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Body Language Expert Examines Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s Expressions In Court
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Body Language Expert Examines Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s Expressions In Court

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The body says a lot about people. The clothing folks wear, the way they move, the way they talk, they way they gesticulate, their immediate reactions to things—all of this and more reflect one’s own state of mind, how they feel, what they think, their opinions, values, and everything around and in between.

Body language expert Janine Drive exemplifies this in her now-viral analysis of Amber Heard’s and Johnny Depp’s court testimonies, specifically how they expressed themselves and reacted throughout the Depp Vs. Heard case.

More Info: CourtTV Part 1 | Court TV Part 2

The body says a lot about a person, and body language expert Janine Drive broke down the nuances of how Johnny Depp and Amber Heard expressed themselves in the courtroom

Image credits: CourtTV

So, author and body language expert Janine Driver broke down the subtle nuances of how Johnny Depp and Amber Heard expressed themselves and reacted to various things in the courtroom.

While Drive was present in the courtroom for that trial, she also went on CourtTV to elaborate on specific moments during the hearing.

If you’re not aware, Depp and Heard are currently in a legal battle against each other, and you can get the cliff-notes on the details in another Bored Panda article here and see people’s reactions here.

One of the key points Drive focused on was how Heard “leaked” contempt through her facial expressions

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Image credits: CourtTV

Image credits: CourtTV

Many of Drive’s insights focused on Amber Heard, particularly on when she was listening to one of the recordings she made with Depp. After seeing the clip, Drive summarized her facial language as contempt and moral superiority.

“It’s on the left side of her face, right there. It’s moral superiority. And it’s out of place, especially for a battered woman. I work with battered women. […] And I have to tell you, battered women or women who are domestic violence survivors—they’re not leaking contempt. That’s moral superiority.”

Drive elaborated that domestic violence survivors express sadness and fear, and she wasn’t seeing that in Heard’s face. “It’s moral superiority. It’s almost like saying, I got you. I got you,” pointed out Drive.

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With Depp, she noticed the occasional smile, which she explained as an attempt to hide the pain he’s experiencing

Image credits: CourtTV

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Image credits: CourtTV

She also talked about Depp, pointing out that he gives these brief smiles every now and then, signifying that it shows he’s experiencing feelings of weakness and vulnerability while talking about the abuse he has experienced to, in a sense, counterweight (as a defense mechanism) the pain he’s feeling because of it.

Drive pointed out that there is also this nervous laugh that accompanies the smile, and that people can see it in other interviews that he’s had over the years, especially when he is asked to revisit bad memories or, like in the court video, is being emasculated.

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Drive also pointed out Heard’s feelings of shame, anxiety, and stress, which can be seen in how she touches her face

Image credits: CourtTV

Image credits: CourtTV

There was a third clip Drive talked about, and that is again about Heard. In the video, she is seen being more tactile with her face, which Drive explains as a response to the spike in stress.

Moreover, when Heard touches her forehead, that is indicative of shame, which only emphasizes the absence of things like swallows, no cornering down of the mouth, no eye-brows pulling together which would signify sadness.

All of this leads Drive to believe that there was no battering done like some news outlets claimed in defense of Heard. If it was, she wouldn’t give out the non-verbal bodily communication that she is now.

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Image credits: CourtTV

Image credits: CourtTV

You can see the full examination below

On another occasion, Drive was also commenting on a clip where Heard was said to have borderline personality disorder after an incident where she hit a former friend in the face.

A key moment here, according to Drive, was where Heard turned away for a moment to look over the shoulder, which signifies lack of confidence, as if to scan around to look for understanding and acceptance from others.

In another interview, Drive pointed out the moral superiority and anger Heard’s been expressing in the following court session

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Image credits: CourtTV

Image credits: CourtTV

Image credits: CourtTV

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Image credits: CourtTV

You can check out the full second video below

Also, the eyebrows display displeasure and trouble—she seems bothered with anticipation for whatever bad news that might follow as per a perceived threat and she’s seemingly trying to control her anger.

You can check out the videos in full here and here, as well as check out Drive’s TikTok channel here, but before you go, share your thoughts on this whole court case in the comment section below!

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Robertas Lisickis

Robertas Lisickis

Writer, BoredPanda staff

Read more »

Some time ago, Robertas used to spend his days watching how deep the imprint in his chair will become as he wrote for Bored Panda. Wrote about pretty much everything under and beyond the sun. Not anymore, though. He's now probably playing Gwent or hosting Dungeons and Dragons adventures for those with an inclination for chaos.

Read less »
Robertas Lisickis

Robertas Lisickis

Writer, BoredPanda staff

Some time ago, Robertas used to spend his days watching how deep the imprint in his chair will become as he wrote for Bored Panda. Wrote about pretty much everything under and beyond the sun. Not anymore, though. He's now probably playing Gwent or hosting Dungeons and Dragons adventures for those with an inclination for chaos.

Monika Pašukonytė

Monika Pašukonytė

Author, BoredPanda staff

Read more »

I am a visual editor here. In my free time I enjoy the vibrant worlds of art galleries, exhibitions, and soulful concerts. Yet, amidst life's hustle and bustle, I find solace in nature's embrace, cherishing tranquil moments with beloved friends. Deep within, I hold a dream close - to embark on a global journey in an RV, accompanied by my faithful canine companion. Together, we'll wander through diverse cultures, weaving precious memories under the starry night sky, fulfilling the wanderlust that stirs my soul.

Read less »

Monika Pašukonytė

Monika Pašukonytė

Author, BoredPanda staff

I am a visual editor here. In my free time I enjoy the vibrant worlds of art galleries, exhibitions, and soulful concerts. Yet, amidst life's hustle and bustle, I find solace in nature's embrace, cherishing tranquil moments with beloved friends. Deep within, I hold a dream close - to embark on a global journey in an RV, accompanied by my faithful canine companion. Together, we'll wander through diverse cultures, weaving precious memories under the starry night sky, fulfilling the wanderlust that stirs my soul.

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Nubis Knight
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

None of us can be sure what happened between Amber Heard and Johnny Depp, at most I think both did their part in a toxic relationship. But everytime I watch Amber Heard closely when Johnny Depp speaks about being abused there seems to be something off in her face, like hidden amusement or contempt. I don't know about Depp but I for sure don't trust Heard.

Pisco
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So far both have been suspected of abuse. I believe that they were both abusive to each other.

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ERIKA H.
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a previously battered women, F Amber Heard. She is so obviously lying. Not saying Johnny is a saint and isn't toxic af, but she is a liar who has set women back 100 years with her lies

Hermione
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am sorry for what you went through but I don’t believe that being a previously battered woman makes you an expert on figuring out who is lying.

Load More Replies...
Pisco
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Basically a biased relate of a person who does not know what happened. It reads as a mere opinion in my eyes.

APL
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, 'body language experts' are just pretending their guesswork amounts to a science.

Load More Replies...
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Nubis Knight
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

None of us can be sure what happened between Amber Heard and Johnny Depp, at most I think both did their part in a toxic relationship. But everytime I watch Amber Heard closely when Johnny Depp speaks about being abused there seems to be something off in her face, like hidden amusement or contempt. I don't know about Depp but I for sure don't trust Heard.

Pisco
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So far both have been suspected of abuse. I believe that they were both abusive to each other.

Load More Replies...
ERIKA H.
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a previously battered women, F Amber Heard. She is so obviously lying. Not saying Johnny is a saint and isn't toxic af, but she is a liar who has set women back 100 years with her lies

Hermione
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am sorry for what you went through but I don’t believe that being a previously battered woman makes you an expert on figuring out who is lying.

Load More Replies...
Pisco
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Basically a biased relate of a person who does not know what happened. It reads as a mere opinion in my eyes.

APL
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, 'body language experts' are just pretending their guesswork amounts to a science.

Load More Replies...
Load More Comments
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