Worshippers Storm Church in Seville, Accuse It of Giving Virgin Mary Statue a Cosmetic Surgery Makeover

A recent restoration of the 17th-century statue of the Virgin of La Macarena—one of Spain’s most revered Catholic icons—has sparked controversy and public outcry in Seville.

The wooden effigy, which draws thousands of worshippers and tourists during the city’s Holy Week parades, has been at the center of backlash after many claimed the restoration dramatically altered her appearance.

Critics argue that the Virgin now looks like she has undergone “plastic surgery,” with her face appearing glossier and her eyelashes noticeably longer than before.

“Her facial expression has completely changed.

“It pains me deeply to say it, but she looks like a poor copy of the original” one outraged worshipper told Spanish newspaper El Pais.

Another prosteter told ABC Newspaper saying: “This isn’t her; this isn’t the Virgin of Seville. It’s sad. My heart is about to burst out.

“They should have left her as she was”

The backlash was so intense that the statue reportedly underwent two additional restorations within 24 hours in an attempt to restore her original appearance.

“The brotherhood responsible issued a public apology and temporarily closed the basilica over the weekend.

Since then, the Virgin has reappeared with noticeably shorter eyelashes, after efforts were made to fix what was described as an ‘undesired effect.'”