The relationship between celebrities and the public has always been parasocial. We think we know someone we’ve never met just because we see them in a movie, or we follow them on Instagram. But lately, these relationships have become disturbingly procedural. The internet convinces you that if you watch a celebrity closely, you’ll learn everything you need to know about them. Did they smile enough? Did they make eye contact? Did they pass the vibe check in under ten seconds? These days, especially thanks to the Glambot, we’ve apparently decided that a split-second red-carpet interaction is all it takes to determine whether a celebrity is a nice person or a horrible human being.
The “Glambot” is a photobooth that has become popular in award show settings. Its robotic high-speed camera shoots in slow motion and was created by Joseph Kahn to enhance the red carpet coverage experience, as it emphasises celebs’ outfits, makeup, and overall look. The poses celebs choose to do while being captured for the Glambot have become extremely viral in recent years. Some are being crowned as “The Worst” or “The Best” Glambot moments. While people love to make fun of the face Taylor Swift or Joey King pulled while trying the Glambot out, this was not the only reason why this photoshoot caused big turmoil among the public.