From Mark & Michelle Keegan’s ‘textbook’ NTA snog to Ronaldo’s raunchy ‘butt grab’ – what celebs cringe PDAs REALLY show
PUBLIC displays of affection (PDA) have long been a hallmark of celebrity relationships, with stars often taking to social media and red carpets to flaunt their love.
This week Mark Wright planted a cheeky kiss on Michelle Keegan's cheek at the National Television Awards, whilst Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce tried to squash ‘showmance’ rumours by packing on the PDA at the US Open.
Many celebrity couples have been known to indulge in PDA, sometimes to the discomfort of their fans, and sometimes to “prove” to fans that they are actually “in love.”
Body language expert believes that couples who smooch and touch each other in public can surprisingly reveal an insight into what their relationship is really like.
She says: "Public displays of affection by celebrities can offer deep insights into the real dynamics of their relationships."
Here, Judi provides her insights into what these cringe-worthy snaps reveal about each couple.
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Passionate but textbook
Mark Wright & Michelle Keegan
This week, the couple, both aged 37, looked effortlessly chic in their outfits whilst giving each other a smooch on the NTA’s red carpet.
Mark wasn’t afraid to give his wife a big smooch on the cheek as Michelle struck a series of impressive poses.
Judi says: “This PDA looks as mannered-but-oh-so-sexy as a Paso Doble or Argentinian Tango.
“Mark keeps one hand in his pocket to signal a sense of suave style but he also leans across in a body language act of inconvenience to stretch his neck to plant a bestowed kiss on wife Michelle’s cheek.
“His splayed finger position on her waist could have come straight out of the Strictly textbook, as could the way she arches her back so their torsos and pelvises are pressed together. Sensual perfection.
“His beaming kiss signals pride in Michelle too here.”
Powerful and personal
Rochelle & Marvin Humes
Showing us how he’s a bit of her and she’s a bit of him, Michelle and Marvin’s love language is more touch than kiss.
This Morning presenter Rochelle, 25, and her hubby singer, 39, avoided the kissing but didn’t hold back on the NTA red carpet.
Judi says: “Their posing is in sync, which signals that they are like-minded.
“They have shared goals and friendship as well as affection.
“Their relationship looks like one of total equality and even status.
“Fixing their eyes onto the camera they wind an arm round each other’s waists to show emotional links and similar, matching personality traits.”
Enduring and sneaky
Prince William & Kate Middleton
Princess Kate revealed she had finished chemotherapy and is now focusing on being "cancer-free" in a heartwarming family video this week.
It offered a rare glimpse into her life with Prince William as a couple, as well as family time with her children.
Judi says: "This is a very sensual signal from William to his wife although it clearly also masks as part of romping and play (despite Charlotte’s hilarious reaction).
"It’s quite a sweetly sneaky move by William here, who uses a moment of fun to register sexual attraction by leaning over a prostrate Kate and planting a kiss on her neck.
";The neck is a very sensitive erogenous zone and the ‘adoring’ gesture signals mutual trust and enduring attraction.
"It’s a move that will let the partner know how beautiful they are looking as well as how sexy.
"It’s an important long term relationship ritual to show how much you fancy your partner despite the fact that you both have time-consuming roles as parents and in your careers."
Playful but mature
Orlando Bloom & Katy Perry
Also packing on the PDA on a red carpet this week but in the US, was Orlando, 47, and Katy, 39.
The pair certainly didn’t hold back whilst they attended the Kering's 3rd Annual Caring for Women Dinner at The Pool in New York.
Judi says: “These two hooked up eight years ago and their PDAs reflect the fact that they are enjoying a more mature relationship that involves fun and possibly game-playing.
“He presses his face into her cheek to plant a rather squashed kiss while his face is crinkled in a display of humour.
“She tilts her head and closes her eyes as she smiles as though under some kind of playful ‘attack’.
“He seems to be whispering secrets to her and she’s sharing the joke, suggesting they don’t take their red-carpet PDAs too seriously even though they’re happy to create some scenes for the cameras.”
Naughty but nice
Cristiano Ronaldo & Georgina Rodríguez
Cristiano playfully grabbed his girlfriend Georgina’s bottom during their romantic getaway in the south of France whilst aboard a luxurious yacht.
Judi says: “Cristiano isn’t just touching Georgina’s bum here in a display of approval and attention-seeking, he’s grabbing it and squeezing it like a rubber horn that goes ‘parp’ while she turns to look down with a questioning glance.
“He looks more like a playful kid here with an ‘I see I want I grab’ sense of naughty fun and instant gratification behaviour.
“Cheeky-sexy, yes. Sensual, seductive and sophisticated? Maybe not”
Perfection but young
Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce
Rumours swirled that the popstar and the athlete, both 34, had staged their relationship to further their careers after an alleged 'contract' outlining a breakup strategy surfaced online last week.
But showmance or not, Judi believes the pair are simply sprung.
She says: “This is ‘Sandy and Danny from Grease’ love display, with a sense of idyllic, teenage-dream love signals.
“The giggling kisses with her hand grabbing his cheeks, whilst he doesn't seem to be ready, suggest ‘first love’ vibes with an emphasis on romance.
“It looks sweet and swooning and perfect for a younger fan base.”
Intense and romantic
Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco
The actress's relationship with her music producer partner Benny, 36, has been going from strength to strength since they got together in December 2023.
And Selena, 32, isn’t afraid to show him off to her 424 million followers on Instagram either.
Judi says: “The body language in this PDA suggests contrasting desires.
“He looks totally intensely focused on her, leaning in with his lips puckered for a romantic smooch, while his right-hand holds her in a signal of sexual desire, too.
She’s turned her attention to the camera though and her facial expression, with the scrunched eyes and stuck-out tongue, makes her look more as though she’s into fun, humour and a bit of rebellion.
“She seems to have missed a moment here in terms of complementary states but maybe he prefers a bit of rejection and enjoys the chase.”
Dramatic but harmonious
Emma & Matt Willis
They are the new 'it' couple taking over our screens, and the pair have become a huge favourite amongst Brits.
Matt and Emma Willis, who presented the UK's first Love Is Blind show, aren't afraid to hold back.
Judi says: "Some couples manage to inject sex into their PDAs without even trying and Matt and Emma can’t pose within three feet of each other without letting us know how in love and in lust they are.
"They combine a sense of down-to-earth fun with some subtle or not-too-subtle body language displays of congruent mutual attraction.
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"PDAs like this tend to come from couples that have had very real relationships that have included challenges and drama.
"It suggests a total appreciation of where they are and a determination to not take each other for granted."
Decoding celebrity PDA dynamics
By Judi James, Body Language Expert
Public displays of affection can provide deep insights into the true dynamics of celebrity relationships.
In a world of showmances, fauxmances, and looming splits, it would be naïve to trust too much in the loved-up performances that may be driven more by PR and branding concerns than genuine affection.
In fact, the keener a celebrity couple is to lock lips and engage in overly sexualised PDAs on the red carpet, the more suspicious we should be about the authenticity of their relationship.
Performative PDAs are often more about boasting to the world of sexual prowess or the ability to shock (or promote a movie) than about a genuine relationship.
Those sexually charged poses might appear to be intimate moments, but they are anything but, often reproduced in a conveyor belt fashion as they pose for each set of cameras in turn.
The perfect PDA depends on the nature and stage of the relationship, but when we truly adore someone, we are more likely to feel coyness or embarrassment about showing that intense emotion in public.
This is why laughter, giggles, or acts of smiling while kissing are usually better indicators of a long-term relationship than overly passionate clinging, hugging, or kissing.
A tender kiss on the side of the head or shoulder can say more than a full-on lip kiss with tongues. In a genuine relationship, torso proximity will be natural, rather than leaning in without touching to plant a kiss.
Look for touch rituals: in a performed relationship, I often see the man or woman’s fingers held away from any contact during a hug or embrace.
Body language synchronicity is a vital factor in revealing a strong relationship, but authenticity tends to be signalled by subtler gestures.
A small touch on the bum or back, a gentle stroke of the cheek, an embarrassed giggle when eyes meet, and a lack of interest in performing for the camera with eye engagement and smiling are important.
The biggest giveaway, however, is the 'look of love.'
This is shown in the way a couple’s faces change when they look at each other.
Their features will relax and soften along with their eye expressions. Often, they can’t stop themselves from doing what is essentially a 'soppy' smile. Their pupils will dilate too, which can often be captured on camera.