Zayn Malik's Body Language Around Gigi Hadid Is 'Protective,' Expert Says
Zayn Malik's Body Language Around Gigi Hadid Is 'Protective,' Expert Says
No one is exempt from relationship struggles…not even celebrity power couples. Take it from Gigi Hadid, one of the most successful supermodels, like, ever, and and Zayn Malik, a boy-bander-turned-solo-artist who actually managed to make it big on his own. Their relationship’s been a rollercoaster since the two first met back in 2015. Each having recently split from their respective exes, they jumped right in. Next thing you know Gigi was featured in Zayn’s debut music video for “Pillow Talk,” the pair landed the cover of Vogue, and they gave fans all the PDA they’ve ever wanted on the famous steps at the Met Gala.
Since those days of being young and smitten though, the couple’s broken up four times, sometimes because of schedules, other times because of trust issues. Each time, the tabloids speculated about whether it was really over, but Gigi and Zayn always reunited. Most recently, the two made it official again in November 2019. In January, the couple was spotted celebrating Zayn’s birthday in New York, a month later, Gigi posted a photo of Zayn on her secondary Instagram account, and in April, Gigi announced she was pregnant with the couple’s first child.
Quarantining on her family’s farm, Gigi was able to keep her pregnancy relatively private only posting a few pics of her bump online. But when she gave birth in late September, the pair gave fans a rare glimpse into their private lives by announcing the arrival of their daughter with photos.
With the arrival of the newest member of their family, it seems Gigi and Zayn are going strong. At least, it seems that way online. To be extra sure, though, WH brought in Karen Donaldson, body language expert, to analyze the couple’s moves most recently and throughout the years.
When they're good, they're really good.
"There is absolutely no space in between Gigi and Zayn, their arms are intertwined and they are both leaning in which equals a high level of desire," Donaldson points out. "This happens when couples are consumed with one another."
The details: Gigi holding Zayn's face is a majorly intimate move. It indicates that her attention in that moment is on Zayn and only Zayn and proves that she wants his on her.
"It also looks as though they are sharing an open-mouthed kiss," which Donaldson explains is "a sign of high sexual energy and an intense sexual relationship."
Zayn takes pride in being there for Gigi when she needs him to be.
Now, it's safe to assume Gigi doesn't need a protector in a boyfriend—she can take care of herself. In fact, a man walking in front a woman is something Donaldson usually points out as a negative, but not in this case, she says.
"Body language is often read by assessing a cluster or grouping of body language cues," Donaldson explains. The cluster in this photo indicates Zayn is protective of Gigi because he's walking ahead of her, but (and it's a big "but") "the way Gigi leans into [Zayn's] shoulder, holds onto both his hand and arm, tells us that she’s personally feeling vulnerable and at the same time she feels safe with him taking the lead."
They're on the same page.
Once again, Zayn's walking ahead of Gigi but that's not what catches Donaldson's attention. Instead, she focuses on the way one's body language mirrors the other's. "Mirroring is very telling in relationships," she explains. "As Zayn and Gigi walk in sync, it tells us that they have a strongly established relationship and are in tune with each other."
They're doing just fine in the intimacy department.
"Holding hands and standing pelvis to pelvis, with their erogenous zones connected, is a strong statement of deep, physical attraction," says Donaldson. "Gigi is touching Zayn's lips, and the touching of someone’s lips is flirtatious and erotic," she adds.
Zayn, on the other hand, has his eyes zeroed in on Gigi and he's happily receiving her touch. Body language like this, Donaldson assures, is by no means casual.
Zayn is Gigi's comfort zone...
Gigi's relaxed posture demonstrates feelings of safety and comfort and because both hands are resting on Zayn's thigh, it's safe to assume that's because of Zayn.
In Zayn's case, "he's sitting in a protective mode, slightly ahead of Gigi, with his hand and arm on top of hers," Donaldson says.
...And it's been that way since early on in their relationship.
Once again, Gigi's got a hand on Zayn. This means she wants to be closer to him and considering they're front row at Fashion Week, she wants every onlooker to know. "The thigh touch tells us that they have a level of closeness that strongly established couples have and there is a healthy level of desire," Donaldson says.
It's not always a good thing.