by Frank James
John Edwards cannot escape his hair.
The Washington Post has a Style section story today based on an interview with the presidential candidate's Beverly Hills hair stylist, Joseph Torrenueva, who gave Edwards those infamous $400 haircuts earlier this year.
Torrenueva tells all in the story, at least when it comes to how he got hooked up with Edwards and why the cuts costs so much.
And the story suggests that the reason Torrenueva may have decided to give up so many details is that he's miffed that tried to distance himself from his hairdresser when the story broke earlier this year.
In the days after the $400 haircut first caused a stir, Torrenueva did not give many details about his client to reporters who called or came by his Beverly Hills salon. But Torrenueva says he was hurt by Edwards's response to all the flap.
"I'm disappointed and I do feel bad. If I know someone, I'm not going to say I don't know them," he said. "When he called me 'that guy,' that hit my ears. It hurt." He paused and then added, "I still like him. . . . I don't want to hurt him."
Torrenueva may not have wanted to hurt Edwards, but the information he provided to the Post reporter sure doesn't help the presidential candidate. Edwards' opponents can be expected to be all over this one. They even have this useful Post graphic listing the haircuts with their prices.
For instance, the $400 a piece hair cuts weren't even the most expensive. In 2004, there was a $1,250 cut in Atlanta right before the Democratic National Convention. Torrenueva said he charged so much because he lost two-days work.
The pricey hairdresser also revealed that in 2003 he was part of a team, including clothes stylists, which Edwards met with at the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles to work on the candidate's physical image.
"There was a woman, an award-winning clothes designer -- I think she works in film and onstage, too. She was there with her swatches with materials for colors of suits, ties and what we were doing there was discussing his look. I was there for hair.
"What I did was, there was too much hair on top, always falling down, and it made him look too youthful. I took the top down and balanced everything out. He couldn't see it. But then we went into the bathroom. He looked in the mirror and said, 'I love this,' and that was it."
Edwards, who's been stuck far behind Sens. Hillary Clinton of New York, and Barack Obama of Illinois in national polls, needed this story like a persistent cowlick.
It just hardens (like too much mousse, perhaps?) the perception about him, rightly or wrongly, that he is just way too preoccupied with his physical appearance.
With some presidential candidates, the suspicion is that they would enter a Faustian pact, selling their souls to be president.
But with Edwards, the question seems to be not whether he would sell his soul. Rather, would he trade his hair to the devil, would he become bald, to become president? Based on this Torrenueva story, there might be some hesitation.
Of course, Edwards's willingness to spend so much on haircuts also clashes with his desire to be seen as a voice for the poor. As much as he talks about the two Americas, it's hard to hear what he's saying because his haircut, impeccable as it is, is just too loud.
Maybe he could turn all of this around by shaving his head.
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Comments
I don't know if Edwards should shave his head or not, but I'd be willing to bet that a lot of his supporters are pulling their hair out.
Posted by: Doug Zook | July 5, 2007 11:41 AM
If you work hard to build your wealth, remember where you came from, and understand the daily struggles other less fortunate people have I don't have a problem with fancy cars or fancy haircuts, if that is how you want to spend YOUR money. If on the other hand you buy luxury cars and fancy haircuts and are a complete a$$hole and talk down to parking valets, waitstaff, and other common folk, to hell with you.
Posted by: jethro | July 5, 2007 12:03 PM
And nobody cares that Dubya gets his suits custom made from The Oxxford Company, where suits START at $2,000 and go up to over $10,000 APIECE. I'd say that Edwards is better at managing his money compared to Dubya.
Posted by: BCq | July 5, 2007 12:08 PM
The President pardons a man who may be involved in a continuing criminal cover-up that could reach the highest levels of our government. And this is what the media focuses on. Journalism is officially dead in this country.
Posted by: Jay Gleason | July 5, 2007 12:08 PM
Sorry, Johnny Edwards (hmmmm John E., John Edwards, could they be one and the same?), but flying hair stylists all over the country and spending over a $1,000 on your hair shows vanity and cluelessness. Two America's? Ok, John. Time for the Breck Girl to leave the scene.
Posted by: John D | July 5, 2007 12:39 PM
Edwards is now a Republican's best friend. He has no prayer for the nomination, and all he will contribute from this point forward is mudslinging at Obama and Clinton. I doubt anyone would even want Edwards as their VP. He couldn't even deliver his own state in the 2004 election.
Posted by: Herbie H. | July 5, 2007 12:45 PM
Who cares what he pays for a haircut as long as he pays for it with his own money and it is not paid for by the taxpayers. Its not like he is costing taxpayers $44,000 a day with his security detail like Obama. Then again Edwards is not from IL where it is common practice to builk the taxpayers out of as much money as possible.
Posted by: Vinny | July 5, 2007 1:01 PM
***WOW***
Obama outraises Guiliani & Romney combined!!!
28% approval ratings don't stimulate change in the GOP.
Posted by: gus | July 5, 2007 1:19 PM
I don't fault him for paying $300 for a haircut. Its his money. How much better haircut do you get paying $300 versus $25? I don't know.
But he's your typical hypocrite politician. He plays the rich versus poor game, but most (even Democrats) see through him. He has no credibility. He earned his wealth by suing doctors for excessive amounts of money. He is part of the problem, yet he likes to talk about changing healthcare. If he or the other Democrats are successful in nationalizing healthcare, it will be the doom of this country. Could you imagine how wealthy Edwards would be if he could sue the Federal Government along with the physicians?
Posted by: Stu | July 5, 2007 1:25 PM
And Mr. James, this is a story exactly why?
Posted by: weinerdog43 | July 5, 2007 1:55 PM
John Edwards' twelve hundred dollars for a haircut would feed a family of five in my neighborhood for six weeks.
These millionaire presidential candidates are totally out of touch with the people whose votes they seek. By the way, how much does Hillary spend on her hairdos and why do not any reporters ask? Time to support bald headed candidatess.
Posted by: Shanika | July 5, 2007 1:57 PM
John Edwards' twelve hundred dollars for a haircut would feed a family of five in my neighborhood for six weeks.
These millionaire presidential candidates are totally out of touch with the people whose votes they seek. By the way, how much does Hillary spend on her hairdos and why do not any reporters ask? Time to support bald headed candidates.
Posted by: Shanika | July 5, 2007 1:57 PM
BCq, paying $2,000 or more for a suit is rather normal. Heck, you could go to your neighborhood Brooks Brothers store and easily pay $800 for one of their run-of-the-mill suits. And I'm sure all of Edwards suits are $2,000 and up as well.
But flying a hair stylsts all over the country, paying airfares and hotel stays is NOT good use of one's money!
AS many have said, it is Edward's money (though he says his staff takes care of arrangements and payments, so who knows if it his money or not), but clearly he is not one of us with $1,250 haircuts!!
Posted by: John D | July 5, 2007 2:17 PM
wow what a non-story...
Posted by: j33 | July 5, 2007 2:52 PM
Um, he didn't use his personal money. It was paid from his campaign coffers. Those who donate to political campaigns expect their money to be spent wisely.
This is one Dem who who would be too embarassed to support Edwards.
Posted by: Chad | July 5, 2007 3:03 PM
There needs to be a medium to which all nonsensical news stories are sent that are invisible to everyone who does not care to even hear about nonsensical news.
Definition of nonsensical news: Items of no consequence to people who don't want to know about them. For example, Edward's hair, Paris H, Anna Nicole,
Just think of the energy it would save us by not having to cleanse oneself of ear noise.
Posted by: GW | July 5, 2007 3:08 PM
"spending over a $1,000 on your hair "
Posted by: John D | July 5, 2007 12:39 PM
"John Edwards' twelve hundred dollars for a haircut "
Posted by: Shanika | July 5, 2007 1:57 PM
"but clearly he is not one of us with $1,250 haircuts!!"
Posted by: John D | July 5, 2007 2:17 PM
I just love the way you Neocon right wingnuts continually exaggerate the amount Edwards spent on a haircut, even being so pathetic as to INCREASE the dollar amount every chance you can. Ah, the smell of right wingnut desperation!
"And I'm sure all of Edwards suits are $2,000 and up as well."
Posted by: John D | July 5, 2007 2:17 PM
Got any PROOF of this allegation, John D., or like Paulo's typical rants, is this just another one of your fabrications?
Posted by: Anonymous | July 5, 2007 3:29 PM
Shanika, the Washington Post is reporting that the Queen Bitch has paid as much as $3,000 for two hair stylist sessions with Isabelle Goetz. Actually the story says her Senate campaign paid for them, so I guess it's Ok to use campaign cash to get high-priced haircuts.
Posted by: John D | July 5, 2007 3:34 PM
And nobody makes a peep about Laura Bush spends $700 EVERY TIME she visits her New York City based hair stylist, something she said on national TV to Barbara Walters.
She "clearly isn't one of us" EITHER!
Posted by: BC | July 5, 2007 3:35 PM
Oh "anonymous" here is the link to the Washington Post article. I would think the Washington Post is a good enough source for you? And by the way, Mr. Clueless, I do not fabricate!
The $1,250 includes the haircut, flight and hotel stay. Sorry, but flying a hair stylist all over the country just to snip some hair seems very vain, very ridiculous and very Barbie doll to me!!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/04/AR2007070401258_pf.html
Posted by: John D | July 5, 2007 4:59 PM
Shrub gets his hair cut by Isabelle Goetz?
I thought he did it himself. Sure looks that way.
Posted by: weinerdog43 | July 5, 2007 5:25 PM
Wow, another hard-hitting John Edwards haircut story by the Trib! Did you assign your student worker to write it while you went to the Taste?
Posted by: J.E. | July 5, 2007 5:30 PM
Posted by John D July 5, 2007 4:59 PM
I'm laughing at the rich white guy Republicans who are trying to make an issue out of the cost of a haircut, that would include you Little Boyscout Johnny.
Here's a quote about the Chimp in Chief from the late great Molly Ivins:
"George W Bush was born on third base and thinks he hit a triple".
Posted by: John E | July 5, 2007 6:46 PM
Let them eat cake.....
......but for those of you who want a real story here's the list of clinton pardon's. Good read.
http://www.usdoj.gov/pardon/clintonpardon_grants.htm
Posted by: CarleneM | July 5, 2007 7:35 PM
Oh Johnny E., thanks for lumping me as "a rich, white Republican." While I'd love to be rich, I am not and in fact I get my haircut at Great Clips or the Hair Cuttery for like $13, $15 with tip.
But then, since you live in mummy's and duddy's basement, have no job, hence no income, I guess anything to rich to you!
Posted by: John D | July 5, 2007 11:39 PM
Another hit piece on John Edwards by John Solomon. How much money has Solomon earned from the RNC for his carefully crafted non-stories? A hairdresser that commands very handsome fees for his work is "hurt" by Edwards distancing himself. Boo-hoo.
Subject area aside, this is another example of the media's laziness. Print a story with nebulous facts and then sit back and enjoy the buzz. John Kass and Bob Greene perfected this technique here at the Trib, but they are not alone. Is the haicut the story or is it these jerkoffs talking about it?
Posted by: Catherine | July 6, 2007 9:38 AM
What do you people do for a living? If you were asked to travel for your job, wouldn't you expect to be reimbursed for your time and travel expenses? If you were asked to skip two days of work in your office and do your work somewhere else without pay, would you do it? Or would you expect to be paid for those two days? Would you not get a cut or style before a job interview? You would show up at an interview with grey or kinky roots showing or with broken ends, or fuzzy neck hair that needs shaving? These candidates are "interviewing"-- constantly-- for the job of their lives and you want them to look like slobs?
Posted by: Gwen | July 28, 2007 8:07 AM