Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3885: Vogue's 73 Questions with Selena Gomez - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Vogue continues its 73 Questions Series with Selena Gomez. Creatively, Vogue films these 'interviews' in a single shot (without cutaways) - and although we hear the interviewer, we never know his name or see his face - which allows us to, much more easily, put ourselves into his shoes. And although she was surely aware of the specific questions prior to the Q & A, a careful look at Selena's body language gives us a deeper glimpse into her psyche.

One question which causes Ms. Gomez to reflect deeply is asked at 3:19:

Interviewer: Where do you see yourself in - ten years?

Selena: [deep inhalation and exhalation] Hopefully happy.

As the interviewer asks the question, Selena takes a deep inhalation - then, as she is exhaling (also deeply), she looks down-to-her left. Her eyelids are partially closed during this time (3:22).

After she says, "Hopefully Happy" (3:23), Selena displays several extended blinks (longer duration) as her mouth transforms into a classic expression which is an amalgam of both regret and anger.

This final image, from 3:24, shows Selena with the primary emotion (expression) of anger. Notice, in particular, the thinning of her lips - with her mouth taking on a more horizontal orientation. There's also a partial closure of her eyelids with a tension in her lower lids. The region above her upper lip and below her nose is also taught.

Summary: Selena Gomez has significant regret for her past and anxiety for her future. She also briefly felt anger during this interview - which was probably directed at the person whom she feels is the cause of her regret.


See  also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3884: One Important Expression James Comey Displayed Often During His Testimony Before the House Intelligence Committee

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3882: Donald Trump to Angela Merkel During Press Conference, "At least we have something in common"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3880: Donald Trump Trying to Suppress his Anger the Day after Jeff Sessions' Recusal (and The Day Prior to Trump's Wire Tapping Accusations)

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3873: Brie Larson's Eyes, The Bachelor, and the Edge of Consciousness

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3861: Emma Stone, The Oscars and Sincerity

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3841: Tom Brady's and Roger Goodell's Handshake after Super Bowl LI

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3823: Nina Dobrev, Flyboarding, Laughter and a Rapport/Bonding Amplifier

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3771: Tom Hanks Reenacts Iconic Forrest Gump Scene


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3534: Taylor Swift's (Vogue's) Rapid-fire 73 Q & A Session - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Vogue just released a video of Taylor Swift giving an interview as she also takes her guest on a mini-tour of her Beverly Hills home. Ms. Swift is also featured on the cover of Vogue Magazine's May issue.

From a nonverbal perspective, Taylor Swift transmitted a preponderance of beta (and even hyper-beta) body language signals during this video interview. What follows are three different nonverbal displays which demonstrate a range from hyper-beta, alpha-beta hybrid - and alpha.

1:07

Early in the video, as she was answering questions regarding song writing and similar subjects, Taylor sat with her knees together - with her lower legs & feet spayed out - while her hands were positioned between her distal thighs, just superior to her knees. Not only is this a beta body language configuration - it's indeed Hyper-Beta, projecting particularly low emotional comfort. No professional, public figure, leader of any kind, etc., should ever sit in this manner in public or while on camera - unless it's in the context of acting.

1:50

While she was in her kitchen, Ms. Swift puts her right hand in her back pocket - thumb forward, with her elbow pointed out and backward.

Her other hand is pointing toward her MTV Award.

2:01

This thumbs-forward with one or both hand(s) in back pocket(s) configuration is a good example of an "Alpha-Beta Hybrid" nonverbal signal (of which there are many). Alpha-Beta Hybrids are excellent ways of not transmitting emotional tones which are either too strong (alpha or hyper alpha) or too weak (beta or hyper-beta).

9:03

Near the end of the video, as she ushers her guest out, Taylor displays a similar alpha-beta hybrid - however it's a bit more alpha with her thumb hooked in her back pocket.

7:16

When asked, "What's your favorite fashion trend of all time?" - Taylor answers, "High-waisted stuff" - as she grabs the waist of her garment with her thumbs and forefingers, with her elbows high and out laterally, she lets her waist snap back. This gesture projects alpha thought-emotions.

7:17

Swift then proceeds to lift her hands and arms high - a further alpha nonverbal display segueing immediately from the second before.






There are certainly times when one should use beta body language - e.g., when there's an ego you want to/should feed, or with many bosses, etc. There are other times when you want to definitely want to send out alpha signals - though be very careful not to do so too often or too extremely, lest it backfire, project arrogance and destroy rapport. Most people aren't good at recognizing these moments in real-time and extremely few know how to tweak these moments. Alpha-beta hybrids have benefits of both worlds and a good nonverbal repertoire allows one to leverage all of these - and nuance the moment rather than stumbling through blindfolded.

Taylor Swift would be surprised to know she is projecting significantly lower emotional comfort than she intended. Taylor Swift is of course human. We all are human. Not surprisingly, while many extremely talented musicians, actors and athletes - when they are on camera while performing the skill for which they are famous, they do very well - when being interviewed, appearing on talk shows, receiving awards, etc., - they're very much out of their element. Although their fans will label these social faux pas as "cute" or idiosyncrasies, others certainly will not. This emotional discomfort shows and it has ramifications.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3533: Johnny Depp and Amber Heard - Australian Biosecurity

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3530: Justin Trudeau, Quantum Computing and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3519: Vladimir Putin, The Panama Papers and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3516: Hillary Clinton, Finger Pointing, Fossil Fuels, Bernie Sanders and Lying

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3473: Adele's Tongue, Ellen DeGeneres and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3125: Vladimir Putin, Suppressed Smiling & Blushing

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3152: Hillary Clinton First Campaign Ad - "Getting Started"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3504: Raúl Castro Lifts Barack Obama's Arm at Press Conference


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