Overview
- In a Jan. 27 Instagram video, Walliser called his 2019 email tone "dismissive and curt," took responsibility, and said being overwhelmed at the time was not an excuse.
- He addressed accusations of racism by acknowledging readers could reasonably perceive bias, noted he is half Chinese, and apologized to anyone who felt dismissed on red carpets.
- The emails shared by designer Yinka Animashaun show Walliser questioning her budget, citing a $10,000–$1,000,000 range, later quoting $300,000, and writing, "you don’t need to pretend you are going to book it."
- Animashaun criticized the video as insufficient, posting that a public statement does not replace a personal apology to the person involved.
- Public reaction has ranged from accusations of elitism and racial bias to praise for his accountability, extending a broader discussion about transparency in high‑end event pricing.