Jeremy Meeks, once known as the ‘world’s hottest felon,’ has made a remarkable transformation since his arrest over a decade ago.
In 2014, Meeks became an internet sensation when the Stockton Police Department shared his mugshot on Facebook. His striking blue eyes and sculpted features garnered tens of thousands of likes and comments, making him an overnight celebrity even while he was incarcerated.
At that point, it was hard to imagine that the man facing multiple firearm charges would later walk the runway for renowned designers like Philipp Plein and Tommy Hilfiger, appear in films, and secure lucrative fashion contracts.
Prior to his viral fame, Meeks faced a challenging life.
He has been candid about his difficult upbringing, revealing details on the What’s Your Water podcast in 2019. Meeks shared, “Both of my parents were heroin addicts. I was a heroin baby … My childhood was very dark. My dad committed a murder when I was nine months old and killed my mom’s best friend.”
After spending over a decade in and out of prison for various offenses, including grand theft and forgery, Meeks’ 2014 arrest resulted in a 27-month prison term. However, upon his release in 2016, his life took a dramatic turn.
At 41, Meeks looks vastly different from the man in that memorable mugshot. He retains his striking appearance but now exudes a refined, high-fashion image that has solidified his place in the entertainment world.
Upon signing with White Cross Management, he expressed to ABC: “I’m in a place where I will be able to provide for my family and really change my life.” And he has certainly achieved that.
Since leaving prison, Meeks has embarked on a global modeling career, appeared in films like Trigger (2020), Secret Society, and True to the Game 2 and 3, and even secured a $15 million contract with Fashion Concept GmbH to create his own clothing line.
In 2024, Meeks expanded his portfolio by publishing his autobiography, Model Citizen: The Autobiography of Jeremy Meeks.
He stated, “I’m in a place in my life where I am extremely vulnerable and want to tell my story, the whole story, and hope that people can connect to it.”
Aside from his public life, Meeks is a father to two sons: Jeremy Jr. with his former wife Melissa, and Jayden with Topshop heiress Chloe Green, with whom he was in a relationship for two years. In 2024, he confirmed his single status to People, saying, “I am single. I’m trying to focus on myself.”
Jeremy Meeks’ journey from incarceration to international fashion weeks is one of the most unexpected transformations in modern celebrity history. At 41, the man once known as the world’s hottest felon continues to capture attention on his own terms.