Cole Walliser, the director behind the viral red carpet 'Glambot' camera, has publicly defended Jennifer Lopez after she faced a storm of online criticism for her perceived 'rude' and 'disrespectful' behaviour at the 2026 Golden Globes.
The Viral Moment That Sparked Outrage
The incident occurred as Lopez, a seasoned pro at the Glambot's signature slow-motion shots, approached Cole on the carpet. In the now-controversial clip, the singer and actress is seen barely looking up, offering a murmured greeting before turning her back to the director to position herself for the camera. After completing the swooping turn in her sheer gown in a matter of seconds, she waved and walked away to continue her evening.
This brief interaction, however, was dissected by thousands of viewers who branded JLo's no-fuss, business-like demeanour as outright rude. The backlash was swift, with fans and critics alike taking to social media to voice their disapproval of her closed-off approach to the typically cheerful director.
Director Cole Walliser's Defence: 'The Internet Needs to Calm Down'
In a video posted to his social media channels on January 19, 2026, Cole Walliser directly addressed the furore. "I didn't take it personally," he stated firmly, adding that her attitude "didn't feel rude in that moment." He urged, "the internet needs to just calm down."
Walliser provided crucial context for the encounter, explaining that Lopez was simply 'down to business'. "The carpet was closed. She's ready to go inside. She knew what she was gonna do. She got into the position," he said. He acknowledged the unfortunate optics, noting, "It's just unfortunate that the position was she was facing away from me. So I am talking to her, she is looking away, but she's getting ready for the move."
He also revealed that her late arrival contributed to the rushed nature of the moment. "I knew she was getting ready. I knew it was late," he reasoned. "We were just getting through it. That moment didn't feel rude."
The Reality of the Red Carpet 'Work' Environment
Walliser used the opportunity to shed light on the often chaotic reality of the red carpet, describing the environment as "generally insane." He explained that celebrities are constantly shepherded by publicists between interviews, photo calls, and fixtures like the Glambot with little warning.
"These celebrities, they're at work," he emphasised. "They're there to do a thing to promote their show, to be a guest, to be a presenter… they're working." He expressed gratitude for any star who stops to participate, calling it a "generous" act, as they are under no obligation to do so.
He even drew a parallel to a previous incident with model Cara Delevingne at the 2023 Oscars, where she appeared to roll her eyes before her Glambot shot. Walliser noted he hadn't spotted the eye-roll in the moment and would have edited it out if he had, further illustrating how split-second moments can be misinterpreted outside the high-pressure context.
Ultimately, Walliser's defence paints a picture of a professional completing a task efficiently under time constraints, rather than a star being deliberately discourteous. His comments serve as a reminder of the curated yet frantic nature of award show arrivals, where not every interaction is as it initially seems.
