Conan O'Brien had Ashton Kutcher as a guest on his show last night - and among other things Kutcher spoke about the name of his daughter (Wyatt) and possible names for their unborn son (due date in the next 2-3 weeks). What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis of two related moments.
While Kutcher did not say the name that he and Mila Kunis have chosen - Conan did ask him about it - and at 0:37, Just after Kutcher says, "... so I think we have a name", he places his right index finger over his mouth (lips) as he also looks away from Conan (image above). In this moment he is quite literally shushing himself.
Conan then says, "Was there a name - that you came up with - but it got nixed? ... that you th, think is cool?"
Kutcher responds, "Yeah, I had, I - there was a rallying cry - from a collective that believed in the name 'Hawkeye'."
At the beginning of this response Ashton Kutcher, stutters, while placing the ends of his fingers over (in front of) his mouth (during 0:41 - 0:43). This is another related body language tell signaling a "hesitancy to disclose".
Ashton Kutcher is an alpha male - and he's certainly confident in most of his actions and words. But he's not overly confident - he's not arrogant. Thus while most of the time his nonverbal signals project emotional comfort, assertiveness and other alpha qualities - speaking with fingers or hands in front of (or touching) one's mouth is a lower confidence illustrator (if touching the mouth, these gestures then become classified as MAPs [Manipulators, Adaptors, Pacifiers]).
Such a variety behavior is a good example of a "real-world", everyday mix. The fact that he (or anyone), with some frequency, displays a bit of beta behavior (yet primarily alpha) is also sincere and helps to make Kutcher likable, approachable - and from a Hollywood standpoint - more bankable.
See also:
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3557: How Megyn Kelly really feels regarding Bill O'Reilly
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3755: Donald Trump, Empathy and Facial Expressions
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3753: Donald Trump in The White House
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3751: Barack Obama and Donald Trump Meet at the White House
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3721: The 2nd Presidential Debate - Donald Trump v. Hillary Clinton - The Handshake That Wasn't
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3691: Natalie Portman's Emotional Tell
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3662: Weverton Dives, Neymar Kicks and Brazil Wins Gold
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3611: Salma Hayek, Danny Trejo and a Tattoo - Body Language
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