Cole Walliser Absent from 2026 Grammys: What Happened After His Apology for the Email Controversy?
Cole Walliser at the 2023 Grammys.
Credit:
ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty
### Cole Walliser Not Present at 2026 Grammys
Cole Walliser, the acclaimed director behind the GlamBOT, was absent from the 2026 Grammy Awards, a notable departure from his usual role during the event.
Despite the bustling red carpet filled with celebrities poised for their slo-mo close-ups, Walliser was missing from music’s biggest night. His absence follows several recent controversies that placed him in the spotlight.
In a clip shared by E! on February 1, a woman was seen directing Bad Bunny for his photo opportunity, a task typically overseen by Walliser. This shift in responsibility raised eyebrows among fans, as the director is known for his viral interactions with celebrities, including a memorable moment with Jennifer Lopez at the 2025 Golden Globes. PEOPLE confirmed Walliser’s absence on the carpet, as the event unfolded without him.
Attempts to reach Walliser’s representative did not yield immediate responses.
On January 18, Walliser addressed online claims regarding an incident with Lopez, which had gone viral after clips of her walking away appeared on social media. He clarified, “I didn’t take it personally. It didn’t feel rude in that moment… She knew what she was gonna do. She got into the position.”
Cole Walliser at the 2025 Grammys.
Gilbert Flores/Billboard via Getty
Walliser elaborated that red carpet events often contribute to confusion among attendees. “Sometimes they don’t know what they’re walking up to… It’s just so crazy,” he said. He reassured fans that, throughout his time in the industry, he has never felt mistreated by any celebrity.
In a recent turn of events, Walliser issued an apology for a resurfaced email exchange from 2019 with Yinka Animashaun, who expressed frustration over his doubts regarding her ability to afford GlamBOT services. Animashaun described feeling “hurt” and “angry” by the interaction. Walliser has not yet responded to requests for comment about this incident.
On January 27, he shared an apology video on Instagram, taking responsibility for his tone and the circumstances surrounding the email exchange. “In 2019, I didn’t have a team around me. It was just myself… But that is not an excuse. Everything lands on me,” he stated.
Walliser also spoke to the emotional impact of being labeled racist in light of the exchange. “I’m half Chinese… I would never intend to inflict that onto anybody else,” he reflected.
He acknowledged that his words may have been perceived as biased, especially given the dismissive experiences often faced by people of color. He stated, “I take responsibility for my words, regardless of what my intent was.”
The 2026 Grammy Awards continue to be broadcast live from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
