Jeremy Meeks has been creating a buzz ever since his mugshot stunned the internet. Now, years later, he has returned to talk about his experience in prison and the impact of fame.
Jeremy Meeks rose to fame as the 'Hot Felon' almost 12 years ago when his mugshot went viral. What marked his arrest on June 18, 2014, soon turned into a life-altering moment. According to CBS News, Meeks was arrested on charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The Stockton Police Department then posted a photo of Meeks' mugshot, which immediately went viral.
Jeremy Meeks came to be known as the 'Hot Felon' as he awaited his trial and sentencing. Prior to going viral, Meeks spent over 10 years in juvenile detention and prison for various crimes. But what happened to Meeks after the sudden fame post-mugshot? Let's take a quick look.
Jeremy Ray Meeks is a model, actor and internet personality who rose to fame in 2014. He has appeared in several films since his mugshot went viral, including Trigger, Secret Society, and True to the Game 2 and Game 3. Apart from the acting projects, Meek has also walked the runways for top fashion designers, including Philipp Plein, Tommy Hilfiger and more. However, while the mugshot changed his life, his early life was filled with challenges
Jeremy Meeks grew up surrounded by drugs and violence. In a candid conversation with What's Your Water in 2021, he revealed that both of his parents were addicts, and his childhood was extremely dark. He shared how his father murdered his mother's best friend and was quoted as saying:
"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 mum's best friend."
According to the Los Angeles Times, Jeremy Meeks was arrested after police found a semi-automatic handgun and two extended magazines in the trunk of his car during a stop. NBC further revealed that he was charged with five firearm charges and gang membership. In 2015, he was convicted of felony firearms possession and was sentenced to 27 months in prison. ABC reported that this wasn't Meeks' first time in jail. As per the media outlet, he served two years in prison in 2002, after he was charged with grand theft. FOX40 also cited that Meeks was convicted of identity theft in 2005 and forgery in 2007.
Jeremy Meeks rose to prominence in 2014 for his viral mugshot, which earned him the nickname 'Hot Felon'. According to a BBC report, the photo garnered more than 95,000 comments and over 20,000 likes after it was posted on the Stockton Police Department's Facebook page. The close-up picture brought out Meeks' piercing blue eyes, which led to his sudden fame. Meeks soon turned his fame into a career, signing and modelling contracts. In 2020, he told BuzzFeed:
"While I was still incarcerated, I received, I believe, 45 contracts."
Jeremy Meeks spent 13 months in jail following his 2014 arrest. He was sentenced to 27 months in prison on February 5, 2015, according to CBS. However, the Los Angeles Times reported that Meeks was released early on March 8, 2016. Now years after his release, Meeks appeared on the Matthew Cox True Crime podcast, the model revealed he was getting loads of attention from fans, some of whom sent him racy selfies of themselves. Jeremy told the cost:
"I was probably getting 300 letters a day – and it was just too much. I'm getting naked pictures, I'm getting money orders, movie opportunities. While I was in the feds, I signed a deal with a management agency. I got random people coming up to visit me, and I'm denying them before I even walk up the stairs into the section. I'm like, 'I don't know who that person is.' I can see them through the glass, and I'm like, 'I don't know who that person is'."
Jeremy Meeks has built a successful life after his time in prison. He is signed with White Cross Management and has become an international model, actor, and fashion designer. He has walked in major fashion shows, acted in films and worked on multiple movie projects. In 2019, Meeks secured a USD 15 million deal with Fashion Concept GmbH to launch a clothing line and debuted his first luxury collection in 2020.
He also released a second collection for Canon Mitchell in January 2024. Jeremy Meeks also published his autobiography, Model Citizen in February 2024, reflecting on his life and journey of personal growth. He remains focused on expanding his career across fashion, film, and potentially music.
Jeremy Meeks is currently single. He was previously married to Melissa Meeks. However, they parted ways in 2018 after nearly 10 years of marriage. He shares a son with her, whom they named Jeremy Jr. He later dated Chloe Green, but their relationship ended in 2019. The couple was also blessed with a son, Jayden. He maintains positive co-parenting relationships with both mothers.
What are your thoughts on Jeremy Meeks' journey from prison to fashion shows? Let us know.
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