<\/p>\n
Fashion designer Alex Carabes, left, says of Anthony Cruse: \u2018I really believe in him. Don\u2019t ever judge someone because of what they look like or because of their situation. You never know what someone\u2019s going through.\u2019<\/p>\n
CBS News Miami | May 2026<\/p>\n
It started with a hoodie, a pair of jeans and a question on a South Florida street and would change two lives forever.<\/p>\n
A local fashion designer says he stopped a man he met on the sidewalk and asked a simple question: would he model for his clothing brand? That moment, which was captured on camera, quickly exploded online and racked up millions of views.<\/p>\n
However, the viral fame was only the beginning. Now, the man at the center of the story, Anthony Cruse, has received a life-changing surprise \u2014 $8,282 raised by more than 500 strangers online, all sparked by that original photo shoot.<\/p>\n
Alex Carabes said he saw something in Cruse that others might have overlooked.<\/p>\n
\u201cI really believe in him,\u201d Carabes said. \u201cDon\u2019t ever judge someone because of what they look like or because of their situation. You never know what someone\u2019s going through.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cruse, who said he has been living on the streets and working to regain custody of his children, admitted he was hesitant when approached for the shoot.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know if I should do it because I don\u2019t think I\u2019m worthy enough,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Still, he went forward with the photos and the images quickly took off across social media, generating what Carabes says amounted to tens of millions of interactions across platforms.<\/p>\n
That attention led Carabes to launch an online fundraising campaign in which hundreds of people contributed.<\/p>\n
Anthony Cruse models clothes designed by Alex Carabes. Alex Carabes via CBS News Miami <\/p>\n
For Cruse, the money represents more than viral attention \u2014 it represents a reset.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019ll help me get a place, get off the streets,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd get my kids straight.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cruse hopes to pursue modeling.<\/p>\n
Carabes, who launched his brand only eight months ago, says the experience has reshaped his outlook and inspired him to use his platform to help others.<\/p>\n