Callista Gingrich Jewelry: Newt's Method Of Persuasion? (PHOTOS)

Much has been written about Callista Gingrich's stylized appearance, from her immobile bleached blonde hair to her permanently wide-eyed look. Even more fuss has been made over her fancy wardrobe, including the jewelry bought on Newt's rumored half-million-dollar line of credit at Tiffany.

A profile in this week's New Yorker takes a closer look at Callista's overly groomed image, but doesn't do much to upend it.

R.C. Hammond, Newt Gingrich's campaign spokesman, quipped to writer Ariel Levy, "I don't think she owns a pair of jeans. [...] Casual Friday is not something that happens a lot around Callista."

Since she's ascended the national stage, fashion and political critics alike have noticed Callista's less-than-casual look and wondered whether the hardened, buttoned-up appearance could hurt the Gingriches' image.

In fact, one anonymous strategist tells the New Yorker that the icy cold image projected by Callista's outward appearance is, unfortunately, fairly accurate.

"She's the single most self-centered person I've run into in politics -- it's all about her. [...] The core problem was that [Newt] was not willing to do the things he'd have to do to run for President. And Callista did not want him to run for President.

That's why he had to buy her so much damn jewelry."

Whether that's the reason behind the jewelry or not, it's plain to see that the triple-strand pearls as well as the brightly colored jackets, coiffed 'do and perfect makeup are all part of Callista's carefully honed image. Some say the look recalls Stepford, others might think it regal and First Lady-worthy.

Below, see Callista Gingrich's dramatic transformation for yourself. Click to NewYorker.com to read more about Callista, Newt and the couple's intriguing relationship.

Comments

[srlee623]

03:49 PM on 01/27/2012

Oh my God! I thought it was just me! I dont want to be rude but that hairstyle has got to go! Who told her that hair was cute/... obviously she has no friends.

[mt7563]

01:36 AM on 01/24/2012

Callista sold her soul for money and power- no kids or grandkids of her own to comfort her in her old age. She most likely will die alone and lonely- It is sort of sad.

[Cocococo]

07:47 PM on 01/21/2012

doesn't matter what she does or what she wears she is one ugly looking woman-like a bird but an ugly one

[Jess Gilbert]

02:57 PM on 01/20/2012

She makes Michelle Obama look like a saint!

[marysmith1]

11:48 PM on 01/19/2012

BEAK, nerver mind.

[Alicia Flowers]

06:16 PM on 01/19/2012

The woman with the white hair and beak nose is scary looking. The fact that she agreed to be a mistress speaks clearly of her moral character. No hairdresser, makeup expert, fashion designer, plastic surgeon or jeweler can change what's on the inside of her. First Lady material she is NOT!

[CaroleK1970]

02:50 PM on 01/19/2012

I wonder what she considers a bad hair day

[hypyrwyf]

12:22 PM on 01/19/2012

He bought her all that jewelry because she told him to, and he's nothing if not obedient to his mistress.

[George Ofthejungle]

10:28 AM on 01/19/2012

Pretty Scary. Every time I look into her eyes it looks the lights went out. She can put on her mask of being some respectful quiet lady, but she's not. She's just as foul and corrupted as Newt.

[ZenCrusader]

10:19 AM on 01/19/2012

Am I the only person who finds her immensely UNappealing ?

[mssueme]

05:57 AM on 01/19/2012

The Republicans are the height of hypocrisy. they lecture non stop about religious values, old fashioned manners and morality but Callista was Newts mistress for 8 years. They make me sick the way they try and moralize yet look at the people they push to be President Herman Cain, Newt Gingrinch. I am happy with Michelle to remain First Lady for the next 4 years-period.

[ColoradoCool]

04:24 AM on 01/19/2012

While she was at it, she should have had something done about her BEAK!

[emperance]

12:41 AM on 01/19/2012

That woman's hair is ... NEVERMIND.

[stopgov]

11:36 PM on 01/18/2012

Why is this an issue? So let's see we could end up with icy cold image first lady compared to an "angry black woman" as the first lady. Neither is relevant, since neither is elected. Stop with picking on the spouses!

[Egghead]

01:40 AM on 01/20/2012

You make a good point. I think the reason that Callista is dragged out into the spotlight has to do with Newt's hypocrisy: his lecturing people about moral marriage while carrying on and finally marrying his mistress, and lecturing them about poverty while having a revolving Tiffany's charge account. She's involved in both of those things, so she comes in for the accusations.

[Biochemist she]

11:32 PM on 01/18/2012

Funny thing, you'd think will at that disposable income, she could afford a better hair stylist, or at the very minimum, a decent colorist.

That catastrophe on top of her head is painful to look at.