Viral Email Exchange Exposes Classism in Luxury Wedding Services
Imagine planning your dream fusion wedding, where vibrant Indian saris blend seamlessly with colorful ankara prints, and traditional dhol beats harmonize with energetic Afrobeat rhythms. For Nigerian-American designer Yinka Animashaun, this beautiful vision became reality when she married Indian investor Nitin Sikka in a lavish Dallas celebration. However, her wedding preparations took an unexpected turn when she encountered dismissive behavior from a celebrity vendor that has now sparked a significant debate about classism and racial bias in luxury services.
The Shocking Email Exchange That Went Viral
In 2019, Yinka Animashaun reached out to Glambot director Cole Walliser with excitement about renting his famous robotic camera for her wedding festivities. The Glambot, renowned for creating stunning slow-motion footage at red carpet events, seemed like the perfect addition to capture her special moments. Her initial email radiated enthusiasm as she politely inquired about availability and rates for September 20th and 22nd.
Cole Walliser's response, however, immediately struck a different tone. Instead of providing straightforward information, he replied with what many have interpreted as condescension, stating: "It is not cheap, if you feel like something like this might be within your budget range, then I am happy to discuss further." This opening remark set the stage for an increasingly uncomfortable exchange that has now resurfaced across social media platforms.
Escalating Dismissiveness and Assumptions
Despite the discouraging initial response, Yinka maintained her gracious demeanor and confirmed that the service indeed fell within her budget. Walliser's subsequent reply escalated the situation dramatically as he wrote: "I don't see how you could be since I didn't say how much it was and could be between $10,000 and $1,000,000." The correspondence continued with Yinka patiently navigating his evasive responses until he finally quoted a figure of $300,000 with a 10% deposit requirement.
When Yinka responded that she would follow up by Monday, Walliser's final message revealed what many perceive as his underlying prejudice: "If you wanted to know how much it costs, you just needed to ask; you don't need to pretend you are going to book it." This statement, suggesting Yinka was merely pretending interest rather than genuinely considering the rental, has become the focal point of the controversy, highlighting assumptions about her financial capability based on seemingly superficial factors.
A Celebration Overshadowed by Microaggressions
Yinka Animashaun's wedding represented a beautiful cross-cultural union, meticulously planned across multiple days at Dallas's Westin Stonebriar to honor both Indian and Nigerian traditions. As a talented dog clothing designer based in the United States, she poured her creativity and resources into creating a memorable fusion celebration. The Glambot, which could have added cinematic magic to her wedding footage similar to what celebrities experience at major events, instead became a source of discomfort and discrimination.
This incident highlights the painful reality of microaggressions that many Black women encounter in luxury spaces, where their presence and purchasing power are frequently questioned or dismissed. Yinka's experience raises important questions about who society deems "deserving" of extravagance and how implicit biases can tarnish what should be joyful occasions.
Social Media Backlash and Public Reaction
As the email exchange circulated online, social media users expressed outrage at what they perceived as clear classism and racial bias. One X user pointed out the contradiction in the correspondence: "Her first question: 'Let me know your rates!' His last: 'you don't have to pretend' - weirdo." Another comment highlighted the racial dimension: "He assumed she couldn't afford it because she was Black. Promise if that PFP was a white blonde, no questions."
The public response included numerous expressions of sympathy for Yinka and frustration with Walliser's approach. Many questioned why he couldn't simply provide transparent pricing from the beginning, with one person asking: "What happened to just saying your rates and letting them decide?" Others noted the business opportunity lost due to prejudgment, commenting: "Imagine fumbling a wedding gig because you prejudged someone's bank account."
Apology and Ongoing Controversy
Following the viral spread of the emails, Cole Walliser posted an emotional video apology acknowledging his dismissive tone during the 2019 exchange. He stated: "The tone was dismissive and curt, that's not OK," while explaining that he was handling emails alone at the time. Walliser also addressed the racism allegations directly: "The hardest part is being labeled racist. I'm half Chinese... issues of identity deeply affected me." He concluded by taking responsibility for his words regardless of intent.
While some have acknowledged the vulnerability shown in his apology, many remain unconvinced, particularly given the timing—four years after the incident and only after public exposure. The controversy continues to spark discussions about accountability, the lasting impact of discriminatory behavior, and whether apologies can genuinely repair harm once it has been inflicted.
This incident serves as a powerful reminder that everyone deserves respect and dignity when seeking services, regardless of background or appearance. As wedding planning should focus on celebration rather than confrontation, Yinka Animashaun's experience highlights the work still needed to address bias in luxury industries and ensure all customers feel valued on their important occasions.
