Body language expert Judi James analysed Meghan Markle’s “cheeky” response after she was interrupted in an interview with Entertainment Tonight Canada. In an exclusive interview with the Express, Judi broke down the interview and explained how Meghan’s behaviour showed the “confident, campaigning, [and] feminist” royal she would one day become.
A video clip of Meghan Markle taken from 2016 just two months before her first date with Prince Harry has resurfaced, and given a glimpse into the Duchess’s “good-natured” yet “cheeky” personality.
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight Canada, Meghan Markle was interrupted by construction noises while in the middle of talking about her fashion shoot with the television channel. In a flirty and upbeat voice, Meghan says “holding for sound” while smiling into the camera, which makes the interviewer laugh.
At the time, Meghan was working with fashion retailer Reitmans on a collection and was also starring in the legal television drama Suits. She spoke with Entertainment Tonight to discuss fashion and how her style differentiated from her character Rachel Zane.
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Judi James is a leading television expert in both body language and social behaviour and analysed the clip for the Express. After watching Meghan’s interview, Judi said: “Often the most authentic glimpses of any performer’s personality come during the out-takes though. How do they cope when things go wrong? Does the camera-perfect smile fade or a look of irritation appear?”
Judi explained how the interruption showed a glimpse into Meghan’s personality. She said: “Anyone who has ever done an interview to camera will know that, no matter where you are filming, a drill will start up from somewhere nearby and spoil the shot. Meghan gets interrupted mid-flow by drilling here and her reaction does suggest good-natured sweetness.”
The body expert explained: “The moment she stops talking and turns to see what it is we can see her cheeks lift and go round in the first stage of an authentic smile. Her mouth then opens as the smile spreads and she shows her professionalism with a cheeky grin to camera.”
Meghan also speaks in the interview about finding love, and says she wishes for a relationship like the characters Ross and Rachel from the sitcom Friends. The Duchess says: “We can all have that love! Ross and Rachel.”
Judi also noted that this moment shows moments of “unashamedly cute, TV actress body language” when Meghan is being interviewed.
Judi described Meghan’s behaviour and added: “When [Meghan] raises her clenched fists in the air in excitement as she claims ‘we should all have that love’ as she talks about Ross and Rachel from Friends, or when she giggles, adopting a self-diminished pose with her elbows pulled into her torso.”
However, the body language expert also noted that the interview showed how Meghan would become the self-assertive royal she is today. Judi said: “We can glimpse a more confident air of authority and purpose.”
The interview continues, and Meghan speaks about working on projects, and says: “I love taking risks, I love being part of a new chapter and a new beginning.”
Judi said: “The line ‘I love taking risks’ is delivered with a very direct and level eye contact as she holds her hands up, palms outward and fingers splayed, The body expert then said: “When [Meghan] says ‘Anything I get involved with I get very invested in’ she raises one eyebrow in a gesture of meaningful authority and then raises her chin to show confidence.”
Entertainment Today also shows an interview of Meghan on the red carpet, speaking about how to keep comfortable while wearing heels all day.
After watching Meghan’s interview, Judi added: “It’s so interesting to see the confident, campaigning, feminist Meghan that we see currently, subtly emerging from the Suits actress version of Meghan here, who is still aligning with the celebrity market with some cute giggling, flirting and a delivering lines like ‘I’ve been in heels since the womb.’”
