Expert Claims Blake Lively ‘Directed’ And ‘Choreographed’ TIME Gala Appearance

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds may have looked like the picture-perfect Hollywood couple at the TIME100 Gala, but behind those red carpet smiles, body language experts say there’s way more going on.

The duo’s public appearance comes at a seriously tense moment, with Lively embroiled in a nasty legal battle against her “It Ends With Us” co-star and director Justin Baldoni, while also fending off fresh feuds with conservative commentator Megyn Kelly.

In December, Lively sued Baldoni for alleged sexual harassment, claims he has denied while hitting back with a jaw-dropping $400 million defamation lawsuit against Lively, her publicist, and even Reynolds, all of whom deny the accusations.

Now, it seems the pressure may be taking its toll on Blake Lively.

According to body language expert Judi James, who spoke to Daily Mail, the couple’s interactions on the TIME100 red carpet revealed subtle signs of friction.

“Blake quite happily lets us know via her pointing and shrugging that she’s openly keen to get her reluctant looking husband to pose solo,” James observed, describing how Lively appeared to guide, and at times, physically reposition, Reynolds during the photo call.

At one point, Blake was seen grabbing Ryan’s hand, clutching his bicep, and emphatically gesturing, even rolling her eyes when he hesitated to move.

“Blake seems to take over the role of director and choreographer,” James explained. “Her fingers are splayed over his chest while her chin is tilted up to signal proud possession and a trophy-like adoration.”

James added that Lively used “subtle tie-signs,” little nudges and gestures, to manage their synchronized posing, while Reynolds seemed to go along with it… but with visible reluctance.

“He uses a closed-lip smile to suggest modesty or irony,” James said. “There’s a moment where he tries to ‘break’ the pose and step away, but Blake holds on, placing her hand on his waist to suggest she’s not ready to be done.”

When Reynolds was called for a solo shot, Lively reportedly resisted, grabbing his hand and directing him where to stand. After a pause, she shrugged dramatically toward photographers and rolled her eyes, seemingly signaling, I tried.

“Blake wants him to lean in. Ryan wants to keep it low-key. She’s choreographing the moment, and he’s quietly resisting,” James summed up.

And the red carpet awkwardness wasn’t the only headline Blake made that night.

During the TIME100 ceremony, Lively gave a moving speech about her mother’s experience as a survivor of sexual assault. But many online were quick to criticize the timing, pointing out her silence on domestic violence last year while promoting “It Ends With Us,” a movie centered on abuse.

“I have so much to say about the last two years of my life, but tonight is not the forum,” Lively said, hinting at her legal battle. She then pivoted to celebrating “the feeling of being a woman who has a voice today,” and detailed how her mother, Willie Elaine McAlpin, was “saved” by hearing another woman publicly share her survival story.

“Because of hearing that woman speak about her experience instead of shutting down in fear and unfair shame, my mom is alive today,” Lively told the audience.

Toward the end of her speech, she thanked “every man, including my sweet husband [Ryan], who are kind and good when no one is watching,” and paid tribute to “all the communities across the gender, age, political, geographical, and racial spectrum who fight every day just to be safe.”

Still, critics slammed the speech as an opportunistic move.

“Oh so now she is using her Mother’s SA to be likable??? But in August she didn’t mention DV when promoting a movie about DV. Interesting…” one social media user wrote.

Speaking to Daily Mail, Kelly, who has been vocal about Lively’s lawsuit, blasted TIME’s decision to include Blake in their “Most Influential” list, saying bluntly that the actress “shouldn’t be here.”

Blake Lively has yet to respond to Kelly’s comments.