RYAN Seacrest tried to outshine his Live replacement, Mark Consuelos during an interview at the Oscars, a body language expert has said.
And she points out that Mark's attempt to stand firm was impacted because he didn't have his own mic.
While many celebrity couples paraded up the champagne carpet at the Oscars on Sunday, March 12, Kelly Ripa, 52, and Mark Consuelos, 51 were spotted alongside her Live co-star, Ryan Seacrest.
Even then, the sight of the glammed-up trio huddled together, chatting and smiling animatedly seemed fitting.
And as they continued to mingle it was during an interview on ABC’s Countdown to Oscars 95 that the three offered up a much-anticipated announcement.
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Kelly’s husband Mark Consuelos is set to become the official co-host of Live on Monday, April 17, when he'll finally take over Ryan’s coveted spot.
But as Kelly, Mark, and Ryan began to discuss the uncontroversial job transition, as well as the Oscars, a body language expert claims their gestures outside the Los Angeles Dolby Theatre were telling.
For the first time, and from examining video footage she noticed a power struggle evolving between Kelly's husband and her longtime TV partner.
In an exclusive interview, body language expert Judi James told The U.S. Sun: “On the champagne carpet, Ryan was clearly trying to be dominant, while Mark was submissive at first.
“But then Mark begins to feel sidelined and doesn't like it.
"Mark has no mic to speak into so he stands with his legs together and his hands clasped in a self-protective fig-leaf pose.
“Until now they've all tried to show a happy, equal, and close relationship in the run-up to Ryan’s departure, but their body language at the Oscars is revealing.
“It shows Ryan trying to keep a very dominant place in the spotlight and Mark adopting a more passive pose on Kelly’s other side.
“Ryan seems to be doing some non-verbal boasting about his confidence and utter experience in roles like this.
“He has been doing these events for years and shows that off.
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"He is forceful about him and Kelly still being a double act.
“But then Mark’s subliminal signals suggest some possible dislike or resentment of the sidelining.
“At one point he looks across with a lower jaw-jut before performing a tongue-poke."
And so the former Riverdale star will soon replace Ryan as Kelly's co-host, with the ABC star transitioning out of the Live programming for good.
The American Idol host plans to head back to Los Angeles full-time and complete the 21st season of American Idol while guest hosting on Live as and when.
Seacrest previously said he would work on the hit morning talk show for three years, but this soon changed to six because he claimed to be enjoying the experience so much.
Over the years and as Ripa’s husband Mark filled in during Ryan’s absence, it seemed fitting that he'd take the hot seat when he left.
“Outside the Dolby Theater during this key interview and announcement and Ryan stands apart from the other two," says Judi.
"Ryan uses a classic man-splay leg ritual, with one hand stuffed in his pocket to show casual charm and nonchalance while the other holds the mic.
“He engages the presenter with his wide-stretched social smile and his eye contact, leaving Mark looking very sidelined.
“When Ryan says ‘we’ he looks at Kelly and makes them appear to be a double act.
“The power battle then begins to intensify when Mark tries to jump in with an announcement gesture but gets ignored.
“The minute he's invited in and the banter starts, Mark does several downward points at Ryan to swing the authority in his favor.
“Suddenly the alpha play-fighting is back on again and when Mark gets to speak into the mic, his power signals inflate with a leg splay and even a forward steeple power pose of his hands.”
This has been the second time the three celebrities have publicly discussed Ryan’s departure from "Live with Kelly and Ryan."
On Thursday, February 16, Ryan first announced his decision on air during the morning talk show.
Kelly's husband was then invited on set the next day.
At the time, the host had to wipe away tears as he and Mark shared their mutual appreciation of one another.
Kelly then said to Ryan: “You’ve gone from being a friend to a family member. You are family to us,” before adding: “I’m so proud of you and I cheer you on endlessly.”
While Ryan said of Mark that he was like "a brother" to him, before adding: "I have become so close with both of you."
The actor responded: "I couldn't think of a better person to sit next to my wife for the past six years."
“Even during this first public showing of this seemingly at peace trio, Ryan is leaning away from Kelly here as though already close to the exit," adds Judi.
“When he does lean back in she clamps his arm with one hand to keep him close and to cue her own turn to talk.
“Mark has very alpha body language, with his puffed-out chest and striding walk.
“The hug between the two guys is a very alpha one, too, the kind of ‘Man-hug’ that can double as a show of strength.
“The two men are clearly speaking of their close bonding but their underlying signals suggest non-verbal banter.
“If they have a sibling relationship, as they claim they do, it seems to involve some competitiveness, too.
“While Mark takes the applause, Ryan’s foot begins to tap.
“He stretches his arm out in a distancing gesture to Mark while his left hand balls into a fist.
“This looks like play, as Ryan also intersperses it with ‘only joking’ bouts of laughter.
“Ryan’s steepled thumbs gesture suggests status and authority.
"Mark uses the upward pointing index finger gesture that then becomes a pointing gesture to signal very strong authority and power here.
“In both of these exchanges, you can see the power struggle between Mark and Ryan at play.
"And with this competitiveness, they often try to mask that with humor."
