Jamie Foxx was being "careful with his movements" as he was seen in public for the first time since his terrifying hospital dash back in April.
A body language expert has said the actor, 55, appeared to be trying to "protect" himself and created "a barrier between his chest and his fans" as he held his arm across his chest.
Jamie smiled and waved at fans and even flashed them a peace sign as he cruised down the Chicago River on a boat over the weekend. The outing comes after he was rushed to hospital back in April following a "medical complication".
Speaking exclusively to The Mirror body language expert Inbaal Honigman said: "He waves kindly, but not enthusiastically, which suggests that he may need to be careful with his movements and is under doctor's orders to not be excessively physical.
"There's an interesting quirk in his movements - he waves, then lowers his arm halfway. He doesn't lower his arm fully, for quite a while.
"There is no apparent reason to keep his arm at half mast, so this appears to be a protective gesture. His arm creates a barrier between his chest and his fans.
"This could be emotional, if Jamie feels too exposed and wants to keep himself to himself. Or this could be physical, if he is medically concerned and protecting his chest area."
Celebrity psychic Inbaal added that Jamie seemed "genuinely pleased" to see his fans.
"He maintains eye contact, looking at the people for a while, rather than dismissing them and going back to his phone. His smile is broad and happy, showing his teeth, and his head is turned in their direction.
"This shows that he's not faking it, he's delighted to have made their day," she said.
Body language expert Judi James agreed that he seemed to be genuinely happy to be able to communicate with his fans once again.
"His posture looks relaxed, his arm looks healthily muscular and his smile appears to be one of authentic pleasure as he uses non-verbal signalling to the fans here, suggesting he is happy to be communicating with them again and keen to reassure he is doing ok.
"He's sitting high up and visible here, even looking in charge of the boat rather than tucked away on or below the deck," she told us.
She also said that Jamie's peace sign is "a gesture that is also used as a sign of victory or reassurance" and suggested the actor "could be in celebratory mode".
Judi added: "Then there is what looks like a second hand gesture to signal he might be in celebratory mode or that he has hopefully beaten any health problems. The left hand seems to perform a bit of an air punch as the boat moves along."
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