People are only just learning who actually created the GlamBot as he speaks out after Jennifer Lopez Golden Globes backlash
Ellie Kemp
Featured Image Credit: Glambot Official/YouTube
The original GlamBot creator has identified himself and revealed the initial vision he had for the popular, if not oftentimes controversial, celebrity trend.
It doesn't matter how long you've been on social media for, at some point or another your TikTok algorithm has pushed you ultra-high-definition 'Glambot' videos of A-listers looking extra glamorous at various red carpet events.
Celebrities strike a series of poses in their finest outfits as the GlamBot sweeps in, slowing to capture every detail in all its high-gloss glory.
The viral trend has since been adopted by everyday people and widely parodied through meme videos.
Advert
Behind the camera on the red carpets is Cole Walliser, a Canadian filmmaker and music video director who has collaborated with the likes of Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus and P!nk.
He has become a familiar face on the awards circuit, regularly approaching stars and guiding them through the Glambot, while peppering them with words of encouragement.
With the GlamBot making headlines this week after people slammed Jennifer Lopez for her 'rude' interaction with its operator, people have just realized that Walliser isn't actually the creator of the device.
Yep, the brains behind the original GlamBot has recently spoken out about his creation.
Joseph Kahn took to X, formerly Twitter, to come forward as the bona fide GlamBotter.
The acclaimed music video director has previously worked with the likes of Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Eminem and Snoop Dogg.
On Tuesday (January 20), he reshared a 2016 tweet from E! Insider congratulating him on winning a Grammy for Taylor Swift's 'Bad Blood' music video.
That post referred to him as the 'director of E! Glambot.'
Quote-tweeting the post, Kahn appeared to set the record straight: "I keep hearing my name and Glambot. Yes I created it back in 2016 for E!
"The lighting, camera work, lens choices, and methodology are all my design."
He continued: "I ended up having to both operate and win a Grammy at the same time at the Grammys lol. It was too much. It's fun but I'm busy."
While Kahn didn't address any of the recent GlamBot controversies, he did reveal his thoughts on how the trend has evolved.
Responding to a decade-old GlamBot of former couple Will and Jada Smith leaning in to kiss, he said: "I never really intended it to just be a series of poses though.
"Even if it's a couple seconds long, tell a story. Let's get to know them."
— Joseph Kahn (@JosephKahn) January 20, 2026
I keep hearing my name and Glambot. Yes I created it back in 2016 for E! The lighting, camera work, lens choices, and methodology are all my design. I ended up having to both operate and win a Grammy at the same time at the Grammys lol. It was too much. It's fun but I'm busy. https://t.co/ex5h78LAEb
And in case you're wondering what he's up to nowadays, Kahn concluded his thread with an update.
"I don't shoot Glambot anymore, but I do shoot Super Bowl commercials. I've got two coming up this year. See you three weeks!"
The more you know!