California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s slicked-back hair, tailored suits and carefully curated image didn’t happen by accident — they were born out of teenage insecurity, a school bully, and classic ’80s TV.
In his new memoir, “Young Man in a Hurry,” Newsom reveals his signature aesthetic originates from a desperate attempt to reinvent himself in the hallways of Redwood High School in Marin County in San Francisco’s Bay Area.
Gavin Newsom at the opening of the PlumpJack wine shop on Oct. 29, 1992. Hearst Newspapers via Getty ImagesWhile sports were a massive part of his identity as a baseball player, Newsom divulged in his book his other obsession that triggered a total image overhaul: The ’80s detective drama “Remington Steele.”
Newsom writes he was an awkward kid with a bowl cut and a lisp that led to him being tormented by a bully, according to the New York Times. To overcome the bullying, he copied Pierce Brosnan’s character on “Remington Steele,” right down to his slicked-back hair and his suit, which he wore to school.
Newsom claims in the book the bowl haircut and lisp led him to become the target of a bully who called him “Newscum” — the same nickname Donald Trump uses regularly to deride the now-58-year-old Californian governor.
Newsom claims that after his image overhaul, the kids at school then switched nicknames, calling him “El Presidente.”
Newsom has previously said he first heard the “Newscum” insult in the 7th grade.
Irish actor Pierce Brosnan starred as dishy detective Remington Steele in the 1980s titular series, later becoming a style icon worth emulating for a young Gavin Newsom. IMDBInspired by Pierce Brosnan‘s suave, suit-wearing character, a teenage Newsom decided to ditch the “scum” label for a makeover fit for Hollywood. He meticulously learned to slick back his hair with gel — a look that would later become his trademark — and would occasionally wear a full suit to high school.
The transformation helped change young Newsom’s reputation, who was the target of bullies because of his undiagnosed dyslexia. The torture seemed to stop almost overnight, according to the memoir.
The wildest revelations from Gavin Newsom’s memoir
The memoir reveals that the bully who had dubbed him “Newscum” backed off, and his peers handed him a new nickname that proved eerily prophetic: “El Presidente.”
Newsom’s high school suit and gel era was a turning point — the moment he realized image could be armor, according to the memoir, which is set for release later this month.
Then-mayoral candidate Newsom speaks at a rally in 2003 in San Francisco. Getty Images
Newsom’s high school suit and gel era was a turning point — the moment he realized image could be armor, according to the memoir, which is set for release later this month. Getty Images for VogueDownload The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters
California Post News: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, WhatsApp, LinkedIn
California Post SportsFacebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X
California Post Opinion
California Post Newsletters: Sign up here!
California Post App: Download here!
Home delivery: Sign up here!
Page Six Hollywood: Sign up here!
