Gwyneth Paltrow looked 'dismissive' and 'in pain' during ski accident trial, body language expert claims
PARK CITY, UTAH: Gwyneth Paltrow was in the Third District Court in Park City, Utah, for the second day of her eight-day trial in connection with a skiing accident in 2016. Paltrow has been accused of "slamming" into a retired optometrist at Utah's Deer Valley Resort. In January 2019, Dr Terry Sanderson, 76, filed a lawsuit against Paltrow, claiming she hit him from behind and skied down Bandana Mountain.
According to body language expert Judi James, who examined Paltrow's behavior, the Hollywood actress entered court "like a school teacher arriving to start lessons," Daily Mail reported.
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'Paltrow’s body language seems to fluctuate'
Speaking about what she observed, James said, "Paltrow’s body language seems to fluctuate between two extremes: with her brows raised in the highest or arches and her chin lifted she can appear superior and slightly dismissive."
James continued, "As she takes her seat she wriggles into her chair and crosses her legs with an air of deliberation. Smoothing and straightening her clothing and her hair she pulls her jumper down over her torso as though trying to establish a sense of calm order and control. As the prosecutor is speaking there is even what looks like a gentle tapping of her fingers to suggest impatience."
While highlighting the non-verbal cues that the actress showed, James said, "But then there are non-verbal cues that look designed to suggest vulnerability and a desire to self-protect or hide. The roll-neck of her jumper is not rolled over, so it sticks up like a funnel with her head poking out the top," adding, "At one point as they muster for a break she drops her head dramatically in a way that almost implies tears or a partial collapse, turning in her chair and rubbing her fingers over the neck of her water bottle."
James pointed out that at one point, Paltrow gives the judge an "oddly nervous-looking girlish giggle at the judge at one point, then as she leaves the courtroom she seems to bolt out, covering her face with a notebook or folder as though not aware she has not been on courtroom cameras throughout and suddenly suffering a desire to hide."
James continued to point out more cues, right from when Paltrow entered the court. "Paltrow arrived at the courthouse looking like someone suffering in almost physical pain. Her long thick coat was wrapped double around her torso and one arm wrapped just as tightly around her waist," James said.
James noted that Paltrow gave off "signals of raised confidence and authority" once inside. "Paltrow breezed into the courtroom like a schoolteacher arriving to start lessons. Smoothing and flicking her hair she ignored the man who gallantly pulled her seat out for her and threw her file down onto the desk. Her brows were raised in a gesture of mild distain and she performed several pursing gestures of her lips to add to this air of authority. She looked keen to get this dealt with," James noted.
Why is Gwyneth Paltrow being sued?
Sanderson filed a lawsuit against Paltrow in 2019 alleging that she collided with him while skiing down a mountain, resulting in the optometrist sustaining broken ribs and a concussion. He added that the instructor made up a false report to put him in the wrong and absolve Paltrow of responsibility.