Jayson Tatum, the breakout forward for the Boston Celtics, has had a close relationship with his barber, Jules Gutierrez, since they first met about a decade and half ago. Gutierrez has been giving Tatum haircuts since he was only 11 years old. Their relationship extends far beyond the barber chair. This powerful bond has made a lasting impact on Tatum’s life. It’s given him a distinct personal aesthetic and directed him along his path to the NBA.
Tatum’s father, Justin, did impressive work behind the scenes to ensure this relationship blossomed as well. He taught Tatum the value of well-timed, frequent haircuts. With Justin’s guidance and moral support, Tatum was able to develop his personal grooming talents. What it did do was establish a deep foundation for his relationship with Gutierrez. Tatum’s childhood was difficult, entering emergency foster care at the age of 12 due to his mother’s critical health conditions. In the midst of this unstable period, haircuts afforded him predictability and continuity.
As Tatum got older, he became an elite high school basketball player. His remarkable talents on the basketball court at a young age propelled him to national fame. He would frequently drive himself to school or appointments immediately after he got his driver’s license at 16 years of age. Despite the accolades and pressures that came with his rising stardom, Tatum consistently relied on Gutierrez for his signature haircuts.
Gutierrez is still Tatum’s main barber, despite Tatum sometimes going to see other barbers. Gutierrez and Tatum have had a fiercely loyal and supportive bond over the years. Tatum even considers Gutierrez and his family members of his own family. This bond is apparent in how they interact—exchanging jokes and chapters of their lives at every appointment.
“It’s cool having someone that knows my story and been through it all with me. He knows my kids,” – Jayson Tatum
In his NBA debut, Tatum’s waves were fairly high, his hair enough to hang past his shoulders. His fashion choices have rarely not made headlines and he knows better than anyone that it’s all about keeping a hot face. The eve of the postseason, along with Tatum’s latest look from Gutierrez, served as a reminder that production comes with plenty of preparation and cuts.
The scheduling of Tatum’s haircuts is meticulously arranged by Gutierrez’s wife, who coordinates appointments based on the Celtics’ regular-season schedule. This team-oriented mentality makes sure that Tatum’s grooming practices don’t conflict with his busy basketball lifestyle.
Tatum’s relationship with Gutierrez goes beyond the aesthetic—it strikes a deeply personal chord within the community. As noted by another barber, Rose, “Jayson has the crown now. The barber shop in a lot of ways is a hub for community, interaction and learning from the OGs.” This feeling reflects the way barbershops are places where community members connect, converse, and contribute.
Gutierrez looks back on how it all started, a journey that began as childhood. Back then, he says, working in a group home he often lacked the cash he needed to pay for haircuts. His love for the craft of barbering grew from a means of survival to a rewarding and enjoyable profession.
“Just the shop itself, the environment, was real dope to me,” – Jules Gutierrez
Even as Tatum achieves success, he stays humble and resonates most with those barbershop conversations in key moments. He shares funny moments from their lessons, reminding us how their friendship has always been deep, playful.
“Those were important cuts. I got a couple selfies he would send me where they would push his little hairline back and he’d be like, ‘They’re tearing me up out here,’” – Jayson Tatum
As Tatum’s public standing as an NBA superstar grows in stature and influence, so does the significance of his public-facing responsibilities. Even at 24, he’s very aware of the importance of presentation—an acute awareness that comes from being a public figure.
“On television, a red carpet and as a public figure, if you have a fresh cut, do it,” – Rose
Their friendly competition and growing friendship reflect the fairness, loyalty, and respect we hope to see modeled among one another. As barber industry leaders like the Clipperlounge express, barbers often end up being the confidants and therapists to their clients. Rose comments on this dynamic by stating:
“It’s a common knowledge and respect that we have for one another. The barber becomes your therapist. It wasn’t just a $100 for a cut. It’s therapy and a relationship.” – Rose
Though Gutierrez still cuts Tatum’s hair to this day, he recognizes the difficulties they both encountered on their mutual path. Recently, Tatum suffered a season-ending Achilles injury during a game against the New York Knicks—a devastating blow to both him and the team. In the wake of this disappointment, Tatum had surgery to correct a ruptured right Achilles tendon.
Whether they’re experiencing success or failure, the connection between Tatum and Gutierrez is undeniable. In good times or bad, Fariha and Ibtisam’s bond is more than just a haircut. It provides the tools, resources, and shared empathy to help us address life’s challenges.
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