Body language expert dubs Nicole Kidman and Salma Hayek's viral tiff a 'Devil Wears Prada lesson in status'

PARIS, FRANCE: Nicole Kidman and Salma Hayek's tense altercation during the Balenciaga show at Paris Fashion Week has gone viral, and fans of the two legendary actresses are curious to know what really happened.

The two divas reportedly clashed as Salma tried to physically steer Nicole Kidman to pose for the cameras during the fashion event. 

Salma, 58, who is married to Balenciaga’s parent company Kering’s CEO François-Henri Pinault, was present at the fashion show with Balenciaga brand ambassador Nicole Kidman, and Katy Perry. 

As the three divas were asked to pose together, a confusion ensued. The video of the altercation went viral as the ‘Eyes Wide Shut’ actress seemingly swatted away Salma’s hands. Now, a body language expert has weighed in on what actually went wrong in the distressing meeting.

Body language expert decodes Nicole Kidman-Salma Hayek altercation

Body language expert Judi James shared her observations to Daily Mail about the video that blew up two weeks after the incident. 

Dubbing the awkward moment a “Devil Wears Prada lesson in status signals,” James explained, “Paris fashion week shows are a hot-mess combo of rarefied, super-A-list air and the sweaty lower levels of a rugby scrum.”

The body language expert continued, “Keeping your dignity and maintaining impeccable elegance while being jostled and made to wait for what can often be hours are necessary skills, and Nicole Kidman offers what looks like a masterclass here in protecting A-list parameters and status signals against all odds.”

James however cleared the speculations surrounding a probable history between the two actresses, James emphasized that the altercation could have stemmed from an “etiquette issue.”

She continued, “This body language looks like a subliminal etiquette issue, based on fashion house 'rules' that are possibly as complex as the Da Vinci Code.”

James explained, “Nicole seems to be posing happily with her friend Salma, placing a polite arm round her shoulders while keeping their torsos apart. The problem might possibly first arise when Nicole then turns (with her hair covering her face from the cameras) to have a more personal-looking friendly chat to Salma, who is still working the pose.”

“In another clip we can see Salma apparently trying to steer Nicole around and away from her using an arm and a hand that could, although possibly not touching, be seen or felt as directive and a little superior,” added the expert. 

She continued, “Nicole appears to push the hand away, suggesting the mimed touch breached some kind of silent etiquette, as in a possible 'I'll choose when I go or where I move to'.”

“She turns back to kiss Katy, leaving Salma looking nonplussed. There does appear to be some pointing that could look like a small flashpoint before Nicole walks off in the other direction,” analysed James before concluding with a reference to the iconic film ‘Devil Wears Prada’. 

James concluded, “Anyone who has seen 'The Devil Wears Prada' though should know that high fashion event body language maybe shouldn't be judged at normal earthling levels."

What really happened between Nicole Kidman and Salma Hayek?

According to Irish Mirror, the apparent altercation took place on September 30, when Salma, Nicole and Katy Perry were in Paris for the fashion show. 

As the three were asked to pose, the ‘Frida’ actress tried to get Nicole turn around to face the cameras. 

However, as she moved her hand, the Australian actress -- who probably didn’t like the move -- tried to swat her hand away while pushing her arm. 

The Australian actress was seen pointing a finger toward the ‘Grown Ups’ actress before she turned around to bid Katy Perry goodbye. 

An onlooker said that Nicole reportedly told Salma: "Don't touch me.”

Another person noted about the tensed situation, "Oh god, you could cut the tension with a knife."

Salma Hayek and Nicole Kidman have had parallel careers

Salma Hayek and Nicole Kidman, both acting veterans in their late fifties, have had parallel careers in Hollywood after coming from non-American backgrounds. Both started out in the eighties, and became iconic with major roles in their kitty by the noughties.

Both have one Oscars each and have maintained their careers to the present times. Kidman, earlier married to Tom Cruise, forms a power couple with musician husband Keith urban, while Hayek is married to a French billionaire with interests in fashion.