Glambot Director Cole Walliser Offers a Glimpse Inside His 2025 Oscars

Few A-listers haven’t stopped for Walliser’s Glambot. Almost a decade in, Walliser has become a pro at capturing celebs, though he admits working the Oscars is always an extra challenge. “People don’t really realize how chaotic it is,” says Walliser. “People are screaming, there’s security everywhere. It’s a chaotic, frenetic environment.” Luckily, he has a whole crew behind him to make the Glambot magic happen. (And happen quickly; clips are posted and uploaded to E! in real time.) “There’s an editing suite, lighting crew. people are running hard drives; there’s a whole team to make it all happen,” he says.

This awards season, some of Walliser’s favorite Glambot moments included videos with Wicked stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, both of whom always nail the theatricality that a Glambot requires. “I always love a spin,” he says. “[An outfit] that moves and flows is always good. More movement is always better, but it can be challenging to find the camera when you’re spinning, because everything is moving so fast,” says Walliser. Another key trick, he says, is for stars to feel comfortable and at ease while filming it. “If you are feeling good, you will end up looking good on camera,” he says. “Half of my job is to make them feel relaxed and comfortable.”

Walliser himself, meanwhile, has become a celebrity in his own right. While his main duty on Oscars night is to make the nominees look and feel their best, the director is always sure to look polished and red carpet-ready, too. He has even started working with stylists. “I’m developing how I want to represent myself, and what my style is,” says Walliser. “For the Oscars, I like to have fun with my outfits—either bright colors or interesting cuts. I’m okay with pushing the boundaries.” Another signature element of his look, is his epic curls. “Lately I’ve been experimenting with how I’m drying [my hair], and how I’m setting the curls,” he says. (Whatever he’s doing, it’s working.)