Nicole Kidman and Salma Hayek’s Heated Exchange Was Over ‘Etiquette Issue,’ Says Body Language Expert

Salma Hayek and Nicole Kidman’s tense interaction at Paris Fashion Week on September 30 has made its rounds on the internet and body language and behavioral expert Darren Stanton exclusively tells In Touch the heated exchange was over an “etiquette issue.”

“The critical moment seems to be that Nicole was posing for photos with Katy Perry. As Nicole goes to walk away, Salma pulls her back, puts her hand across her and pushes her back into [formation],” Darren tells In Touch, on behalf of Spin Genie. “However, Nicole has had enough, and she isn’t playing ball. Salma comes at it, likely, from the view it is of correct etiquette to pose for photos for the paps, and Nicole wants to walk away. Nicole has obviously taken exception, and that’s where the altercation has come from.”

In the TikTok clip, the Perfect Couple actor, 57, stood in between Salma, 58, and Katy, 39, as they posed for paparazzi photos before attending the Balenciaga fashion show. The A-listers’ backs were to the person who took the video, alongside a second group of paparazzi, who asked the women to turn around for more photos. Salma tried to arrange for them to take more photos, but Nicole tapped out, pushed Salma’s hands off of her and gave Katy kisses before walking away.

According to Darren, the moment was an “assertion of power” and “battle of egos” between the Big Little Lies star and Frida actor.

“You can see Nicole makes a gesture with her finger, raises her finger and shakes her hand, as if to say, I’m not having this. You then see Salma hold her hand, almost like a gesture a police officer might make, to direct someone,” Darren explains. “It’s almost as if she’s trying to direct Nicole’s movement in the opposite direction to where she wanted to go. As Nicole walked off in the direction she chose, we see this fantastic chin thrust from Salma, which is reminiscent of the likes of Conor McGregor.”

Darren tells In Touch that a chin thrust is “a defiant gesture, meant to undermine and intimidate someone else.”

“You can see she was flashing a fake smile, that’s the sort of gesture that is,” he notes.

Neither Salma nor Nicole addressed the awkward moment as of publication.

However, a source close to the situation exclusively tells In Touch that “there is nothing” to their exchange. “They are close friends and this is being taken out of context,” the source adds. “Salma and Nicole truly love each other.”

Nicole didn’t appear to be in her normal bubbly spirit at the Balenciaga show as it was her first public appearance after her mother, Janelle Ann Kidman, died in early September. The Practical Magic star was at the Venice Film Festival when she was informed about her mom’s passing and left on September 7 to tend to the tragic emergency. Nicole was announced as best actress for her performance in Babygirl but was not in attendance to accept the award.

“My sister and I along with our family want to thank you for the outpouring of love and kindness we have felt this week,” Nicole wrote via Instagram on September 12 alongside a photo tribute of her mom. “Every message we have received from those who loved and admired our Mother has meant more to us than we will ever be able to express. Thank you from our whole family for respecting our privacy as we take care of each other.”