BOTH halves of what was once Hollywood’s hottest couple turned up to the Venice Film Festival with their new significant others this week.
Comparing their body language, one pro said it’s clear Brad Pitt was pretty focused on showing off his relationship for the camera — while Angelina Jolie kept things closer to the chest.
Angelina, 49, was photographed with UK rapper Akala, 40, at the 81st Venice Film Festival on August 28.
While rumors are swirling that the pair are dating, sources told TMZ that they’re just friends.
Just days later, Brad, 60, appeared on a red carpet with Ines de Ramon, 34, their first official public appearance in two years of dating.
Body language expert Judi James claimed neither star looked like they were in the throes of romance.
“When Angelina walked with Akala in Venice, she was back to her elegant, gracious best,” James told The U.S. Sun.
“She was in goddess mode and wearing high heels that generally make walking challenging.
“Meanwhile, Brad returned to his boyish grin and chin stubble.
“He adopted romantic poses that the cameras want from him, including forced and teeth-baring smiles.
“His relationship with Ines looks like a much-needed emotional breather for him.”
James claimed Angelina did not show her true feelings for Akala in Venice.
“Angelina is skilled at defining her relationships with her men via some intensely performative body language signaling,” she said.
For example, she noted that Angelina was all over Billy Bob Thornton and mirrored Jonny Lee Miller.
But however she is feeling with Akala, she’s not putting it on display.
“Here, with Akala, she did not hint at her feelings,” James said.
James also compared Brad’s body language with Ines to how he looked with past flames.
“There are fashion combos that aim to make this pair look like a matching set,” she said.
“But Brad did not twin as he did with Gwyneth Paltrow back in the day. He was also not tactile here like with Friends star Jennifer Aniston.
After the split, Brad and Angelina finally got their ultimate revenge relationship moment
Judi James
“Brad might have struck a calmer balance with Ines that works for now.”
But, she noted, Brad looks to be having a better time with his buddy than his girlfriend.
“Brad looked much more like the solo star here and more joyful when he joked about with Clooney,” she said.
“He glanced around excitedly and waved to the crowds with his brows steepled.”
She claimed Brad was trying to put on a show for the cameras.
James claimed Angelina and Brad had perhaps spotted an opportunity in Venice.
“After the split, Brad and Angelina finally got their ultimate revenge relationship moment,” she said.
“This came when they paraded these new partnerships at the Venice Film Festival.
“Brad’s cheeks were rounded to signal genuine enjoyment in his job.
“He stood slightly in front of Ines as they posed, or he walked in front clutching her hand with his own firmly on top.
“This suggested that he also wanted to show he was in the lead in this relationship.
“Ines showed signs of being calm, drama-free, and happy to let him define their relationship in public.
“Angelina’s ‘partner’ appeared even less complicated and similarly void.
“Their togetherness signals look set on void in most of these poses.
“Akala looked much less formal than Brad and Ines, and Akala and Angelina look more relaxed together.”
Angelina and Brad started divorce proceedings in 2016, with nasty legal battles continuing over their six kids and a vineyard in France.
But before their split, they were considered the height of A-list celebrity coupledome.
“Back then, they were depicted as the ultimate elegant, regal, Hollywood power couple,” said James.
“Brad had his boyish, playful charisma in his poses with Angelina.
“He favored the classic hand-in-one-pocket, chiseled-chin, manly, heroic look.”
And Angelina proudly marked her territory.
“Pouting, Angelina would place one hand on his chest to signal ownership and ward other women off like a hex,” James said.
With the film festival underway and amid their ongoing divorce, the exes premiered two movies, Maria for Angelina and Wolfs for Brad.
Festival artistic director Alberto Barbera said there was “no way that they can cross each other“ and told media any appearances were spread out.
When Angelina made her way across town with Akala, whose birth name is Kingslee James McLean Dale, they seemed close.
They were also spotted in Jamaica in May at the Calabash Literary Festival and in Milan in 2023.
InTouch reported that Angelina and Akala had been seeing each other for a year.
“He was very protective of them as he shepherded them around,” a source told the publication.
“I think a large part of her attraction to Akala, beyond the physical, is seeing him interact with her kids because that is so important to her,” they added.
