LOS ANGELES / DALLAS—Celebrated director and “Glambot” creator Cole Walliser is at the center of a viral firestorm after a 2019 email exchange with bride-to-be Yinka Animashaun surfaced on X (formerly Twitter). The exchange, which many have labeled “elitist” and “racially biased,” shows Walliser repeatedly questioning Animashaun’s ability to afford his services for her cross-cultural wedding to Indian investor Nitin Sikka.
The row has not only tarnished Walliser’s reputation but has also turned a spotlight on the staggering scale of Indian and Nigerian luxury weddings, which are among the most expensive in the world.
1. The Email Trail: “It Is Not Cheap”
The controversy erupted when Animashaun shared a screen recording of the five-year-old emails. Despite her polite inquiries regarding rates for her multi-day celebration in Dallas, Walliser’s responses were consistently gatekeeping:
- The Snub: When Animashaun asked for rates, Walliser replied, “It is not cheap… if you feel like something like this might be within your budget range, then I am happy to discuss further.”
- The Defiance: When she confirmed it was within her budget, he retorted, “I don’t see how you could be [sure] since I didn’t say how much it was.”
- The Final Blow: After finally quoting $300,000 (approx. ₹2.5 crore), Walliser ended the thread by accusing her of “pretending” to book it just to find out the price.
2. The Context: Power Couples and “Big” Weddings
Critics were quick to point out that Walliser likely underestimated the financial power of the couple.
- The Bride: Yinka Animashaun is a successful entrepreneur and dog clothing designer.
- The Groom: Nitin Sikka is a prominent Indian investor.
- The Cultural Factor: Both Indian and Nigerian cultures are famous for “Big Weddings.”
- Nigerian Weddings: Often involve “spraying” (showering the couple with cash) and guest lists exceeding 500–1,000 people.
- Indian Weddings: A $50 billion industry in India alone; destination weddings in the US often cost between $200,000 and $1,000,000.
3. The Apology: “Dismissive and Curt”
On Tuesday, January 27, 2026, Walliser posted a video apology addressing the “racist” and “elitist” labels being thrown his way.
- The Excuse: He claimed that in 2019, he was “overwhelmed” and managing all communications without a team.
- The Race Angle: “I think the hardest part about all of this is being labeled racist,” Walliser said, citing his own background as half-Chinese. However, he admitted that his words could be perceived as biased given the frequency with which people of color are dismissed in luxury spaces.
Luxury Wedding Spending Statistics (2025-2026)
| Group / Category | Average High-End Wedding Spend (US) | Top Tech/Service Priority |
| Indian-American | $250,000 – $800,000 | Multi-day catering, cinematography. |
| Nigerian-American | $150,000 – $600,000 | Designer attire, high-end entertainment. |
| General US Luxury | $100,000+ | Unique venues, floral design. |
| Glambot Rental | $50,000 – $300,000 | Specialized robotic tech & crew. |
4. Internet Reaction: “Imagine Fumbling the Bag”
The internet remains divided on the apology. While some accept his “overwhelmed” excuse, most believe the tone was uniquely targeted at Animashaun.
“He assumed she couldn’t afford it because she was Black. I promise if that pfp was a white blonde woman, he wouldn’t have been asking questions,” read one top-voted comment.