After all the internet drama that went down between Carrie Ann Inaba and Val Chmerkovskiy following her critique of Jenna Johnson during the October 13 episode of Dancing With the Stars, fans expect tension in the ballroom this week. However! Between Val’s absence and the fact that it was Dedication Week, the vibe was strangely chill...even between Carrie Ann and Jenna. Or, at least, so it seemed.
The two were even spotted sharing an off-camera hug following the October 20 episode, but some cynical fans wondered whether the moment was more staged than sincere. Body language expert Inbaal Honigman was asked by Casino.org to investigate, and she concluded that the hug was “warm and genuine” and “not just a fake show of unity for the cameras.”
Honigman explained, “Both ladies place their hands, open and curved, on each other’s backs. If they didn’t want the hug to be warm and genuine, their hands would have been flat, tense, and cold. Open hands are a mark of sharing and vulnerability, and the fact that the hands are lightly curved reveals that they’re not tense.”
According to her, both Carrie Ann and Jenna looked relaxed and at ease, “showing that this hug is totally natural and spontaneous.” Plus, she noted how their bodies met in several spots. “Jenna’s chin is on Carrie Ann’s bare shoulder, their cheeks meet, and their hearts are pressed close together,” she pointed out. “People who dislike each other would generally avoid any contact, especially around bare skin, and would certainly won’t embrace in such a full and warm way.”
Body language expert Darren Stanton also noted a “major shift” between Carrie Ann and Jenna this week. Speaking on behalf of Covers, Stanton said of Carrie Ann, “Her tone is noticeably softer, volume more measured, and she maintains much stronger eye contact with the pair. Rather than focusing on their weaknesses, there’s a real sense of warmth and encouragement, suggesting she’s connecting with them on a deeper level.”
He also mentioned that “both Harry and Jenna’s eyes appear noticeably brighter” as they received their feedback this week, “whereas previously they seemed more subdued and frequently looked down, showing an increased level of confidence.”
Will Carrie Ann and Val also hug it out when he returns to the ballroom next week? I’m thinking...not. But we shall see!