A body language expert has decoded Zara McDermott and Louis Tomlinson’s recent appearance as the pair has been snapped in Malibu together.
The Love Island star, 28, and the One Direction singer, 33, have seemingly confirmed relationship rumours as they were snapped holding hands in Malibu this week.
The pair stopped at Soho Beach House for a late ocean-side lunch and were snapped looking dressed down as they entered the members-only club.
The couple appeared to be tentative of the camera, and a body language expert has confirmed that their appearance was ‘guarded’.
In an exclusive partnership with Mecca Bingo, Dr Beth Dawson, a body language and behavioural expert, told Metro: ‘Zara, known for her wide, charismatic smile, looks noticeably tense and contained. The warmth we usually associate with her public persona is absent.’
Dr Dawson explained: ‘Zara ended a long-term relationship with Sam Thompson just a few months earlier. Stepping into a new relationship, particularly with someone as high-profile as Louis, represents a major change for her.
‘She might be tense because of that. While their public styles differ, both Zara and Louis are known to value family and close-knit relationships, which might explain the low-key nature of their first outings together.’
Dr Dawson further explained that Louis was also showing signs of tension, likely from the camera taking the snaps.
‘Even when Louis is smiling, he appears guarded. However, he looks directly at the camera, so he is probably aware that he’s being photographed, and that is probably where the tension is coming from.’
She added that Zara, too, showed the same discomfort with this public appearance.
‘She appears tense, and notably, she isn’t smiling. In fact, we can even catch a glimpse of micro-expressions that suggest worry or apprehension.
‘This could very well be due to the awareness that she’s being photographed and the knowledge that any image will be interpreted and scrutinised.’
The expert added that the crossed arms from Zara didn’t indicate anything negative, and was likely a self-soothing exercise from the star.
‘Zara is often seen with her arms crossed and is often more reserved in public settings, so this posture may not indicate discomfort on its own.
‘The arm crossing could simply suggest she’s feeling a little exposed and is engaging in self-soothing behaviour.’
After Louis shared a series of photos at the music festival, including one cheekily flipping the bird, fans have spotted that Zara has liked the post.
Since the pair hard launched, there have been reports that Zara has already been introduced to Louis’ family, including his makeup artist sister Lottie Tomlinson and twins Daisy and Phoebe.
A friend told The Sun: ‘Zara has already met all the family, and they can tell that she has made Louis giddy.
‘It’s the first time in a long time that they have seen him happy. They think Zara is super wholesome and health-conscious, so they are happy he is with someone who shuns the party life.’
Rumours began last month when the pair were spotted on a romantic getaway in Suffolk.
The pair were seen together just three months after Zara’s split from Sam Thompson, 32, who is said to be ‘hurting’ seeing his ex of five years ‘move on so quickly’.
Last week, Zara and Louis further fuelled rumours they were now an item after posting similar videos on Instagram.
The pair both shared posts just minutes apart from the Stereophonics concert at The Wiltern theatre in Los Angeles.
The next day, she posted a photo out at brunch, with eagle-eyed fans noticing his wrist tattoo in the snap.
A source revealed that Zara’s ex, Made in Chelsea star Sam, is focusing on his career, but seeing her grow close to the former boyband member hasn’t been easy.
An insider told Metro: ‘Sam is hurting after seeing the photos of Zara and Louis on a date.
‘He’s been dealing with the heartbreak of his split from Zara – it’s only been a few months, and they were together for five years as well as living together.
‘Seeing her move on so quickly isn’t easy, but he’s focusing on himself and has a lot going on in his career going forward.’
However, in the coming months, he’s set to come face to face with his ex-girlfriend’s new partner on live TV.
In June, both will be competing at the Soccer Aid for Unicef match, where they’ll be playing on the same team.
After five years together, Zara and Sam reportedly called it quits in December.
It came after he shared on social media that Zara was ‘stuck with me forever’ on December 14, but reports emerged that it was all over on New Year’s Day.
A source said that ‘after a tough year of working hard at their romance, they have split and will be focusing on their individual careers’ and that there had not been ‘any scandal or fallout’.
Louis’ most public previous relationship was with Eleanor Calder, who he dated on and off from 2011 to 2022.
During a split from Eleanor in 2015, he briefly dated Briana Jungwirth, who gave birth to their child, Freddie in 2016.
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