he originated the Glambot a decade ago, before Cole Walliser:
“Yes I created it back in 2016 for E! The lighting, camera work, lens choices, and methodology are all my design.” pic.twitter.com/8pTfGikL9S
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) January 21, 2026
Kahn acknowledged that the Glambot continuing without him is part and parcel of creating content for clients: “It’s actually very common in my career to do something and then a client takes elements, equipment, workflow, crew, methodology and replicate it without me. That’s the nature of executing for brands.” He offered tips for those looking to create their own budget-friendly Glambot alternative using an iPhone and a selfie stick before cautioning against operating any sort of Glambot recklessly:
Everyone saying an iPhone can hit someone in the face. Yes, so can a Glambot, and it’s much bigger and can kill a celebrity. It’s a heavy, moving unstoppable robot arm. Part of the methodology I designed was how to space everyone from the rig to stay out of danger, and set order…
— Joseph Kahn (@JosephKahn) January 22, 2026
While perhaps best known for appearing on reality TV like America’s Next Top Model, Nigel Barker has also previously worked as the Glambot director for the Golden Globes and Grammys. Barker shared the actual cost of booking the Glambot in an Instagram comment (and it’s nowhere near the $300k USD Cole quoted Yinka Animashaun in 2019): “I used to be the Glambot director several years ago and I have since booked the camera system on other jobs like for an ALO Yoga campaign. It costs around $25K for basic package in NY or LA. I was the director at the Globes and Grammys.”
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