Estiwar Rodríguez, the Colombian barber known and loved for giving free haircuts to people living on the streets, has suddenly found himself on the receiving end of criticism—from the very fans who used to celebrate him.
Rodríguez, whose Instagram account has over 900,000 followers, has become a kind of street hero in Medellín. His clips usually follow a familiar, feel-good formula: he spots someone in need, offers them a warm smile and a fresh cut, and helps restore not just their look, but a piece of their dignity.
But his May 28 video broke that spell.
In the now-viral clip, Rodríguez approaches a young homeless man in his twenties. The man, quiet and composed, had an almost cinematic presence—long, tousled hair, light brown eyes that seemed to carry stories, and sharp, model-worthy bone structure. For many viewers, he wasn’t just handsome. He was striking. Raw. Untouched. A walking reminder that beauty doesn’t always come packaged in wealth or comfort.
People online were eager to see this natural gem polished, not reshaped. But the makeover that followed left them stunned—and not in a good way.
“He went from rockstar to ex-con,” one commenter wrote bluntly.
Gone were the flowing waves and gentle beard that softened his face and gave him a kind of rugged nobility. Instead, Rodríguez gave him a sharp, tight haircut, shaved his beard completely, and defined his eyebrows with crisp lines.
For many, it wasn’t just the wrong choice—it was a betrayal of everything the man embodied before. “He looked like a poet,” one user said. “Now he looks like he’s out on parole.”
Another fan wrote, “That hair… that beard… it was him. Why take that away?”
The comments poured in by the thousands. Some accused Rodríguez of trying too hard to fit everyone into the same aesthetic. Others said the new look made the man seem older, harder, and even less approachable. Many pointed out how the transformation didn’t elevate him—it exposed his struggles even more.
“The long hair gave him mystery,” one person wrote. “He didn’t need a buzz cut. He needed a little care—not a complete rewrite.”
Another comment that struck a chord: “This wasn’t a glow-up. It was a cover-up of what made him special.”
Rodríguez hasn’t responded publicly to the criticism. He’s continued posting other transformations—some well-received—but none have stirred up as much emotion as this one.
This moment has sparked a bigger conversation: when helping someone, are we truly seeing them—or just reshaping them into what we think they should be?
Because sometimes, the most beautiful thing you can do for someone… is to leave their magic intact.
What do you think about this transformation? Share your thoughts in the comments’ section.