A woman has come forward to publicly criticize Cole Walliser, the director of the popular GlamBOT camera technology, alleging a pattern of unprofessional and unkind behavior during an email exchange in 2019 concerning a potential booking for her wedding. Yinka Animashaun shared the extensive 11-email correspondence on X (formerly Twitter) on January 18th, sparking widespread discussion about the interaction.
The Initial Inquiry and Walliser’s Skepticism
The exchange began with Animashaun reaching out to Walliser to inquire about the availability and rates of GlamBOT for her wedding, scheduled for September 20th and 22nd. She expressed her desire to have the unique slow-motion camera experience at her celebration. Walliser’s initial response, while thanking her for the inquiry, immediately set a condescending tone. He stated, "It is not cheap, if you feel like something like this might be within your budget range, then I am happy to discuss further." This preemptive remark, before any pricing information was even shared, suggested an assumption about Animashaun’s financial capacity.
Escalating Assumptions and a Staggering Price Tag
Animashaun, undeterred and confident in her budget, replied, "Yeah it’s something in my budget range :)." This response seemed to further provoke Walliser, who then retorted, "I don’t see how you could be since I didn’t say how much it was and could be between $10,000 and $1,000,000." This vast and speculative range, presented without any clear context or breakdown, appeared designed to intimidate or perhaps even to test Animashaun’s resolve.
As the conversation progressed, Animashaun indicated her intention to follow up by the end of the weekend to move forward with the booking process. Walliser’s response at this point escalated his apparent skepticism into a direct accusation of insincerity. He stated, "$300,000 I’ll take a 10% deposit to secure the gear and once I have the deposit I can do a contract. Ready to get started?" When Animashaun politely replied that she would reach out by Monday, Walliser fired back with a dismissive and accusatory message: "If you wanted to know how much it costs you just needed to ask, you don’t need to pretend you are going to book it."
Animashaun’s Emotional Response and Call for Kindness
In an exclusive statement to PEOPLE, Animashaun expressed the deep emotional impact of this exchange. She described feeling "hurt" and "angry" by Walliser’s unprofessional and unkind demeanor. As a Black woman, she noted that she is accustomed to facing assumptions about her identity and capabilities. However, she found Walliser’s responses to be exceptionally rude and unprofessional, especially considering she was in the midst of planning one of the most significant days of her life. She voiced her hope that by sharing her experience, Walliser might learn from it and become a kinder and more considerate professional.
The Viral Spread of the Controversy
Animashaun revealed that she had shared this interaction online multiple times since 2019, but it had only recently gained significant traction. A post about the exchange by the popular X account Pop Crave garnered over 120,000 likes and amassed more than 30 million views, bringing the incident to a much wider audience. This viral attention highlights the public’s strong reaction to Walliser’s alleged behavior.
Contextualizing the Controversy: The Jennifer Lopez Incident
The GlamBOT controversy emerged just days after Walliser addressed another viral incident involving Jennifer Lopez at the Golden Globes on January 11th. Accusations of rudeness from Lopez towards Walliser during their GlamBOT recording circulated online. A behind-the-scenes video showed Lopez, who was preparing for her role in Kiss of the Spider Woman, facing away from Walliser as he directed her, subsequently posing and walking away with a wave.
Walliser’s Defense of Jennifer Lopez
In a video posted to Instagram, Walliser defended Lopez, stating that he did not perceive her actions as rude in the moment. He explained that the red carpet was closing, and Lopez was focused on getting inside. He acknowledged that she was "down to business" and knew what she was doing. Walliser emphasized that the interaction "didn’t feel rude" to him, suggesting that the online narrative had amplified a moment that was simply a professional interaction under time pressure. He attributed the heightened reaction to factors like the late hour and the need to move through attendees efficiently.
The Stark Contrast in Professional Conduct
The timing of these two events—Walliser defending a celebrity against accusations of rudeness while simultaneously facing accusations of his own unprofessionalism—has drawn significant attention. The contrast between his measured explanation regarding Jennifer Lopez and the alleged dismissive and accusatory tone in his emails with Animashaun has been a focal point of online discussion. While Walliser chose to publicly address the Lopez incident, he did not respond to PEOPLE’s requests for comment regarding Animashaun’s allegations.
The Importance of Professionalism and Client Respect
The incident with Animashaun underscores the critical importance of professionalism and respectful communication in client interactions, regardless of the perceived budget or status of the potential client. The GlamBOT technology, often associated with high-profile events and celebrities, relies on its visual appeal and the excitement it generates. However, the foundation of any successful service business lies in treating every inquiry with courtesy and professionalism. Animashaun’s experience serves as a stark reminder that assumptions and condescending behavior can alienate potential clients and damage a brand’s reputation. The widespread sharing of her story indicates a public desire for accountability and a call for greater kindness and respect in all professional dealings. As the story continues to unfold, it highlights the power of social media in bringing such issues to light and fostering conversations about ethical business practices.
