REUTERS Like many, Page Six Hollywood was mystified on Monday morning when we learned that California AG Rob Bonta unexpectedly settled his battle with the Ellisons over the future of Warner Bros.
Since the announcement, there’s been no shortage of hot takes and intel on why Bonta caved, but none seemed completely satisfactory. So we enlisted a very different type of expert to help unravel the mystery: British body language expert Inbaal Honigman.
We asked Honigman to deconstruct Bonta’s 45- minute press conference and analyze his posture, gesticulations, eye movement and voice. She made some startling interpretations, including that Bonta has his eye on the governor’s mansion!
Here’s the play by play:
“Rob Bonta expresses stress, tension and a desire to hold back his opinions, before he’s even introduced himself.
The press conference starts with Bonta lowering his eyes and pressing his lips together. The pressed lips reveal his reservations around the merger, as he physically seals his mouth from expressing any opinions. Those pressed lips indicate tension, and even disapproval. Less than 30 seconds into the address, Bonta’s lips have already exposed his true feelings, as have his sighs … and those sighs clearly indicate he’s frustrated.”
Honigman then notices that Bonta’s body language starts to perk up:
“As he describes the protections offered for workers, he raises his eyebrows with keen interest, and opens his palms and arms to indicate trust. His body language spells happiness that he’s played his part in improving workers’ rights. His raised eyebrows communicate to his audience that they should find the news exciting.”
As Bonta lists some of the perceived gains the AGs won, Honigman notes that Bonta’s mood keeps improving:
“He raises one hand with his fingers pursed, which is a sign of precision, exactness. He is proud that the agreement makes room for independent storytelling, and that it isn’t just a vague idea, but legally protected. Bonta’s body language becomes more and more proud and confident as he talks of the investment that is guaranteed under the agreement. His head rises, his back lengthens, and his moves become straighter and more decisive.”
Honigman notes yet another shift in Bonta’s mood:
“Bonta’s pace changes as he speaks — from tense to proud, from frustrated to excited—which indicates a change in his mindset. He starts the presser worried and uneasy, not too pleased about having to [sue to block] the merger at all. But he soon changes his tune, as he works himself up to accepting and acknowledging that the merger is taking place.”
During the Q&A Honigman says Bonta goes a bit wobbly:
“When answering questions, Bonta is nervous. While listening to each question, we can see him pushing his glasses up, touching his nose, puckering his chin and nodding nervously. His ‘listening’ body language is anxious and tense. But as soon as each question ends, the Attorney General delivers his response confidently, using secure, strong body language, standing firmly and maintaining direct, fearless eye contact.
It is important to note, that Bonta displays a repeated move of ‘thumb fist,’ a hand gesture associated with elected leaders and officials, not so much with lawyers or attorneys. It is a hand gesture common with politicians and statesmen, especially those seeking to be elected. Could it be that Bonta has political aspirations? Has he got his eyes set on becoming governor in the future? His body language seems to confirm that he does.”
