GERRY Turner and Theresa Nist’s appearance on Celebrity Family Feud has exposed the truth behind their failed marriage, a body language expert has said.
She claimed “terrified” Theresa’s gestures on the game show suggested the pair were doomed from the start, with the New Jersey native looking to her “showboating” husband for support.
Gerry, 71, and Theresa, 70, appeared in an episode of Celebrity Family Feud that aired on Tuesday.
They filmed the show before their split in April, competing with their kids Angie, Jenny, Jen, and Tommy.
The Golden Bachelor group faced off against the Bachelor team, consisting of Joey Graziadei and Kelsey Anderson.
Though the couple threw in the towel after marrying on The Golden Bachelor in January, they publicly made the most of their romance with the game show stint.
Body language expert Judi James said Theresa’s gestures contrasted with Gerry’s and indicated that their marriage was already in crisis.
“Theresa looked vulnerable and reluctant from start to finish,” she told The U.S. Sun.
“Her signals showed she desperately wanted her marriage to Gerry to be her happy ending.
“The saddest non-verbal tell was when she self-comforted using her wedding ring.
“Theresa wanted to see Gerry as ‘The One.’
“Gerry’s gestures, however, showed he viewed the marriage as a ladder rung to fame.
“Theresa showed no similar signs of seeking fame or of an inflated ego.
“This is what would cause them to divorce months later and suggest an insurmountable flaw in their marriage. This couple was already in crisis.”
During the Golden Bachelor finale in 2023, Gerry proposed to Theresa and chose her over 64-year-old Leslie Fhima.
The couple looked like a decent match, as Theresa had caught Gerry’s eye among the 22 other contestants.
She grabbed the first date with the father of two, and they got married on live TV in January.
The couple split after Theresa reportedly decided not to relocate.
According to James, Theresa showed genuine feelings for her new husband throughout Celebrity Family Feud.
“She played with her wedding ring when she was put under pressure during the question round,” she said.
Set against Theresa’s vulnerability was Gerry’s competitiveness and total focus on winning.
Judi James
“This showed a desire to turn to her husband for backup and reassurance, as expected in a marriage.
“Theresa did it more than once here, which suggested she had genuine feelings for him despite their imminent split.
“Theresa looked terrified alone in the spotlight, and her eyes sometimes signaled sadness.”
The Family Feud episode also showed Theresa kicking off the first segment but with hesitation.
“Are you out here against your will?” remarked the host Steve Harvey.
“Yes!” Theresa responded.
Gerry came on like a rat out of a trap with his jaunty showboating walk.
Judi James
James claimed Theresa’s mouth movements proved she did not want to be there.
“Theresa rubbed her tongue around the inside of her mouth in a gurning ritual here,” she said
“Her rictus smile suggested she was not joking.”
By contrast, James said Gerry was there only to win the show.
“Set against Theresa’s vulnerability was Gerry’s competitiveness and total focus on winning,” she said
“His wide, rapid stride, with his heels hitting the floor first, made it look like he could not wait to show off his charm and wit.
“Gerry came on like a rat out of a trap with his jaunty showboating walk.
“He had a huge grin for the host but no concerned, loving glances of congratulation or reassurance to his wife.”
Gerry and Theresa first explained their breakup on Good Morning America, claiming it was about distance.
“Theresa and I have had a number of heart-to-heart conversations and we’ve looked closely at our living situation,” Gerry said.
“We’ve come to the decision mutually that it’s probably time for us to dissolve our marriage.”
There was also a display of sexual confidence when he posed with his hands in front of his crotch.
Judi James
Gerry stayed put in Indiana with Theresa in New Jersey, and the divorce was finalized in June.
Interestingly, on the Dear Shandy Podcast, the couple admitted to fighting.
“We yell and scream and say sorry, and we’re better for it,” Theresa said.
“Point, counterpoint, and then it’ll accelerate a little bit and we’ll start looking at each other like, ‘Really? I’m totally right,’” added Gerry.
“When Therea’s score is mentioned on the game show, they used eye-dart movements,” explained James.
“They avoided any solid eye contact exchange.
“Theresa raised her hands before her face to clap and created a barrier.
“Gerry focused on the win, which showed through his victory rituals.
“He used his fist and pantomime hand rubbing while sticking out of his tongue.
“There was also a display of sexual confidence when he posed with his hands in front of his crotch.
“His fingers were clasped, and the thumbs raised in a steeple.
“Overall, their different body language was telling in terms of Gerry and Theresa’s conflicting signals of desire.
“Their intent and goal fulfillment in life looked to be opposite.”
