John Edwards' Hair Stylist Tells All (Wizbang)

Ann Coulter better watch out because the Edwards campaign is in deep trouble...

Splitting Hairs, Edwards's Stylist Tells His Side of Story
Man Behind Pricey 'Dos Details Long Relationship
For four decades, Joseph Torrenueva has cut the hair of Hollywood celebrities, from Marlon Brando to Bob Barker, so when a friend told him in 2003 that a presidential candidate needed grooming advice, he agreed to help.

The Beverly Hills hairstylist, a Democrat, said he hit it off with then-Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina at a meeting in Los Angeles that brought several fashion experts together to advise the candidate on his appearance. Since then, Torrenueva has cut Edwards's hair at least 16 times.

At first, the haircuts were free. But because Torrenueva often had to fly somewhere on the campaign trail to meet his client, he began charging $300 to $500 for each cut, plus the cost of airfare and hotels when he had to travel outside California.

Torrenueva said one haircut during the 2004 presidential race cost $1,250 because he traveled to Atlanta and lost two days of work.

$1,250 for a haircut? What do you think he'll do to the federal budget?

"He has nice hair," the stylist said of Edwards in an interview. "I try to make the man handsome, strong, more mature and these are the things, as an expert, that's what we do."
It is some kind of commentary on the state of American politics that as Edwards has campaigned for president, vice president and now president again, his hair seems to have attracted as much attention as, say, his position on health care. But when his campaign reported in April that it had paid for two of his haircuts at $400 each, the political damage was immediate. With each punch line on late night TV his image as a self-styled populist making poverty his signature issue was further eroded.

Edwards said that he was embarrassed by the cost and that he "didn't know it would be that expensive," suggesting the haircuts were some kind of aberration given by "that guy" his staff had arranged. His wife, Elizabeth, made lots of jokes at her husband's expense and the campaign wished the whole issue would go away.

But Torrenueva's account of his long relationship with Edwards -- the first he's given -- probably guarantees that won't happen quite yet. And if $400 seemed a lot for a haircut, how about one for three times that?

I guess when Edwards talks of two Americas he really knows what he is talking about. How many people in the real America pay $1,250 for a haircut?

This also puts the "great lie" to the lame excuse he didn't know what his haircuts cost. How many of you fly your stylist around the country? Certainly if Edwards is in Atlanta and the guy who cuts his hair in California shows up, he knows the guy flew in. - And the guy cut his hair 16+ times, it's not like Edwards didn't know who the guy was.

Edwards is going down in a rocketship. Time to get his wife to attack another conservative.

Comments (76)

People seem to be overly co... (Below threshold)

1. Posted by Rance | July 5, 2007 5:59 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Rance:

People seem to be overly concerned with how much of his own money John Edwards spends on his haircuts.
It may be extravagant, but it's his money.

I would be more concerned about how much it has cost/will cost the taxpayers for repeated and lengthy trips to Crawford.

Last count I can find is from back in April. It tallies 63 trips for a total of 405 days, either entirely or partially, at the "ranch".

How much is the public paying so the president can have his brush cut?

Posted on July 5, 2007 05:59

Were you concerned when tax... (Below threshold)

2. Posted by Gianni | July 5, 2007 6:26 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Gianni:

Were you concerned when taxpayers paid for Hildebeats's senatorial campaign trips to NY?

How bout that fiasco of an India trip?

Edwards certainly is an empty suit, with empty values, and has as much chance of winning the Presidency as libs have of ending the senseless murder of THOUSANDS of innocent babies every day.

Posted on July 5, 2007 06:26

More and more some of the w... (Below threshold)

3. Posted by JFO | July 5, 2007 6:44 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

JFO:

More and more some of the writers on Whizbang ( Jay and D.J excepted), particularly the author of this post, are turning this blog into the blog equivalent of The National Enquirer. Devoid of ideas of any consequence (the entire Republican right wing), mourning the death throes of a failed and corrupt presidency and a corrupt republican congress you are left with nothing more than to whine about and mock someone's haircut, Al Gore's son (another author without an idea), and rationalize your parties law and order credo when it comes to a convicted felon.

A reasonable question is why then am I here? Well, I confess to reading through The National Enquirer in the checkout line. at the grocery store. It's kinda the same thing - a certain prurient interest. The difference is I get to state my opinion here - a great american tradition and value.

Posted on July 5, 2007 06:44

What makes you think your o... (Below threshold)

4. Posted by wavemaker | July 5, 2007 6:47 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

wavemaker:

What makes you think your opinion is worth stating?

Posted on July 5, 2007 06:47

I do. Just as you do yours.... (Below threshold)

5. Posted by JFO | July 5, 2007 6:55 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

I do. Just as you do yours. LOL

Posted on July 5, 2007 06:55

The thing is, I can't see t... (Below threshold)

6. Posted by Robert the Original | July 5, 2007 7:07 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Robert the Original:

The thing is, I can't see this guy without thinking of that video, then I start laughing.

Posted on July 5, 2007 07:07

"Look at me, look at me, ge... (Below threshold)

7. Posted by j h-berry | July 5, 2007 7:32 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

j h-berry:

"Look at me, look at me, getting my name out there is more important than supporting a good man w/ a GREAT message."

Posted on July 5, 2007 07:32

Well now. Don't forget, tha... (Below threshold)

8. Posted by WildWillie | July 5, 2007 7:37 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

WildWillie:

Well now. Don't forget, that when this first came out, he was using his campaign money for this. Then when it was found out, that elusive staff member did this. You dimmers can bundle this up all you want but it still is an extreme waste of money. Go ahead a protect him libbers, it will only help us in the future. My haircut cost $11.00. Maybe I'll give his name to the Johnny campaign. No, that won't work, that is the other america he doesn't like. ww

Posted on July 5, 2007 07:37

It's Edwards' money and he ... (Below threshold)

9. Posted by hermie | July 5, 2007 7:52 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

hermie:

It's Edwards' money and he can spend it anyway he wants.

But PLEASE...don't go spouting off about 'Two Americas', promoting the usual class warfare garbage, and then expect everyone to shut up about your hypocrisy.

Posted on July 5, 2007 07:52

My haircut cost $11.00. ... (Below threshold)

10. Posted by Steve L. | July 5, 2007 8:16 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Steve L.:

My haircut cost $11.00. Maybe I'll give his name to the Johnny campaign.

I'll do you one better. The guy here that I use charges $9. I can save Johnnyboy another $2.

I absolutely, 100% agree with the assertion that Edwards' money is his and he should do with it as he pleases. In fact, I couldn't agree more. As suh, I also belive that my money is mine and I should be allowed to do with it as I please. The government doesn't and shouldn't have any claims to it or its use.

Posted on July 5, 2007 08:16

I'm so smart. I'm going to ... (Below threshold)

11. Posted by Publicus | July 5, 2007 8:37 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Publicus:

I'm so smart. I'm going to pick a president based on the haircut issue.

Posted on July 5, 2007 08:37

But PLEASE...don't... (Below threshold)

12. Posted by Publicus | July 5, 2007 8:38 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Because there's no poverty in America...or if there is, nobody should be talking about it.

Posted on July 5, 2007 08:38

Again and again, publicus m... (Below threshold)

13. Posted by WildWillie | July 5, 2007 8:39 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Again and again, publicus misses the point. ww

Posted on July 5, 2007 08:39

What's funny is the Google ... (Below threshold)

14. Posted by Oyster | July 5, 2007 8:45 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Oyster:

What's funny is the Google ads at the bottom of the page right now:

Edwards John
Beauty Hair
Facial Hair
Hair Clipper
Hair Cuts

Posted on July 5, 2007 08:45

Rance:People s... (Below threshold)

15. Posted by marc | July 5, 2007 9:02 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

marc:

And you can prove he used his own money? If so how?

As someone noted when the story first broke his staff had to backpeddle after all accounts said the cash came from campaign funds.

Well good for you, I hope it makes you happy. Your snark aside, I doubt many people do, but that's not the issue is it?

Posted on July 5, 2007 09:02

Apparently publicists CANNO... (Below threshold)

16. Posted by Adrian Browne | July 5, 2007 9:06 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Adrian Browne:

Apparently publicists CANNOT underestimate the gullibility of people.

It's focusing on issues like John Edward's hair that puts miscreants into the Oval Office.

BTW -- Fred Thompson's spokesman says that you'd like to have a beer with him.

Posted on July 5, 2007 09:06

And for the record ABC h... (Below threshold)

17. Posted by marc | July 5, 2007 9:10 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

And for the record ABC had the story as did CNN, CBS and Fox.

Looking pretty is costing John Edwards' presidential campaign a lot of pennies. The Democrat's campaign committee picked up the tab for two haircuts at $400 each by celebrity stylist Joseph Torrenueva of Beverly Hills, Calif., according to a financial report filed with the Federal Election Commission.

Rance, how would you like your crow cooked?

Or do you eat your meat raw like Rosie?

Posted on July 5, 2007 09:10

Go for it Paul, make this... (Below threshold)

18. Posted by civil behavior | July 5, 2007 9:30 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

civil behavior:

Go for it Paul, make this a one issue campaign.....the cost of a haircut. That's the best you can do your dog man Romney should win in a landslide.

You are one foolish stupid Americano.

Posted on July 5, 2007 09:30

I'll bet you one good hai... (Below threshold)

19. Posted by civil behavior | July 5, 2007 9:33 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

I'll bet you one good haircut and raise you one dead dog.......

How embarassing it must be nowadays to be a 28% deadender.

Posted on July 5, 2007 09:33

I love when liberals whine ... (Below threshold)

20. Posted by Paul | July 5, 2007 9:53 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Paul:

I love when liberals whine like on this post.. I know it means they are stung.

The fact is everyone knows that running on a "Two Americas" platform whist spending over 1000 bucks on a haircut is abject stupidity.

Posted on July 5, 2007 09:53

For his trade, I don... (Below threshold)

21. Posted by pennywit | July 5, 2007 9:56 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

pennywit:

For his trade, I don't think Edwards' hair guy was out of line for charging $1,250. After all, if your regular rate is $250 per cut, and you're having to give up a day of that for one client, then, yeah, you charge the client that much.

Also ... did that $1,250 figure include services as an image consultant? If so, you're moving beyond hair into something a bit more substantive, which might justify the extra cost.

Can't blame the guy for charging $1,250. But for a guy to be willing to pay $1,250? That's a little much.

--|PW|--

Posted on July 5, 2007 09:56

CB:How embaras... (Below threshold)

22. Posted by marc | July 5, 2007 10:01 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

CB:

How embarassing [sic] it must be nowadays to be a 28% deadender.

How embarrassing it must be to never post anything of substance or close to being on topic.

Posted on July 5, 2007 10:01

Wonder if Edwards hired a g... (Below threshold)

23. Posted by DBCooper | July 5, 2007 10:13 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

DBCooper:

Wonder if Edwards hired a gay illegal to do his hair??

Posted on July 5, 2007 10:13

Something of substance? You... (Below threshold)

24. Posted by JFO | July 5, 2007 10:13 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Something of substance? You have to be joking. Surley you didn't mean that. This is the umpteenth post about a guy's haircut for heavens sake! Why? Because the right wing of this country has no ideas of any substance to talk about!

That has to be one of the funniest comments I've ever read!!

marc,So I stand co... (Below threshold)

25. Posted by Rance | July 5, 2007 10:22 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

marc,

So I stand corrected. It was the campaign's money.
It still isn't the taxpayer's money.

That's what gets spent every time the "Brushcutter in Chief" goes to Crawford to do his thing.

As far as Rosie, that's a bit of non sequitur, isn't it?

Posted on July 5, 2007 10:22

DBCooper,There you... (Below threshold)

26. Posted by Robert the Original | July 5, 2007 10:33 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

DBCooper,

There you are! We've been waiting so long...

Posted on July 5, 2007 10:33

JFO I have to ask... ... (Below threshold)

27. Posted by Paul | July 5, 2007 10:46 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

JFO I have to ask...

Did you think that Bush's drunk driving arrest -leaked just days before the election- was important?

Posted on July 5, 2007 10:46

It really doesn't matter wh... (Below threshold)

28. Posted by Steve L. | July 5, 2007 11:12 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

It really doesn't matter whose money it is. The bigger issue is that this story paints Edwards as a big, fat liar. When the $400 haircut story first borke, he claimed that he didn't know how much his haircut cost because some obscure, unnamed staffer made an appointment for him and he (Edwards) just provided the hair. Now, according to this story we find out that the same guy has been cutting his hair for 4 years. If that is the case, either Edwards is a liar or he is incredibly dumb.

Posted on July 5, 2007 11:12

Pretty bird, up high in ban... (Below threshold)

29. Posted by kim | July 5, 2007 11:51 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

kim:

Pretty bird, up high in banana tree.
Please wave hi, your fans can't wait to see.
What price for you?
Wheat price to do.
Break some bread and we'll see.
==========================

Posted on July 5, 2007 11:51

Paul:Absolutely no... (Below threshold)

30. Posted by JFO | July 5, 2007 12:15 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Absolutely not. It was a dirty trick, but one which the Bush family and many Republicans probably secretly admired.

Posted on July 5, 2007 12:15

HE's so damn Perty!<p... (Below threshold)

31. Posted by Mitchell | July 5, 2007 12:32 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Mitchell:

HE's so damn Perty!

Perty mouth, too. Heh.

Loser trial lawyer from HEll.

Posted on July 5, 2007 12:32

Mitchell:Lawyer en... (Below threshold)

32. Posted by JFO | July 5, 2007 12:36 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Lawyer envy? Undoubtedly.

Posted on July 5, 2007 12:36

Paul, the lefties are obvio... (Below threshold)

33. Posted by WildWillie | July 5, 2007 12:51 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Paul, the lefties are obviously embarrassed by this action coupled on top of Edwards attempt to use Ann Coulter to raise money, they are sinking. When the lefties whine, I know we're right. I love the Scooter commutation. What a day to read the comments. Pure entertainment. ww

Posted on July 5, 2007 12:51

I don't go so much by whini... (Below threshold)

34. Posted by C-C-G | July 5, 2007 1:31 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

C-C-G:

I don't go so much by whining (though that is a good indicator), I go by when they attack me personally. That usually means I've scored a hit.

Posted on July 5, 2007 13:31

By the way, John Edwards ca... (Below threshold)

35. Posted by C-C-G | July 5, 2007 2:06 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

By the way, John Edwards can talk about "Two Americas" all he wants.

Stories like this, however, highlight which one he belongs to.

And that's what's got the lefties spinning like mad.

Posted on July 5, 2007 14:06

The bigger issue i... (Below threshold)

36. Posted by Publicus | July 5, 2007 2:13 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

The bigger issue is that this story paints Edwards as a big, fat liar.

Okay, this guy didn't spend too much on a haircut, as far as I know. And he didn't lie about his sex life. But, here's a slightly more significant lie:

"Now, by the way, any time you hear the United States government talking about wiretap, it requires -- a wiretap requires a court order. Nothing has changed, by the way. When we're talking about chasing down terrorists, we're talking about getting a court order before we do so."

-- George Bush, April 2004

Posted on July 5, 2007 14:13

By the way, John E... (Below threshold)

37. Posted by Publicus | July 5, 2007 2:15 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

By the way, John Edwards can talk about "Two Americas" all he wants.
Stories like this, however, highlight which one he belongs to.

And this means...what? That you can't care about poor Americans unless you are one? Maybe that's why you don't care about gays, women, poor people, folks from other countries, etc.

Posted on July 5, 2007 14:15

Apparently America is longi... (Below threshold)

38. Posted by Adrian Browne | July 5, 2007 2:33 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Apparently America is longing for the days of Reagan putting BLACK SHOE POLISH on his head.

Posted on July 5, 2007 14:33

Any guy who feels his hair ... (Below threshold)

39. Posted by Jo | July 5, 2007 2:34 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

John Edwards' Hair Stylist Tells All

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Comments (76)