Cole Walliser is ready to clear the air.
The man behind the iconic E! Glambot is speaking out after a series of “dismissive” emails from resurfaced, sparking a wave of backlash across TikTok and X. In a candid two-minute video shared to Instagram on Tuesday, Jan. , the -year-old director addressed the “unprofessional” tone of his past communications and the allegations that have followed.
“I want to talk about some emails that I sent years ago that resurfaced recently,” Walliser began. “The tone in these emails is dismissive and curt, and that is not OK.”
The controversy stems from an interaction with Yinka Animashaun, who reached out to Walliser in to book the Glambot for her wedding. In an interview with People, Animashaun shared that the exchange left her feeling “hurt” and “shocked.”
“As a Black woman, I am no stranger to people making assumptions about who I am or what I am capable of, but I think his responses to me were exceptionally unprofessional and unkind,” Animashaun told People.
Walliser, who has become a red carpet staple for his high-energy interactions with A-listers, explained that at the time of the emails, he was running a one-man show. He noted that he was “overwhelmed” while editing every video and answering every inquiry personally.
“That is not an excuse,” he admitted. “Everything lands on me.”
The director also addressed the most painful part of the viral discourse: being labeled a “racist.” Walliser, who is half-Chinese, opened up about his own experiences with “identity, race and belonging.”
“I would never intend to inflict that onto anybody else,” he said, acknowledging why the emails caused such pain. “I do understand that reading these emails, people could be upset and assume bias. Especially, given the frequency with which people of color experience being dismissed.”
This isn’t the first time Walliser has been in the headlines this month. Fans recently took to social media to defend him after a “business-like” interaction with Jennifer Lopez at the Golden Globes went viral.
While viewers claimed the “On the Floor” singer, , was rude to Walliser, he quickly jumped to her defense. “I didn’t take it personally. It didn’t feel rude in that moment,” he previously stated, noting that J.Lo was simply “down to business” as the carpet was closing.
However, the J.Lo moment seemed to open a floodgate of concerns from others who claimed they felt “mistreated” during the fast-paced environment of the Glambot booth.
“Live events move really fast and I would never want someone to come see me and leave feeling that way,” Walliser said in his apology video. “I do understand that it could happen and it did happen. For that, I am sorry.”
The response to Walliser’s transparency has been largely positive. His comments section was quickly filled with supportive messages from E! red carpet reporters and longtime fans who appreciated his accountability.
Closing out his statement, Walliser promised to use the moment as a catalyst for change. “I always want to treat everyone with respect they deserve, but clearly, more could be done,” he said. “I can do better.”
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