<p id=”par-1_59″><a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/shania-twain-revealed-favorite-song-wrote-taken-many-lives-own.html/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Shania Twain</a> hosted the <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/stream-2026-acm-awards-free.html/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>61st Academy of Country Music Awards</a> in Las Vegas on May 17. During her opening monologue, the “You’re Still the One” singer reflected on country music’s history and honored some of its legendary performers. She paid tribute to trailblazing hosts such as <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/dolly-parton-reveals-what-her-real-hair-looks-like-without-a-wig.html/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Dolly Parton</a> and Reba McEntire, recognizing their influence on women in country music.</p>
<p id=”par-2_44″>However, an expert observed that Twain appeared “nervous” and “uneasy” as she delivered her monologue despite attempting to come across as confident and “in charge.” Here’s more on that, plus how Ella Langley tried to get her emotions under control during her historic night. </p>
<p id=”par-3_51″>Inbaal Honigman is a celebrity psychic and body language expert. She has appeared in the media for more than 20 years, and she has offered her expertise and perspectives on current events and popular culture for several outlets, including <em>Big Brother’s Little Brother</em>, Elle Magazine, and talkSPORT radio, to name a few.</p>
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<p id=”par-4_48″>Speaking on behalf of <a href=”https://www.covers.com/entertainment” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Covers</a>, Honigman told Showbiz Cheat Sheet, “Shania’s fixed, immovable smile and the microphone, which is held stiff in front of her face, both send the same message — that the veteran performer may try to appear confident and in-charge, but she’s actually nervous and uneasy.</p>
<p id=”par-5_70″>“The toothy ‘Joker’ smile barely changes throughout the opening monologue. Her lips are turned upwards, teeth gleaming, but the fact that it doesn’t change at all gives it an eerie impression. A natural smile would rise and fall throughout a five-minute chat, but not Shania’s smile. It remains superglued to the spot, which is an indication of it being forced. This isn’t a smile of joy but of being photogenic.” </p>
<p id=”par-6_104″>Honigman continued, “As Shania holds her microphone right in front of her face, she uses it as a shield, showing that she feels vulnerable and in need of protection. Shania uses large moves, signifying that she’d like to portray herself as confident, but they’re showbiz moves, and not truly secure. Because her hands keep curling up into fists, and that represents how she truly feels, tense and anxious. While the visual focus is on one arm sweeping broadly, the other, invisible hand curls up into a fist. This is like a magician’s trick where she tries to draw attention away from her nerves …</p>
<p id=”par-7_28″>“The attendants are seen applauding politely, wearing fixed smiles. She’s clearly respected by her peers, or they wouldn’t be clapping at all, but she fails to raise excitement.”</p>
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<p id=”par-8_34″>Honigman also pointed out that Langley, who dominated this year’s Academy of Country Music Awards with a record-breaking five wins, was so overcome with emotion but did her best to keep it together. </p>
<p id=”par-9_75″>“While the audience goes wild, Ella takes her time in trying to get her emotions under control,” the expert noted. “Her shoulders are rolled forward in a protective stance, and she uses her statuette as a shield, feeling a little exposed up there in front of everyone. While she tries to speak, Ella’s chin shakes and puckers, as emotion threatens to overwhelm her, and she shakes her head from side to side in disbelief. </p>
<p id=”par-10_102″>“No matter her level of success or celebrity — Ella’s body language reveals that she was not expecting this win at all, and is overwhelmed by the enormity of her victory. As emotions flood her, Ella struggles to speak, because her throat is caught in trying not to audibly cry …The longer the applause lasts, the harder Ella finds it to keep herself composed. Her lips part in deep exhalations as she tries to regulate her emotions … Her entire display is absolutely genuine. It couldn’t be faked as it is so emotional. Her body language may be dramatic, but very authentic.”</p>
<p id=”par-11_18″><em>Showbiz Cheat Sheet acknowledges that conditions and cultures can impact body language and is sensitive to all backgrounds</em>.</p>