Expert reveals tell-tale signs of Ellen DeGeneres' discomfort from that awkward Dakota Johnson interview
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: One of the most memorable and cringe-worthy moments in talk show history happened in November 2019, when Dakota Johnson calmly yet decisively called out Ellen DeGeneres on 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show'.
The exchange, which centered on an alleged snub from Johnson’s 30th birthday party, has since become a cultural flashpoint, sparking a fresh wave of analysis—this time focusing on the body language of both stars during the exchange, as reported by Cosmopolitan.
Ellen DeGeneres and Dakota Johnson's awkward exchange
The interaction began when Ellen jokingly remarked, “How was the party? I wasn’t invited.” However, Johnson was quick to set the record straight, clarifying that this was "not the truth." She explained that she had gone out of her way to ensure DeGeneres received an invitation.
The '50 Shades of Grey' star remarked, "Last time I was on the show last year, you gave me a bunch of s**t about not inviting you, but I didn't even know you wanted to be invited...I didn't even know you liked me!"
Johnson stood her ground, "I did invite you, and you didn't come." To which DeGeneres shot back, "This time you invited me? I don't think so."
"Ask everybody," Johnson replied. "Ask Jonathon, your producer. But I did invite you, and you didn't come." As Johnson calmly insisted she had extended an invitation and even involved DeGeneres' producer Jonathon as proof, the talk show host was visibly thrown off. “Why didn’t I go?” Ellen stumbled. “Oh yeah, I had that thing! It was probably in Malibu, that's too far for me to go to. I think I do remember I was invited - thank you!"
Ellen DeGeneres's body language analyzed during viral Dakota Johnson interview
Blanca Cobb, a body language expert, analyzed the infamous footage in 2019 and provided fascinating insights into the subtle gestures that spoke volumes about both parties’ emotions.
Cobb broke down the subtle cues that revealed what the pair’s body language conveyed beyond their words.
From the outset, Cobb told Cosmopolitan that Ellen appeared uncomfortable, highlighting her posture as a key indicator. “So the right leg is crossed over her left leg, and that leg—the way she has it serves like a barrier between her and Dakota, so it’s like a psychological barrier as well as a physical barrier,” she deduced.
Another telling sign of Ellen’s discomfort? Her repetitive movements. Cobb observed that the comedian was “rubbing her fingers either on the armrest or her leg,” a gesture often associated with “self-soothing” when someone is feeling uneasy.
According to Cobb, Dakota initially appeared at ease, even leaning toward Ellen. When Dakota mentioned she hadn’t invited Ellen to her party the previous year because she believed the comedian didn’t like her, her open palms indicated she was being “sincere, candid, and forward.”
The tension escalated when Ellen responded, insisting she liked Dakota, “Of course I like you. You knew I liked you! You’ve been on the show many times and don’t I show...like?” However, Cobb pointed out that Ellen’s lack of a smile while saying this undercut her words. “Typically, if you’re saying something positive, it reflects on your face,” Cobb said, adding, “I’m not sure if Ellen was pissed, but she seemed surprised.”
During the interview, Dakota casually mentioned that Tig Notaro, not Ellen, was her favorite comedian and had attended her party. While the comment was hilarious to many, Cobb noted that Ellen seemed genuinely taken aback that Dakota would say it so directly. This became clear when Ellen “pulled back.”
Cobb explained, “She turned her head away from Dakota, averted her gaze, and briefly looked down. It was a clear sign of disconnection and discomfort—when someone physically turns away, it’s often because they’re not pleased with what they’re hearing.”
