A brief red carpet interaction involving Jennifer Lopez sparked outsized debate online this month, but the man at the center of the moment says the criticism misses the mark.
During the 2026 Golden Globes at The Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles, Lopez stopped by the Glambot station run by filmmaker Cole Walliser, whose high-speed camera captures slow-motion clips of celebrities as they pose on the carpet.
A behind-the-scenes video later circulated showing Lopez stepping into position, executing her pose in a vintage Jean-Louis Scherrer gown, then exiting quickly with a wave. Some viewers interpreted the exchange—where Lopez appeared focused and minimally verbal—as dismissive.
Walliser, however, pushed back on that characterization in a video he shared on Instagram, explaining that the moment never felt disrespectful to him.
“I didn’t take it personally. It didn’t feel rude in that moment,” he said. According to Walliser, the timing and pace of the carpet mattered. “She was down to business. The carpet was closed. She was ready to go inside. She knew exactly what she was going to do.”
He also addressed the detail that fueled much of the backlash: Lopez facing away from him as he spoke. “It’s unfortunate that the position had her facing away from me,” Walliser explained. “I’m talking to her, she’s looking away, but she’s getting ready for the move. In the moment, I’m not thinking, ‘Turn around and look.’ I knew what she was doing.”
Zooming out, Walliser emphasized that red carpets are chaotic by design, not ideal settings for extended conversation. “It’s just so crazy,” he said, noting that celebrities are often being ushered from one obligation to the next. “Sometimes people don’t even know what they’re walking up to. And I’m not just talking about J.Lo—I’ve seen this with a ton of celebrities over the years.”
He added that Glambot appearances are optional, which shapes his perspective. “Nobody has to stop,” Walliser said. “So if someone does, I already appreciate it.”
Walliser ended his message by thanking viewers for supporting the Glambot project as it continues to grow. Lopez has not formally responded to the criticism, though she did leave heart emojis under the original Glambot clip.