Background: What Sparked the Backlash
A set of **emails from 2019 between Glambot director Cole Walliser and a woman named Yinka Animashaun resurfaced online and went viral in January 2026. The exchange began when Animashaun emailed Walliser to inquire about booking his Glambot high‑speed camera system — famous from award‑show red carpets — for her wedding. (au.news.yahoo.com)
In his replies, Walliser told her the service “wasn’t cheap” and that prices could range between about $10,000 and $1,000,000, which critics saw as dismissive and condescending. One of his lines in the thread — “I don’t see how you could be [within that budget range]…” — was widely shared and branded elitist and rude. (Reddit)
Case Study — What the Emails Showed
2019 Email Thread Details
- Animashaun: Asked if the Glambot was available for her wedding and requested rates. (Reddit)
- Walliser’s first reply: Indicated the service was expensive and asked if it was within her budget. (Reddit)
- Animashaun: Confirmed it was within her budget. (Reddit)
- Walliser: Suggested she couldn’t afford it before explaining costs could be anywhere from $10,000 to $1,000,000. (Reddit)
- Later Walliser email: Quoted a figure ($300,000 and a 10% deposit) and then added a remark implying she shouldn’t have “pretended” to book just to ask for a price. (Reddit)
Impact:
The tone struck many as condescending, elitist, and dismissive, sparking accusations online that he was rude to non‑celebrity clients and implying bias in his responses. (Indulgexpress)
Walliser’s Response
Public Apology & Statement
Amid widespread online criticism, Cole Walliser released a video and written responses acknowledging the resurfaced emails:
- He admitted the tone in the 2019 emails was “dismissive and curt,” saying that was “not OK.” (au.news.yahoo.com)
- Walliser explained that in 2019 he was working alone — handling filming, editing, and email responses by himself — and was “overwhelmed.” However, he said that wasn’t an excuse and took full responsibility for his words. (au.news.yahoo.com)
- Walliser said the hardest part was being labelled racist. He stated he’s half Chinese and that issues of identity have “deeply affected” him, and he would never intend to be racially biased. (au.news.yahoo.com)
- He acknowledged people of colour often experience dismissive treatment and said he understood why people could assume bias, even if that wasn’t his intent. (au.news.yahoo.com)
- Walliser also reflected on how Glambot work has evolved and said he wanted to do better in treating people with respect. (au.news.yahoo.com)
Reaction From Yinka Animashaun
Yinka Animashaun also responded publicly after her name and the exchange went viral:
- She shared the original emails online, explaining she simply wanted to know if the Glambot was available and what it would cost. (International Business Times UK)
- Animashaun and some commenters criticised the apology for being public rather than a direct personal apology to her, saying he should have reached out privately as well. (PopRant)
Public & Social Media Commentary
Mixed Public Reaction
After the apology, many online commenters said his response fell flat:
- Some argued the apology didn’t directly say sorry to Animashaun herself, only acknowledged general upset. (The Tab)
- Critics online claimed reposted emails showed a pattern of dismissive replies to others besides Animashaun. (PopRant)
Reddit and social reactions reflect a range of views:
- Some defended Walliser, noting that business owners sometimes quote high prices and handle inquiries briskly. (Reddit)
- Others called the apology a “non‑apology” and said he didn’t fully address the hurt expressed by people from marginalized groups. (The Tab)
- There was debate about whether being half Chinese and discussing personal background was relevant to addressing claims of bias. (The Tab)
Wider Context & Commentary
About Glambot and Walliser
Cole Walliser is known for operating the Glambot — a high‑speed camera rig that creates slow‑motion red‑carpet footage at award shows like the Oscars and Golden Globes. In early 2026, he gained attention defending Jennifer Lopez on red carpet shooting behaviour, which may have contributed to increased scrutiny of his public and private interactions. (Home)
Summary of Key Points
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| What leaked? | A 2019 email exchange between Cole Walliser and Yinka Animashaun about booking Glambot. (au.news.yahoo.com) |
| Why it went viral? | Walliser’s tone was seen as dismissive, elitist, and potentially biased. (Indulgexpress) |
| Walliser’s reaction | Public apology acknowledging tone was inappropriate and taking responsibility. (au.news.yahoo.com) |
| Public response | Mixed — some feel apology isn’t genuine or direct; others discuss context and stress. (The Tab) |
| Animashaun’s view | Says the apology should be personal, not just public. (PopRant) |
Final Commentary
On professionalism: This situation highlights how private business communications can shape public perception years later, especially for creative professionals with a public brand.
On apologies and accountability: Many online observers point out that effective apologies often include direct personal acknowledgement to those affected — not just general statements — to help rebuild trust.
On social media dynamics: The viral spread of a leaked email exchange shows how past interactions — even business‑related emails — can rapidly become wider cultural flashpoints in discussions about professionalism, race, and privilege.
Here’s a case‑study and commentary-focused breakdown of the Cole Walliser / Glambot leaked 2019 email situation, including real examples, reactions, and public commentary:
Background
In early 2026, a 2019 email exchange between Cole Walliser, director of the Glambot (a high-speed slow-motion camera rig used on red carpets), and Yinka Animashaun, a woman inquiring about booking the Glambot for her wedding, resurfaced and went viral.
Key points:
- Animashaun requested pricing for a wedding booking.
- Walliser’s replies noted the service was very expensive — quoting a range from $10,000 to $1,000,000 — and made comments that many interpreted as condescending or elitist.
- The tone of the emails led to claims of rudeness and potential bias, sparking widespread discussion online. (au.news.yahoo.com)
Case Study 1 — Business Communication vs Public Perception
Scenario:
- Animashaun emailed for a wedding quote.
- Walliser’s 2019 emails suggested she might not afford the service, despite her confirming her budget.
Outcome:
- The email thread, once public, painted Walliser as dismissive to non-celebrity clients.
- Even though it was a standard business negotiation, the public perceived the communication as elitist, highlighting the risk of tone in written business communication.
Commentary:
This demonstrates that emails, even private business inquiries, can have long-term reputational impact, particularly when a professional has a public persona.
Case Study 2 — Public Apology and Reputation Management
Walliser’s Response:
- Released a public apology, acknowledging the emails were “dismissive and curt.”
- Claimed he was overwhelmed at the time, managing Glambot operations solo.
- Reiterated he did not intend to be racially biased, noting he is half Chinese and sensitive to issues of discrimination.
- Expressed desire to improve professionalism and respect in communications. (au.news.yahoo.com)
Outcome:
- Mixed reception: some saw the apology as responsible; others felt it lacked a direct personal apology to Animashaun.
Commentary:
Effective reputation management often requires direct acknowledgment to affected parties, not just a public statement. In this case, public perception is split.
Case Study 3 — Impact on Clients and Brand
Scenario:
- Glambot is frequently booked for high-profile red carpet events and is known for its high price and exclusivity.
Impact of the email leak:
- Non-celebrity clients may feel intimidated or unwelcome, affecting potential bookings.
- The leak demonstrates how viral content can influence future client behavior, especially for luxury or high-profile services.
Commentary:
Brand perception is fragile; even legitimate business practices, when perceived as rude or exclusive, can spark significant backlash.
Public & Social Media Commentary
- Reddit / Twitter: Mixed reactions. Some defended Walliser, saying he was just stating business realities. Others criticized the tone as elitist or insensitive. (reddit.com)
- Animashaun’s reaction: Shared the emails and called for personal acknowledgment, saying a public statement alone was insufficient. (ibtimes.co.uk)
- Broader discussion included how high-profile creatives communicate with everyday clients and how social media amplifies past missteps.
Key Takeaways
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Who | Cole Walliser, director of Glambot |
| What | Responded to leaked 2019 email thread |
| Trigger | Public criticism for perceived elitist / dismissive tone |
| Response | Public apology; acknowledged tone, took responsibility, discussed personal background |
| Public Reaction | Mixed; some defended him, others felt apology was insufficient |
| Implications | Highlights risks of private communications going public; importance of professionalism and tone |
Final Commentary
- Lesson for professionals: Private business emails can resurface years later, so professionalism and clarity are critical.
- Lesson for brand management: Public apologies must balance acknowledgment, responsibility, and direct communication with affected parties.
- Broader context: The Glambot incident shows how luxury/high-profile service providers are scrutinized differently in the social media era.