I am as positive as I can be that someone persuaded Cindy to spend a couple hours with a professional "Media Coach" (possibly yesterday) in New York.
If I'm right, the coach sat her down and made her watch a video of herself where she comes off abrasive and unattractive. Then the coach showed her how to soften her voice and let a (sad) smile be present always when speaking. Sit slightly foward in the chair, no matter how uncomfortable that may be, etc. Then the coach videotaped her and showed her how much better and more attractive she appears when she follows the coach's directions. The coach also would have told her to dump the gum. Today is the first time I haven't seen Cindy chomping on gum.
Cindy obviously liked what she saw in the "after video" or no one, including God Almighty, could have made her follow anyone else's directions.
Once you've spent a couple hours with a media coach, (I had to do that), you can spot the subtle signs, the techniques. The change in Cindy is so abrupt and unprecedented that it can only be due to one thing, IMO.