Jennifer Lopez has been defended by the director who shot her viral glambot moment from the 2026 Golden Globes red carpet, which was later termed “rude” after major online speculation.

Cole Walliser, who usually films the glambot series for E! News, reflected on the video seen around the world, saying that “it didn’t feel rude”.

“I didn’t take it personally, it didn’t feel rude in that moment,” he said in a recent TikTok message.

“One, she’s just down to business… she’s ready to go inside, she knew what she was going to do when she got into the position and I think it was just, like, unfortunate that the position was facing away from me,” the Canadian director said.

To recall, J.Lo sparked widespread retaliation from social media users after she was seen seemingly ignoring Walliser as he greeted her and directed her for the glambot.

One of the top comments on the post, published four days ago, read, “She didn’t even speak to him!!!!!”

While another pointed out, “And mind you this is HIS camera”.

Despite the criticism, Cole Walliser reiterated that Jennifer Lopez was “just down to business” as everyone was running “late” on the red carpet at the time.

My journey with Case No 9 crisscrossed continents: the US, UAE and Pakistan. Used to a diet of rom-coms, starry-eyed love and vamps, my mother was sceptical when my sister insisted that we watch the series.

The very first episode was horrifying as Seher was raped at her boss Kamran’s house. An unsettling watch with heartrending visuals which jumped off the screen. Nevertheless, my mother, sister, sister-in-law and I, our group of four, was riveted as the drama drew us into the world of Seher who sets out to seek justice.

Seher’s journey spanned from a devastated rape victim trembling in the courtroom in front of the wealthy, powerful and entitled Kamran to a courageous survivor who looked her rapist in the eye and left him squirming. Words matter – in the beginning Seher saw herself as a victim. Her brother goes to the extent of imprisoning her at home, her mother only concerned about what people will say.

But once Seher decides to speak out, she becomes a survivor who stands tall. Author of ‘After Silence: Rape and My Journey Back’, Nancy Raine says: “Words seemed to make it visible. But, speaking, even when it embarrassed me, also slowly freed me from the shame I felt. The more I struggled to speak, the less power the rape, and its aftermath, seemed to have over me”.

Rape survivors in Pakistan are often tormented by society. A woman in Degwal, Sargodha who was gang-raped by servants of the landlord, committed suicide by setting herself on fire due to the taunts of village women. Her suicide note said: “They told me that I was damaged and I should never again be allowed to walk in the streets of the village. They said I had brought dishonour on my family. I want to bring an end to my family’s misery as well as my own. They said that if I had any self-respect I should kill myself out of shame”.

Rape is the only crime where the survivor is cast in the role of aggressor and subjected to a battery of questions: the victim blaming is endless and soul destroying: what were you wearing? Why were you out so late? What did you do? It is precisely this kind of a ubiquitous regressive mindset that Case No 9 tackles with sensitivity. The drama takes on sexual assault, institutional apathy and the emotional burden of legal battles.

While the court system teems with unscrupulous lawyers and police as shown in Case No 9, it is rare to have an honest judge who delivers a landmark judgement. Contrast this with the behaviour of the Additional District and Sessions Judge Nizar Ali Khawaja on March 25, 2009 in Karachi. The 15-year-old gang rape survivor, Kainat Soomro, was asked by the judge to describe her rape in front of the accused who had reportedly threatened and bribed Somroo’s family to settle out of court.

In front of 80 spectators, the defence counsel and the judge asked a string of invasive questions regarding the rape. She was asked when certain items of clothing were removed, exactly what actions were done to her, and when. When Kainat replied that she couldn’t remember because she fainted, the judge berated her. This is what rape survivors have to contend with when they take their rapists to court.

The recent judgements of Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Ayesha Malik call for an end to gender stereotyping of rape survivors and focus on the crime. Justice Malik connected rape cases to constitutional rights to life and dignity. These judgements are reflected in laws like the Anti-Rape Investigation and Trial Act 2021 which are aimed at creating a fair legal framework for rape survivors.

Despite such progressive laws, in reality rape survivors and their families face issues due to misogynistic mindsets and institutional apathy. Case No 9 sets a precedent for courtroom etiquette and how rape cases should be handled from the initial stages of the police report and medical examination. The legal challenges, filing of the FIR, the vital importance of preserving evidence, engaging lawyers, court procedures and recent changes to the law have been highlighted.

Little nuances pepper the serial; for instance, when the principled SP leaves his bedroom to take action against Kamran for raping Seher, the camera focuses on the SP’s wife embracing and holding their young daughter close. No words are spoken. Then there is Ali Rehman Khan in the role of Seher’s ex-husband who backs her to the hilt and hopes to renew their relationship. He is told gently by Seher to go and live his life. Seher is her own hero and she does not need a messiah.

Case No 9 showcases the power of female camaraderie and the emancipated women who have Seher’s back: her lawyer Beenish, her friend Manisha, her best friend in Canada and Kamran’s wife Kiran who ultimately gave the crucial piece of evidence. While men have a bro code, it is refreshing to see women unite and move mountains with their dedication and conviction.

The legendary Saba Qamar, Faysal Qureshi, Amina Sheikh and Gohar Rasheed lived their roles, but the revelation was the excellence of the supporting cast. A taut and sensitive script by Shahzeb Khanzada stood out with no irritating fillers; each actor had an essential role in taking the story forward. Naveen Waqar and Junaid Khan were superb as Kamran’s friends Manisha and Rohan as was Rushna Khan as Kamran’s wife Kiran: all three were faced with moral dilemmas which they crested.

An interesting technique was the insertion of the Shahzeb Khanzada show within the series where Seher and Kamran face off. Banking on the show’s credibility, it lent authenticity to the facts as well as the alarming statistics and graphs on rape and sexual assault that were highlighted by Shahzeb. ‘When a woman says no, it means no’ and ‘bring up your boys better’ were two vital messages from him.

Our group of four watched Case No 9 in rapt silence: tea was sipped quietly, phones were muted, children shushed. Post every episode, there were serious conversations about what we had just witnessed on screen. My mother and many of my friends said they had learnt a lot from Case No 9 and they are not the only ones. The impact of this series will go a long way in disrupting the conspiracy of silence and misogynistic mindset surrounding sexual assault that has prevailed for far too long in Pakistan.

The writer is an author, journalist and change agent. She can be reached at: [email protected]

Disclaimer: The viewpoints expressed in this piece are the writer’s own and don’t necessarily reflect Geo.tv’s editorial policy.

Originally published in The News

Karley Scott Collins has publicly shut down speculation linking her romantically to Keith Urban, firmly denying reports that suggested the two were dating following Urban’s divorce from Nicole Kidman. 

The 26-year-old country singer addressed the rumours directly, calling them false and unnecessary as online chatter continued to spread.

Collins broke her silence on Sunday, January 18, using her Instagram Stories to respond to an article that claimed Urban, 58, had “moved in with GF Karley Scott Collins.” 

Sharing a screenshot of the headline, she wrote, “Yall, this is absolutely RIDICULOUS and untrue.” 

Her message left little room for interpretation, as she made it clear that the rumours connecting her to Urban are not based in fact.

The speculation gained momentum shortly after Urban and Kidman finalised their divorce earlier this month. According to court documents obtained by Us Weekly, the former couple officially ended their marriage on January 6 in a Nashville court after 19 years together. 

The paperwork states that neither Urban nor Kidman, both 58, will pay alimony or spousal support. 

Kidman will serve as the primary parent to their daughters, Sunday Rose, 17, and Faith Margaret, 15. Kidman also shares two adult children, Bella and Conor, with her ex-husband Tom Cruise.

Kidman initially filed for divorce in September 2025, citing “irreconcilable differences.” 

At the time, a source told Us Weekly that the couple had been separated quietly for some time and were taking space before finalising their decision. 

“[They] needed time to figure out if they were going to actually divorce,” the insider said, adding that Kidman still hoped the relationship could be repaired. 

“She had faith they could work it out,” the source shared, noting, “This wasn’t Nicole’s decision, and she is devastated.”

As rumours continue to swirl online, Collins’ direct response serves as a clear attempt to put an end to the narrative. 

By addressing the claims herself, the singer emphasized that the reports linking her to Urban are unfounded, urging fans and readers to separate speculation from reality.