The Real Reason a Glambot Producer Was Dropped From the Grammys Carpet

This year’s Grammy Awards felt a little different for viewers who always watch the red carpet closely. The famous Glambot camera was still rolling, but the man usually behind it was missing. E! chose not to bring back longtime Glambot director Cole Walliser, and the move quickly caught attention online.

According to Variety, the decision came after weeks of criticism tied to Walliser’s past behavior. Fans noticed right away that someone else was running the high-speed camera as stars arrived, even though the setup itself looked the same.

The situation began earlier this year at the Golden Globe Awards. A short Glambot clip of Jennifer Lopez spread fast on social media. In the video, Lopez stayed focused on the camera and did not respond to Walliser as he spoke to her.

Some viewers called her rude, while others defended her. Walliser himself stepped in at the time and said Lopez was simply being professional and knew exactly how the shot should look. Still, the clip created a lot of unwanted buzz.

Not long after that, another issue surfaced. Old emails from 2019 were shared online, showing an exchange between Walliser and a woman named Yinka Animashaun. She had reached out to ask about booking the Glambot for her wedding.

In the messages, Walliser questioned whether she could afford the service and suggested she was only asking for the price without serious intent. He implied that the Glambot can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $1 million.

As backlash grew, Walliser posted an apology on Instagram. He admitted his tone in the emails was dismissive and wrong. He explained that he was overwhelmed at the time and handling everything on his own, but he said that did not excuse how he spoke to her. The apology did little to slow the criticism.

By the time the Grammys arrived, E! had made its choice. A different operator stepped in to run the Glambot, and celebrities like Bad Bunny and Michelle Williams still took their turns in front of the camera.

Insiders told Variety that E!, now owned by Versant, wants to protect a respectful and professional image on the red carpet. The network is reportedly reviewing how it handles talent and crews at major events going forward.

Away from the controversy, the Grammys were a big night. Bad Bunny won Album of the Year for his Spanish-language release, while Billie Eilish took home Song of the Year. Sabrina Carpenter also delivered one of the most talked-about performances of the evening.

Jennifer Lopez, whose Glambot moment helped spark the conversation, continues to stay busy with her Las Vegas residency and her film Kiss of the Spider Woman. The Glambot itself is not going anywhere. Created by director Joseph Kahn in 2016, it remains a staple of awards season, even if the person behind it has changed.

Do you think E! made the right call by replacing the Glambot operator, or should his apology have been enough to move forward? Share your thoughts in the comments.