How stars like Cardi B & Megan Fox use the Boob Squeeze as a ultimate A-list status symbol & it’s NOT for men’s benefit

CELEBRITIES have been increasingly embracing their inner goddess in many bold and attention-grabbing ways. 

Whether strutting down the red carpet or snapping a quick selfie for their millions of Instagram followers, A-listers and reality stars alike have adopted the ‘up-thrust’ pose.

This involves them holding their breasts with both hands and pushing towards the camera for a striking effect.

But there is more to the pose than meets the eye. 

Body language expert Judi James believes that the “instantly upstaging trick” is seen as a status symbol.

She says: “The squeezing motion will be seen to enhance the appearance of the breasts by making them look fuller, firmer and more rounded, with a deeper cleavage.

“The deeper the cleavage the more intense the mimicry of the real sexual arousal feature, the bum.

“In body language terms it’s traditionally a teasing, provocative display aimed at arousing sexual interest and admiration. 

“As a flirty act of self-touch it can imply or be read as an unsubtle ‘your hands here’ message, like leg-caressing or lip-touching to get the guy imagining how that act might feel.

“But there are much more current implications to breast-squeezing. 

“For a genuine A-list star the message is more ironic, ie ‘I got here via talent, not thanks to these!’ 

“Or it can be a quasi-aggressive power-move, as in ‘They’re mine! You can look but you can never touch!’ 

“Breast-squeezing can be seen as the new status symbol too.

“Many celebs have paid good money to get their breasts enhanced, and showing off the expensive, high-end work can be as symbolic as flaunting a designer watch or handbag.”

Here, Judi reveals to YASMIN HARISHA the meaning behind other female celebrities who think this pose is the breast.

Cardi B

The proud pose

The rapper, 32, adapted the pose whilst celebrating her birthday this year. 

She took to Instagram to reveal that she was wearing her “little thotty” dress after having to get changed due to her old outfit not having “enough fabric.” 

Cardi B posed for the camera to show off her black cut-out dress which showed off her cleavage.

Judi says: “Cardi’s auto-contact gesture here is dissociative, meaning she’s lifting the breasts and promoting them by pushing them forward.

“Her spiked fingers are splayed and the fingertips bent backward, meaning the touch is remote and impersonal, like she’s displaying objects to the camera rather than body parts, in a signal of power. 

“She looks proud of her breasts but this is a boast gesture rather than a mutual arousal display.”

Cate Blanchette 

The intellectual tease

Attending the 81st Venice film Festival, Cate looked sophisticated as she cupped her breasts. 

The actress, 55, rocked the red-carpet wearing a black v-neck black blazer and trousers. 

Judi says: “Cate is a quality actor with no history of overt sexual signalling to gain attention.

“This ‘spontaneous’ breast-grab looks more like a protection ritual than any enhancing or flaunting of the boobs. 

“Her jacket looks very low cut at the front and this might have been an instinctive covering-up to check she wasn’t flashing to the cameras. 

“It’s an intellectual tease though as she still draws attention to her cleavage even though she pretends to hide it here.”

Madonna

The 'fake' pose

She has become known for her 'out there' pictures on Instagram, and so it's no wonder why Madonna joined in on the trend.

And it looks like the singer, 66, had her hands full with this picture.

Judi says: "Madonna's cupping pose with both hands is shot from above, making her look compliant, suggestive and as though she's advertising her sexuality to the viewer.

"As it's Madonna performing the pose though it's ironic, 'fake' advertising from one of the most unapproachable, unobtainable women in the world.

"Her pose suggests she's offering temptation our way but the looks is all part of the A-list brand and designed to shock rather than actually flirt."

Kylie Jenner 

The provocative one 

She's a mum-of-two and a self-made billionaire, so it's no surprise that she might not always be ready for a fully made-up Instagram picture. 

However, even though we can't see her face and she quickly snapped this shot just after a shower, Kylie is still showing that she's on trend with this snap.

Judi comments: “This is a casual-looking ‘just out of the shower and drinking a coffee’ pose which makes the supporting arm look as though it has a practical function.

“She is keeping the towel in place while propping the breasts (avoiding any dipping or dunking accidents with the hot drink). 

“But Kylie leans forward and bares her neck at the same time, making this a provocative, teasing display that reminds the viewer of her breasts."

Beyonce 

The statement pose

When it comes to making a statement, Beyonce always knows how to do so. 

The 43-year-old went for a big when she went for the grab as she dressed up as Pamela Anderson for Halloween this year. 

Judi says: “This pose looks undeniably sexy but there is tension in both the fingers.

“The cupping looks functional in terms of pressing the breasts together to enhance the cleavage.

“The way the thumbs are facing downwards isn’t the ‘normal’ way of cupping, which could suggest that it doesn't come so naturally to her.”

Megan Fox 

The Rock Chick pose 

This actress is never one to shy away from the camera, especially when it comes to flaunting her assets. 

Megan, 38, took a hold of the pose whilst wearing a black corset and was cheeky with it too. 

Judi comments: “This boob-squeeze is all about confidence and challenge. 

“The hands are held over the breasts but not clutching them or changing their shape by lifting or squeezing. 

“The fingers are splayed to create a ‘prison bars’ function and the long talons are stretched out like cat claws to suggest ‘This girl might bite’."

Addison Rae 

The flirtatious pose

This American singer and TikTok sensation, Addison Rae is also grabbing hold of the trend. 

The 24-year-old showed off her enviable abs by giving herself an uplift. 

“This is a complex breast-squeeze ritual with the hands clutching at the ribs below the breasts while the breasts themselves are squeezed with what looks like masking tape,” says Judi. 

“The tape looks flattening and restrictive, like a nipple blindfold, and the hands look awkward, more like a re-directional gesture than a signal of any enjoyment. 

“The way her head is tilted back suggests a desire to present this as a sexual flirt ritual but it’s a look that could probably be called niche.”

Helen Flanagan 

The status pose 

Never one to shy away from embracing her skin for a picture is Helen Flanagan. 

The mum-of-three adapted the striking pose whilst modelling a bright pink bikini.

Judi says: “Helen keeps her boobs centre stage here, thrusting them straight at the camera and pretending to do a little window-dressing at the same time by raising her hands in what looks like adjustment rituals to her pink bikini. 

“Her head tilt is a questioning gesture and her smile suggests pure pride at her pair here.

“She’s showing she has no need to squeeze or cup these beauties, they look perfect without enhancement, her hands just point the viewer’s direction towards them.”