What Jhene Aiko and Big Sean’s Body Language Says About Their Relationship
There’s a reason Big Sean always has an arm slung around Jhené’s shoulders.
While it’s certainly not a requirement, it doesn’t hurt when a romantic relationship has its roots in friendship. And in Jhené Aiko and Big Sean’s case, their friendship, established three years before they made things official, was critical to their romance’s success.
In the beginning, circa 2012, the couple had no choice but to maintain a friendship, Jhené told Billboard in 2017. When Big Sean was interested in Jhené, she was in a relationship and when Jhené started catching feelings, Big Sean was dating someone else. So, they kept things platonic. They made beautiful music together (literally)—featuring each other on various songs and performing together before making their debut as a musical duo called Twenty88 and releasing an album under the same name.
Soon enough, however, their fans’ wishes became reality and the couple went from just friends to something more in 2016. Jhené described the shift in their relationship: “Obviously we worked together as well throughout our relationship. We did songs together. And then it just came to a point where it was like, 'I'm single, you're single, we love each other,'" she told Billboard. “We actually already loved each other as people and then it was like, 'Okay, let's just, you know, be together.' So, it was different because of that friendship. That comes first, we're friends before anything. We can bicker like a friendship.”
Their friendship is something body language expert Karen Donaldson says is evident in every move Big Sean and Jhené have made since making their relationship official. Ahead, she breaks down exactly how she knows that.
Intimacy comes easily to Jhené and Big Sean.
One look at Big Sean and Jhené's knees, which are angled toward each other, tells Donaldson the couple appreciates any chance they can have to be close to each other. "The way Big Sean comfortably touches her leg and Jhene does not object signals desire," she says.
Plus, "the physical space between them while sitting is minimal to none, and this indicates a high level of happiness and closeness in their relationship," Donaldson adds. Even while their attention is focused on the basketball game, she's confident Jhené and Big Sean have each other on the brain because of the way they're leaning toward each other.
Jhené knows Big Sean is 100% committed to their relationship.
"Her wide stance tells us she feels grounded and confident," says Donaldson. As Sean holds her waist, Jhené doesn't feel the need to latch onto him in any way, Donaldson points out, because Jhené knows he's not going anywhere. He's proven over their years together that he'll always be there for her.
Big Sean has Jhené's back.
"Once again, Jhene stands in front of Big Sean," Donaldson points out. By standing behind Jhené, he's communicating that he's prepared to have her back whenever she needs him to. And his arm around her shoulder (spoiler: body language you'll see from him more than a few times) is how he shows his love. It's a reminder to Jhené that he's there for her no matter what.
It's clear they've got history.
"The way in which Jhené sits on Big Sean's lap tells us that there has been some longevity to their relationship and that they’re highly comfortable with each other," Donaldson says.
They're also touching heads, which signals that they have similar mindsets. Plus, Sean's hand on Jhené's leg screams intimacy. Both also point to the fact that Jhené and Big Sean's relationship is one that was long established. You wouldn't see a new couple posing like this, says Donaldson, at least not this convincingly.
Though it took a while to establish, their love is the real deal.
There are two types of cheek kisses and what you're looking at now is the romantic kind. How can Donaldson tell? Because Big Sean's leaning into it. "It’s the way Big Sean's face is involved with the kiss from his nose to his chin. They all connect with Jhené's cheek."
"Once again he’s aiming to be more physically close to her by drawing her into him with his arm around her neck," Donaldson points out, because Big Sean is deeply committed to Jhené.
Her body language on the other hand: her puckered lips and popped leg say she's enjoying the moment.
Both Jhené and Big Sean are in this for the long haul and they want everyone to know.
"Big Sean's eyes are completely cast on Jhene, telling us he only has eyes for her," says Donaldson. And that smile means he's genuinely enjoying this moment he's sharing with Jhené.
Jhené's also holding Big Sean's arm around her, says Donaldson, "This is her way of outwardly telling the world that they belong together."
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