Gwyneth Paltrow was ‘anxious’, ‘wary’ and ‘tense’ in court, body language expert claims
Gwyneth Paltrow was “tense” and anxious on the stand Friday, a body language expert said after discussing the actress’ performance at her trial over a ski slope accident.
Paltrow, 50, claims Terry Sanderson, a 76-year-old retired ophthalmologist, ran her over.
Sanderson claims Paltrow struck her, causing broken ribs and brain damage, and is seeking $300,000 in damages.
The trial in Park City, Utah, began Tuesday and is expected to last through the end of next week.
On Monday, the court will hear Paltrow’s two children with her ex-husband, Coldplay’s Chris Martin: Apple and Moses. Her husband, Brad Falchuk, will also testify. All three were skiing with Paltrow when the accident occurred in February 2016.
Here, body language expert Judi James breaks down Paltrow’s demeanor.
‘Wary’ glances around the courtroom
James told DailyMail.com that the Goop founder chose her outfit carefully to avoid being flashy.
Gwyneth Paltrow returned to court in Utah on Friday for the fourth day of her ski accident trial.
Despite the blizzard conditions in Park City, the A-lister arrived wearing a pair of $248 mirrored Rayban aviator sunglasses that she paired with a navy longcoat, navy dress, and a black pair of Celine boots. of $1,200.
“Gwyneth arrived in the courtroom dressed in her most demure and dour outfit yet: a mid-length black dress with heavy black boots,” James noted.
He said she looked a little nervous when she walked onto the court.
“Navigating to his seat, he cast a few wary glances around the room, acknowledging his audience with a brief eye scan and what appeared to be the faintest of smiles,” he said.
Get to work
James said Paltrow was initially unsure of herself, but as she took a seat next to her lawyers she became visibly more relaxed and confident.
Her lower lip seemed to quiver or pucker slightly at one point, in a gesture that seemed anxious, but once she was seated, and after smoothing her now softly wavy hair much faster than usual, she held out her folder. in front of her, licking the tip of her finger to turn the pages in a professional and authoritative manner,” James said.
A look of authority
The body language analyst said Paltrow’s distinctive reading glasses gave her an air of power and command.
“Sometimes that look of almost directorial authority would carry over to the dais as she would sit and look over a pair of very large glasses as she listened,” James said.
Pride in her married name
James noted that Paltrow was visibly proud to give the court her full married name.
“When Paltrow was asked to say her name, she flashed an almost cheeky smile, apparently enjoying the friendlier engagement.”
Gwyneth Paltrow took the witness stand in Utah court on Friday for the fourth day of her ski accident trial.
James said she was “swaying in her seat, more like a schoolgirl than a teacher now as she recited what she described as her ‘legal’ name, putting a lot of lip emphasis on the word ‘Falchuk’.”
The positive energy continued for the next few minutes, James said.
She seemed positively delighted when the judge asked if he could call her Miss Paltrow, pushing down with her hands to bounce her body up and down in her seat and saying ‘sure’ with a dismissive but good-natured wave of her right hand. James said.
The test voltage shows
“There were times when the trial seemed to be taking its toll,” James said.
“When he was in listening mode, his eyes sometimes looked tired and his blinking was rapid, suggesting tension.
“She licked her lips to add that air of inner tension, though when she licked them with a frown after she’d spoken to testify, it seemed more like a decisive ritual.”
‘She looks like a victim’
James said that, towards the end of her testimony, Paltrow broadcast the moment of the collision and appeared to show, in her body language, that she felt she was the victim.
Paltrow said she initially believed the collision might be a sexual assault, as she suddenly realized there was a man behind her, his legs between hers.
Sanderson alleges that he was left with four broken ribs and permanent brain damage. Paltrow denies running into her retiree and countersued, saying he was the one who dodged into her, leaving her angry and hurt.
Paltrow, who was one of the first to accuse Harvey Weinstein of sexual harassment, said she quickly realized it wasn’t a sexual assault, but rather someone bumping into her.
“Describing what she says she thought was ‘kind of kinky’ when the collision occurred, Paltrow began to resemble the victim, frowning and holding up both hands palms in and fingers spread,” James said.
“She was imitating or acting out moments of the collision as she spoke.
“She faked her own initial confusion, widened her eyes and shook her head from side to side.”