Emily Ratajkowski & Sebastian Body Language
Body language can reveal many truths about relationships - but only if you know how to read it. In Celebrity Couples: Decoded, an expert interprets A-listers' interactions to shed light on their IRL dynamic.
On Friday, Feb. 23, 26-year-old model Emily Ratajkowski married producer Sebastian Bear-McClard, who's in this late 30s, at City Hall in New York City. Because the duo was first spotted together only a few weeks ago, the news surprised the masses.
Although little is known about the couple and what provoked them to DTR so quickly, the newlyweds' interactions provide some clues about their connection, according to North Carolina-based body-language expert Blanca Cobb. Here's her take based on the few photos they've appeared in:
1. Sebastian tugs at Emily's turtleneck.
"You typically touch people you want to be closer to, but I'm not getting the impression she wanted to be touched at that moment," Cobb says, noting an absence of eye contact. "You look in the direction where you want to go."
That said, Sebastian is tugging at Emily's turtleneck, exposing the vulnerable area - and Emily doesn't look mad about it. "She has her head back, but there's no tension in her fingers around the wine glass. She'd tense up if she was uncomfortable, anxious, or uncertain." Instead, Emily permits Sebastian to get close to the area. "It indicates some level or trust," Cobb says.
2. Sebastian kisses Emily.
"Whoa, this kiss is a miss," Cobb says, pointing out that Emily and Sebastian's eyes are open - the opposite of what people tend to do when they lock lips. "The way she's leaning back suggests she wasn't ready or didn't want to be kissed, since you typically move toward someone you want to be closer to. At this moment, they're not in sync - it looks like she wasn't feeling it."
Although Sebastian is initiating this embrace by leaning into Emily and enveloping her with his arms, Cobb notes the way he holds his left hand with his right instead of pressing his palms flush against Emily's back. "When you touch someone you're excited and passionate about, you take up as much skin area as you can," Cobb says.
3. Sebastian goes in for a cheek kiss.
Emily's stoic expression leads Cobb to believe the actress wasn't exactly excited to be kissed when this photo was taken - and this strikes her as odd. "In the beginning stages of a relationship, feelings tend to be most intense - with endorphins flowing, chemistry, and passion," Cobb says. "I'm not seeing any pleasure in her face, even a hint of a smile or brightness in her eyes to suggest she's enjoying it."
As for Sebastian, who initiates this PDA by puckering up and leaning in: "It's hard to smile and kiss at the same time, so I see no indication that he's not enjoying the kiss," Cobb says, also noting the way he cups her hand to envelop it entirely - a clear sign he wants to be close to her.