A bond that transcends the film set. A grasp on one another's thoughts. For nearly two decades,
these sisters have worked closely with one another. But is it all
authentic? A body language expert reveals the answer.
In the early 2000s, it was nearly impossible to go anywhere without seeing a reference to
the Olsen sisters. From the twins' beginnings on "Full House" to movies like the 2004's "New
York Minute," no one's star shined brighter than that of Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen.
Fans around the world just couldn't get enough of the sisters when a 2013 Allure
interview revealed that the Olsen twins would be shifting gears away from acting.
While their acting careers have since taken a backseat, the Olsen
twins have continued to work together growing their fashion empire. However,
many have wondered if the bond between Mary-Kate and Ashley has changed since they left Hollywood.
Throughout the ages, twins have been thought to share a language all their own. However,
"twin talk" is more about the intuitive way in which twins communicate, and refers to
non-verbal communication that stems from that closeness. Speaking exclusively to Nicki Swift,
body language specialist Jess Ponce III analyzed the body language between Mary-Kate
and Ashley Olsen, and his observations were very revealing. The communication coach explains,
"Mary-Kate and Ashley definitely have a bond."
Ponce pointed to the reassuring behavior the twins show towards one another in video interviews as
the prime example of their bond. He also noted that the twins show a hint of shyness in their
subtle gestures, and that they seem to have a soothing presence on each other. For instance,
when watching the sisters giving interviews together, Ponce says,
"They are assuring to one another, and seem to have one another's backs."
A number of publications have pointed to the sisters' unique way of piggybacking off one
another's thoughts. Throughout more than three decades of interviews, it's seemingly become
a habit for one sister to finish the other's sentences. That's hardly surprising, given that
in a 2018 WSJ Magazine interview, Ashley compared her relationship with Mary-Kate to a marriage.
Mary-Kate and Ashley may rely on "twin talk" in joint interviews,
but that's not to say they're too shy to go it on their own. Quite the contrary,
as Ponce explains that both sisters have a quiet confidence about them, saying,
"They are able to speak individually and as a unit. Their eyes reveal a comfortability
and ease when being asked questions. Even when they don't know the answer,
they seem to be self-assured that it is okay not to know. They are polished and confident."
"Literally, this has been our life,
and this is natural to us. We've been doing this since we were nine months old."
The Olsen twins had a childhood unlike any other
after finding fame all over the world. As Ponce notes,
"Growing up in the spotlight they are self-aware that the camera is on them and have an uncanny
ability to be demure and shy, while exhibiting confidence in who they are. Not an easy task."
Ponce also adds that while there can be no denying that the twins
use "twin talk" to send one another non-verbal signs of reassurance,
their communication is rarely exclusionary. Rather, he points out,
"They are conscientious and inclusive of others. [...] It's up to you,
as the interviewer, to engage or be intimidated by their connection."
One of the key cues Ponce picked up on when analyzing the Olsen
twins' body language was their authenticity. The author explains,
"They are clear, and, by all indications, genuine."
As such, there's no reason to doubt what the sisters themselves have said about
their bond over the years. Speaking to i-D in 2021, Ashley explained that their
innate understanding of one another meant that even in the absence of film crews,
they simply like working together. The former child star explained,
"You know, we definitely go by intuition and instinct and it can either confirm that feeling,
or if we’re both not feeling right about something, for some reason,
we just don’t do it. Our instincts are kind of
the same. But I think what’s great is that we have each other to lean on."
The Olsen twins have been co-workers for 36 years, and in each other's lives since day
one. Whether starring alongside one another in a blockbuster, or quietly building a fashion empire,
it's clear that they've found a winning formula. And what's even clearer is that
the Olsens have an undeniably strong relationship that continues to endure.
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