Expert Spots ‘Subdued’ Behavior Between Blake Lively & Anna Kendrick

Rumored tension between Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick seemed evident during the premiere of their new film, “Another Simple Favor,” at the SXSW Film Festival in Austin, Texas, according to a body language expert.

Despite attending the event together, the co-stars notably avoided posing for photographs alone, choosing instead to stand alongside director Paul Feig and other cast members.

Inside the theater, Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick later appeared together on stage but kept interaction minimal.

Body language expert Judi James exclusively analyzed the event for Daily Mail, suggesting Feig “seems to have been enlisted as a handy ‘air bag’ buffer between them.”

James further elaborated on the actresses’ demeanor, observing, “Their ‘red carpet’ smiles do look rather tempered or subdued here, Blake’s lips are closed while Anna’s smile lacks the traits of real joy, like rounded cheeks or eye crinkling.”

Lively, currently embroiled in a legal dispute with her “It Ends With Us” co-star and director Justin Baldoni, is reportedly contributing to Kendrick’s frustration due to concerns that the ongoing drama is overshadowing their own project.

“Blake is performing an eye-smile, but Anna’s ‘smile’ doesn’t seem to have reached her eyes,” Judi added. She further noted Blake’s relatively relaxed posture: “Blake’s body pose looks relaxed and has amicable signals, with the way her pelvis is partly turned in towards the group and the way her legs are crossed inward towards the group too.”

In contrast, James described Kendrick as appearing less comfortable, noting her stance on the red carpet: “Anna looks less assured, with her right hand hanging in front of her torso in a partial barrier gesture.”

During an interview shared by Variety, Blake enthusiastically discussed filming in Capri, Italy. Anna, meanwhile, appeared detached, glancing at her co-star only briefly throughout Lively’s remarks.

Blake Lively also appeared to show subtle signs of anxiety before eventually regaining her confidence at the premiere of her new film.

Initially hesitant about director Feig’s choice of filming location, Lively admitted during an interview, “I didn’t understand why it needed to be Capri,” referencing her confusion about relocating the setting from its original American location. Eventually, however, she had a change of heart, adding enthusiastically, “Now, I want to live there. I love it so much.”

Despite warming to the Mediterranean location, Blake exhibited nervousness during her solo red-carpet appearance. James said, “Blake takes direction from the press to pose, flapping her skirt in an awkward gesture and looking over her shoulder to cue.”

James added that Lively’s smiles were intermittently punctuated by subtle tension. “Her smile for the cameras looks red carpet perfect, but in between smiles there seems to be some pursing of the lips to hint at possible anxiety,” James explained. “Even when smiling, there seems to be some pursing of the lips to hint at possible anxiety.”

However, once Lively adjusted her appearance by dramatically changing her outfit, her demeanor quickly shifted.

“Her movements and poses have a sense of purpose and confidence,” James observed, noting Lively’s strategic gestures. “She raises one hand to her head to touch her hair in a directional, framing gesture to confidently draw attention to her face.”

James described this moment as Lively finding her “charging point,” highlighting how her confidence visibly increased: “Her smile widens and she adopts the ultimate pose of confidence by placing both hands on her hips.”

Yet, James detected lingering signs of internal unease. “In between smiles, there seems to be some pursing of the lips to hint at possible anxiety,” she said. “Even Blake’s friendly wave and her splayed shoulders are incongruent performed rituals in terms of suggesting she’s enjoying her red-carpet experience.”

Lively also experienced an awkward encounter with her co-star Michele Morrone.

In footage captured at the event, Lively briefly looked down to adjust her dress before glancing towards Morrone and making a comment while laughing. Expert lip reader Nicola Hickling exclusively revealed that Lively said, “Oh sorry.”

Morrone appeared visibly nervous, quickly averting his gaze and making a rapid hand gesture before self-consciously adjusting his hair. Body language expert Judi James provided further insight into the exchange, noting Blake’s posture initially communicated confidence:

“Blake has her right hand on her hip in another pose of supreme confidence, but she suddenly lifts it to the left side of her strapless dress to pull it up into place, adding a checking pat to the bodice as she does so. She seems to make a smiling comment to Morrone as she performs the pat and he responds with a raised hand and finger of reassurance or ‘that’s ok’ as she grins at him.”

However, subtle cues suggested both actors experienced discomfort. “They then smile at the camera,” James continued. “But the way Morrone’s arm swings at his side before his hand rises to touch his head suggests a moment of awkwardness, as does the way Blake crosses her legs in a self-diminishing pose as her hand taps on her hip again.”

In a subsequent pose, Morrone placed his arm around Lively’s waist.

Yet James observed his cautious positioning, explaining, “Morrone seems to use the ‘gentleman’s hand’ gesture, which means no actual holding. His hand at Blake’s waist has the fingers curled inward, so there is no clutching and little touch if any at all.”

Neither Lively, Morrone, nor Kendrick have commented publicly on the incident.