SHAY Mooney has been trying to boost his prospects on The Voice, and as the Knockouts get underway, a body language expert has said.
She claimed the country star has resorted to "soft behavioral techniques" and "non-sexual flirting," maybe with his eye on coaching solo for Season 26.
Battle Rounds on The Voice ended on Tuesday with a of Shay, 31, talking to Reba McEntire, John Legend, and host Carson Daily shared on Instagram.
“Reba, I feel like you are so far away. I would love it if you were over here and John was way down there," he grinned.
“You do smell really good,” Shay told John before adding, "It is always good to feel a little sexier."
“You look sexy dude,” he said to Carson.
Body language expert said the Grammy Award winner used his body to "power splay."
While contestants come and go each season, the judge's positions are never set in stone at the end.
In March, fans speculated online that Reba’s days might be numbered.
"They need to get rid of Reba since Dan + Shay are also countries- rock talent on the show who has no chance at winning- Reba's washed up and a has-been," wrote one Reddit follower.
“The Battle Rounds saw Shay sat with one hand dangling in front of his crotch," James told The U.S. Sun.
"His left arm extended in a directional splay to show power.
“When he addressed John Legend, he rubbed his hands together similarly.
“Speaking to Carson, Shay sat back in his chair and raised and lowered his shoulders.
"Shay behaved like a single guy in a nightclub anticipating a lap dance.
“This all might be fun banter for Shay, and he might feel it shows him that he is fearless.
“He avoided direct challenges and thinks he is smart by opting for these soft behavioral techniques.
“This is all called weaponized flirting, which he did all on his own.”
Dan Smyers, 36, and Shay joined The Voice for the first time in February as a duo team.
The famous NBC singing competition saw producers introduce a red double coach seat.
As previously reported by The U.S. Sun, James said the pair showed strain, with Dan using Shay as a "leaning post."
She claimed Shay had adopted new techniques because he was still unconfident.
“Although Shay has started to perform non-sexual flirting, this new body language will come from a place of fear, " she said
“Shay still feels threatened by stronger or higher-ranking people.
“This often happens in the workplace.
"It can be a move to lower the others and raise your feelings of power by making them uncomfortable and awkward.
“This means Shay could be trying the latter."
Shay is part of the duo Dan + Shay, which hit the country music scene over a decade ago.
Since 2012, they have amassed over 10 billion global streams with tracks like Tequila, Speechless, and From The Ground Up.
They separated for a brief spell in 2021.
In an interview with , Dan claimed they took time out because performing as a duo was "tough."
"I think life just happens,” he said.
“We've been doing this for 10 years, and being in a duo is the toughest configuration of being an artist," he added.
By March 2022, they were back together after not speaking for four months.
James claimed Shay could be "frightened" and acting like he wanted to move forward independently.
“Animals flirt with bigger animals in a display called sexual re-motivational technique," James added.
"Shay might be trying to keep the other animals from fighting him – so here he is reminding them of sex instead.
"He does not behave as a duo with Dan, but more like a young, frightened animal introduced to an existing hierarchy on his own.
Humans use non-sexual flirting to demean or diminish competitors.
Judi James
“Humans can use this technique frequently when faced with a new group.
"But humans also use non-sexual flirting to demean or diminish competitors.
“With Dan and the others, including Reba, this suggests what is happening for Shay here.”
After mentoring with Blake Shelton, 46, Reba's time on The Voice appears to be going from strength to strength.
She formerly joined Season 24 and returned for Season 25 when her first stint coaching was with pop star Gwen Stefani.
This saw the two women compete for attention on set simultaneously.
“Now we are seeing Shay take on Reba,” James said.
“Reba has reacted to his signaling by throwing a smile.
This looked more like a toleration gesture from Reba than any return of the non-sexual flirt play.
Judi James
“But instead of a congruent, authentic smile that starts with the eyes and extends to the mouth, she appeared to hike the corners of her mouth up.
“This looked more like a toleration gesture than any return of the non-sexual flirt play.
“Reba has maintained and strengthened her position on the show regardless.
"She often sits central and even to the front of their poses.
“The other coaches with their attention-focused behaviors as they all stand with their eyes in her direction.
“After Gwen left, Reba became the undisputed Queen Bee.";
In another clip, James highlighted how Reba has solidified her position on set.
“Reba’s piece-to-camera filming suggested confidence and leadership,” she said
“Her experience in the music business gives her this natural star-quality edge.
Shay was making pops at their authority and status.
Judi James
“When we see Reba with the other coaches, she also used a gesture of leadership.
“She showed authority and dominance when she pointed her finger at them all.
“Reba kept it waggling to show disapproval."
“Shay, unlike Reba, is the show newbie, along with his so-called partner Dan," added James.
“He can not chip away at the pecking order by challenging the alphas.
“After his sexy comments, Reba did not even react with a natural smile.
"The other coaches and host's rather sickly laughs suggested they might not have appreciated it.
Shay was making pops at their authority and status.
Judi James
“They may feel Shay was making pops at their authority and status.
"This is a competitive show, and all this might have been fun banter for Shay.
"But he seemed to be taking things to a new level with his non-sexual flirting gestures and banter."
