Body language expert gives verdict on Beyoncé’s reaction to Grammys win despite fans’ belief
Jess Hardiman
Featured Image Credit: Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
All eyes were on Beyoncé last night as she scooped not one but three huge awards at the 2025 Grammys.
As well as landing Best Country Duo/Group Performance, Cowboy Carter was also named Best Country Album.
Beyoncé even finally bagged her long-awaited Album of the Year at the Grammys last night – an accolade that’s evaded her four times in the past, despite being the most nominated artist in history.
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She told the audience she was ‘in shock’ for winning Best Country Album, claiming that she was ‘really not expecting this’ as Taylor Swift handed her the prize.
Hilarious footage from the moment her name was called out soon went viral, with the singer freezing on the spot as her daughter Blue Ivy beckoned to her to stand up to collect the award.
As for that Album of the Year title, Beyoncé said she felt ‘honoured’, adding: "It's been many, many years and I just want to thank the Grammys, every songwriter, every collaborator, every producer, all the hard work."
Many fans felt her moment was way overdue – with some even claiming that her shock for any of the awards that night can’t have been genuine as everyone seemed to know she had them in the bag.
One joked: “She tried to act surprised. She knows she got this.”
But body language expert Darren Stanton believes her reaction was one of genuine ‘shock, surprise and disbelief’.
He told Betfair Slots: "She was a statue for a second, like a deer in the headlights. There was real genuine surprise. Her eyes went wide, her mouth dropped open and she froze. These micro-expressions can often suggest fear, but she wasn’t scared, it was more a fleeting flash of emotion that suggests surprise and disbelief.
“In terms of Beyonce’s non-verbal reactions she came over very genuine, very passionate and very humble when she delivered the speech. There were no expressions of arrogance or a 'it’s about time attitude', people often use sarcasm to express this but there was none of that.
“Her vocal tone remained level and there were no signs of aggression or annoyance or pettiness. When people hold things towards their heart it is usually a non-verbal sign they are being genuine and she kept moving the award towards her heart."
As cameras panned across to famous faces in the crowd when she won Album of the Year, many people noticed that Billie Eilish appeared to be tearing up – a gesture that some took as heartfelt emotion for her peer’s win, while some wondered if she was sad to lose out.
But Stanton clarified: “In terms of Billie Eilish’s reaction, some people may have thought that she was crying because she didn’t win but I think they were genuine tears of elation and pride that Beyonce had won.
“For most of the stars of this new younger generation, Beyonce is their icon - the biggest pop star of their childhood. Billie obviously has that empathy with Beyonce. They were genuine tears of joy at the fact that she had finally won the Grammy. You could see in her eyes in the close-up that there were no signs of sadness despite the fact she was crying. It was a clear look of admiration and pride.”