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Jenelle Evans wants to ‘celebrate the teen years she never had’ – but she’s faking her ‘carefree’ attitude, says expert
Jenelle's behavior may be a way to cope with current traumas, says a body language pro
TEEN Mom's Jenelle Evans has been trying to show the world she's coping in the wake of her nasty marriage breakdown, a body language expert has said.
But she claimed the mom of three's "movie star" poses in an MTV trailer and "fresh start" messaging was fake.
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Jenelle, 32, is set to make a snap appearance on Teen Mom: The Next Chapter, returning after a five-year hiatus.
Jenelle left the franchise in 2019 after her soon-to-be ex David Eason, 41, killed their bulldog.
MTV shared a for Season 2 on Friday that shows the influencer confidently strutting down a street.
"I think it’ll be good to have a fresh start," Jenelle said. She added "Let's go!" with celebration emojis on X, formerly Twitter.
Body language expert said Jenelle pretended to be like a “movie star” despite the difficulty she experienced at home.
Jenelle filed for separation from David in February after six years of marriage.
Jenelle’s long, thick hair and stylish outfit make it look more like she is in a glamorous movie trailer.
Judi James
The couple met on Tinder in 2018. After tying the knot, David and Jenelle endured a turbulent relationship.
The difficulties reportedly affected their daughter Ensley, Jenelle's sons Jace and Kaiser, and David's daughter Marissa.
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In 2018, Jenelle accused Eason of assault. After they split in 2019 and 2020, Jenelle returned to David both times.
“Given her ongoing personal issues, Jenelle was seen making her big reality comeback in the trailer," James told The U.S. Sun.
"She acted like a returning movie star and looked like she had already achieved this glittering success.
“Jenelle appeared almost in slow motion, walking calmly upright and alone.
“The clip showed Jenelle with her head turned away from the camera.
“The designer shades hid her eyes and was her attempt to suggest she does not want any attention-seeking air time.
Teen Mom Jenelle Evans’ ex David Eason bans daughter Ensley from show as star set to film with sons Jace and Kaiser
“But Jenelle’s long, thick hair and stylish outfit make it look more like she is in a glamorous movie trailer [or on] Selling Sunset.
"For her, she is not on a Teen Mom reality show anymore."
QUALITY CAST
James noticed that the other Teen Mom cast members looked different.
“What is also difficult to watch is the sea of clips of acutely tragic lifestyles of the other stars versus Jenelle," she said.
“Jenelle's body language reflected this confidence and star quality compared to the others featured.”
Other stars in Season 2 include Teen Mom alums Jade Cline and Cheyenne Floyd.
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Page Six shared a photo of Jenelle in Florida with fellow Teen Mom star Briana DeJesus in May.
The North Carolina native's personal life has garnered more attention than the other stars.
After filing for separation from David, Jenelle was granted a domestic violence protective order against him.
[It's] inauthentic peacocking ... Jenelle is trying too hard to have fun and look daring and playful.
Judi James
She cited "erratic" behavior, "substance abuse" problems, and a "refusal" to work on the document filings.
She detailed her ex's alleged violent behavior and claimed that David was "emotionally abusive" toward her and her kids.
Jenelle suffered anxiety and stress and has been open about experiencing "esophageal spasms," which are contractions of the esophagus muscles that result in chest pain and trouble swallowing.
The May ruling said because of David's erratic behavior, Jenelle suffered vomiting.
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Jenelle has shared various clips and videos with her kids and partying with friends.
She posted a on Instagram on May 17 where she seemed to brag about how many drinks she had after a night out.
“So many people kept feeding me shots,” she said before confirming she had 10 drinks.
“Train wreck. On Mother’s Day?” commented one follower.
TRYING TEEN
James said Jenelle’s body language looked inauthentic, and that was where her "peacocking" first came into play.
“This is drunken bragging," she said.
“Like in the trailer, here is inauthentic peacocking because Jenelle is trying too hard to have fun and look daring and playful.
Counting drinks is only impressive to other teens, and this, therefore, looks like she is trying to reclaim her youth.
Judi James
“Jenelle’s gestures define more here what is known as Inauthentic Female Peacocking Behaviour.
“This might form a display intended to make her stand out from the crowd and show desirability as a mate.
“The IFPB is usually seen in young teenage girls who shout a lot or adopt a loud, piercing laugh to grab the attention of a male mate.
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“Flamboyant gestures and laughter plus over-expressive gesticulation are all part of the ritual.
“It could signal a desire to delete recent history and move forward by going backward, like the movie Back to the Future.
“Jenelle has moved back to a state of young teen-hood to cope with current traumas."
The star's video of herself drinking, James added, "looks more like it was made by teenagers than an adult mom."
“Counting drinks is only impressive to other teens, and this, therefore, looks like she is trying to reclaim her youth," she said.
Jenelle made her reality TV debut in 2010 by appearing in 16 & Pregnant Season 2.
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Her first turbulent relationship with Kieffer Delp was featured on the first four seasons of Teen Mom 2 until they split in 2012.
Jenelle had moved to the franchise with reality stars like Leah Messer and Chelsea Houska.
Now, Jenelle is seeking a new life as a single mom again.
The restraining order from David will last six months, which James said must be affecting her.
OPEN-MOUTHED
“Jenelle’s restraining order against husband David could have created a desire to act unrestrained herself,” she said.
“When you sound like you are living in fear, a method of coping can be to show bravado and appear carefree.
“In this case, performing some actions guaranteed to shock and even gross out some viewers.
“We also see messy satiation, like her open-mouth eating to the camera.”
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Two days after Jenelle’s drinking clip, she shared another where she participated in a .
The reality star was piling fried food into her mouth with her friend while playing rock paper scissors.
“This is so juvenile. We DO NOT need to see the inside of Jenelle’s mouth,” commented one follower.
“I thought Jenelle had esophagus/swallowing problems?” asked another.
SINGLE PORTION
“This food challenge has prompted Jenelle to behave like this, and she does more than run with it,” said James.
“She is seen stuffing chips and dip into her mouth in a way that makes you either laugh or be repelled.
“Jenelle has now decided she wants to celebrate the teen years she never had before, thanks to being a young mom.
Jenelle is seen returning to the time and the behaviors when it worked best.
Judi James
"It is perhaps appropriate that she returns to the show as a single one."
“If clumsy attraction signals to find a new mate and a reversal to a youth she never really had aren’t enough to explain her behavior in these videos,” added James.
“With all the trauma around David, Jenelle might feel desperate for things to work now.
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“Jenelle is seen returning to the time and the behaviors when it worked best.
“Jenelle's behaviors mimic the kind of irresponsible and daring rituals of the teenage years.”
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