Victoria Beckham showed subtle signs of a smile as England broke the deadlock in the World Cup semi-final against Argentina, according to a leading body language expert. The Spice Girls star, seated next to husband David Beckham, struggled to contain her excitement after Anthony Gordon scored in Atlanta, claims Inbaal Honigman, a celebrity psychic and body language expert speaking on behalf of Covers.com.
Subtle Smile Detected
Honigman noted that Victoria's lips were stretched and her cheeks popped, indicating a 'secret, flat little smile' despite her neutral expression. 'It's subtle, the merest whisper of a smile, but it is there,' Honigman said. 'Similarly, the apples of her cheeks appear to pop, which is another indication of a smile. Tiny but present.'
The expert explained that Victoria's 'Resting Wag Face'—a term coined for her enigmatic expression—has been scrutinized throughout the tournament. 'While David Beckham's smile is unmistakable—lips stretched and curled upwards, eyes narrowed and cheeks rounded, a textbook smile—Victoria's enigmatic facial expression has been the subject of much scrutiny,' Honigman added.
Not Grumpy, Just Elegant
Honigman emphasized that Victoria is 'absolutely not grumpy' despite her controlled expressions. 'The Beckham matriarch hasn't been grumpy throughout the World Cup, she's just kept her smiles super-subtle and elegant,' she said. 'In fact, even when celebrating the Gordon goal, a visibly thrilled Victoria jumps from her seat but keeps her lips tightly shut. It would appear to be a choice, the fashionista wants to appear a certain way in her World Cup photos.'
However, emotions shifted when Argentina equalized and then took the lead, making it 1-2. The match, held in Atlanta, was a high-stakes semi-final clash that saw England initially take the lead before Argentina fought back.
Expert Analysis on Body Language
Honigman's analysis focused on the subtle cues that revealed Victoria's inner excitement. 'During the Argentina-England game, Victoria is seen by her husband's side. Her lips are neutral, her forehead is flat, there's no specific expression to identify. So is this the thunderous face of annoyance, or is it just Victoria's Resting Wag Face?' she asked. 'Eagle-eyed viewers will identify that even though Victoria's lips don't curl up at the ends, they are a bit stretched, indicating a secret, flat little smile.'
The expert concluded that Victoria's controlled demeanor was a deliberate choice, reflecting her fashion-forward image. The Beckhams have been a constant presence at the World Cup, with David's enthusiastic reactions often contrasting with Victoria's more reserved style.
