Signs of an early power struggle have emerged between one Strictly Come Dancing couple as the show gets underway with first elimination
All signs point to tension between one Strictly Come Dancing couple, says a body language expert. The show has entered its third week and said goodbye to the first eliminated contestant last Sunday (5 October), but already, there may be a power-struggle going on.
According to expert Judi James, the body language between late arrival Amber Davies and pro dancer Nikita Kuzmin, the two are not getting along as swimmingly as they could be.
“These two showed signs of an early potential rift or power-struggle,” Judi said. “Amber’s body language in front of the judges and Claudia comprised of the self-diminishing rituals of an acutely nervous vulnerability. She scrunched her shoulders, placed her fingers in front of her lips and performed a modest, sweet smile.”
Judi added that this was very different from how she was in rehearsals: “In rehearsals we saw her fizzing with energy and ideas.” She continued to point out, though, that Amber’s partner, Nikita, was not so happy. “We also heard Nikita say ‘She’s doing really well’ with a rising intonation that suggests a question rather than a statement.
“His ‘She’s trying to run before she can walk’ hinted at a small power struggle and Nikita was seen with one hand up, ‘pinching’ his forehead in a gesture of possible exasperation.”
Judi explained that some of the behaviour from Amber indicated “over confidence”, which may have rubbed Nikita up the wrong way.
“It was Amber initiating the high five after their dance, with that small gesture suggesting a degree of over-confidence as it’s usually the celebrity waiting nervously to be reassured and praised and the pro dancer instigating the rituals of success.”
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In turn, Nikita may not have been as supportive as he could have been when the judges were giving their feedback. “And when Amber received constructive criticism from the judges, it was Nikita nodding in emphatic agreement rather than standing up for his partner.
“Amber’s telling ‘It was…interesting’ comment about training seemed to give a hint of some dramas behind the scenes and this prompted Nikita to turn his head to perform a non-verbal ‘aside’ to the audience, with exaggerated face-pulling that included a jutting bottom lip in the mime of a sulk. He told Amber in front of the judges ‘let’s walk before you run’ and her smile dropped like a brick.
“On the balcony after the results there were at least two ‘tells’ of a potential battle. Nikita stood with his hand on his hip between them in a barrier and he placed his hands onto Ross’s shoulders rather than hugging or touching Amber. She seemed very loudly comfortable with her ‘Where do we start?’ criticism of Nikita’s singing.”
Like many, Judi thinks the couple could win the show. But this doesn’t mean they will have a good time together. “Their Strictly experience will probably work best if Amber becomes human blotting paper, soaking up Nikita’s coaching rather than pushing forward.”
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