GWEN Stefani could have faded into the background on The Voice given her acts were dramatically axed ahead of the singing show final.
But a body language expert has revealed the pop star has stayed front and center ahead of tonight's show.
Body language expert Judi James said Gwen, 54, was not “licking her wounds” after her coaching exit last week.
She claimed Gwen deliberately used red lipstick as “warpaint" after her final contestant, Bias, was eliminated from the show in the semi-finals.
Tonight's season finale will see Ruby Leigh, Lila Forde, Huntley, Mara Justine, and Jacquie Roarl compete for the coveted winning spot.
What Ola and James Jordan really ate and did to shed 7st
Mom-of-three Gwen responded to her elimination on Instagram on Tuesday.
The mom-of-three wriggled and twirled for the camera, as she showed off a figure-hugging green mini-dress.
In an exclusive interview, James told The U.S. Sun: “Gwen showed three messages of instant repair in her Instagram post.
"This was just after her last act crashed out.
“Her post showed she was already preparing to fight even harder next season.
“Her message was onward and upwards, without any obvious sign she would be licking her wounds or feeling bitter.
“Gwen’s emphatic ritual of slowly and carefully painting her lips a strong, feisty red was symbolic of her true feelings."
James suggested Gwen had even started plotting her next season comeback.
"Gwen's gestures showed her future intentions," she said
“Red lipstick throws a stronger warpaint signal to the other coaches.
I'm a 'time traveler' - the 'worst case scenario that could kill us all'
“This is Gwen’s usual colour but the very careful and featured application of it suggested she is buckling up for next season.
“The way she featured her long talons shows another state of fight potential.
“She shrugged it all off with her intense hair-flicking rituals.”
Despite Gwen’s ongoing endurance, season 24 saw fans call for her to be fired.
They also criticized her for a lack of coaching skills.
Last week fans said that Bias sounded bad when she had him sing God Bless the Broken Road by Rascal Flatts.
One said on X: "So how many more country classic songs is he going to destroy with her coaching before he is voted off?"
When Reba McEntire joined the show she replaced Gwen's husband, country singer Blake Shelton.
In May, Radar Online reported a source claimed Gwen was “gunning" for the popular redhead.
The insider said: "Blake has been the king of the coaches since the start of the show."
They added: "Gwen saw his departure as a chance to really shine and take over the reins."
James noticed Reba continued to show she was there to stay.
"Reba’s posing also showed how she can compete quietly, cleverly but with deadly accuracy," she said.
"During one red carpet photo session, Reba carried out a tongue-in-cheek mimicry of Gwen.
"She mirrored the signature Gwen gesture of raising her hands to wiggle her fingers up around her face.
"Body language mimicry is a soft but effective form of attack.
"Reba looks very much like a woman who will have the last laugh.
"Reba would be the one to watch this season."
One of the final group photos of the coaches on The Voice was shared by Reba on her Instagram page.
The image, posted on Wednesday, showed Niall Horan, John Legend, and Reba with the No Doubt star.
Gwen was standing in the middle.
James said Gwen’s Instagram pose defined her as the unassailable Queen Bee of the show.
“She is at the front of the pose, she said.
"Again, Gwen eclipsed the other coaches with her star presence.
"It is all about scene-stealing and upstaging with her styling.
“Her head tilt signals a desire to be pleasing and likable.
"Gwen has her Duchenne smile and bent to knee giving a beauty queen vibe.
“The formation here makes it look like Gwen is the big star.
"She could be standing with her three backing singers.”
During another red carpet moment on Wednesday, the coaches were seen singing Happy Birthday to Taylor Swift.
An Instagram clip was captioned: "Our Coaches prepared a special BDAY ballad in your honor."
James claimed Gwen continued to take center stage, despite it being Taylor's birthday.
“Niall, John, and Reba all use body language signals to lower their status in honor of Taylor, " she said.
“The three of them appear humble as they wish Taylor a happy birthday.
“Gwen gets up close and personal with the camera to speak one A-lister to another.
“She fills the screen and even points one dominant finger into the lens to make it seem like it’s in three-D.
“She threatens to come out of the screen at Taylor at the other end.
“Niall adopts a polite and almost apologetic pose with his hands clasped in front.
“John uses eye-shape-softening techniques to register warmth and friendliness.
“Reba mimics Marilyn’s song to the president, standing away from the camera to make Taylor laugh."
James added: “The other three coaches might have won this season but Gwen’s body language suggests she will not take it lying down.
“It is very clear Gwen will come back.
"She will also come back a lot harder next season.”
