People have reacted with surprise to how Jeremy Meeks, once dubbed the world’s hottest felon, looks today.
Now 41, Meeks has moved far beyond the mugshot that made him famous. His transformation has taken him from prison to international fashion runways. The shift has continued to attract widespread public interest.
Meeks first became an internet sensation in June 2014. The Stockton Police Department posted his booking photo on Facebook. The image quickly went viral, drawing tens of thousands of reactions.
His striking features earned him nicknames such as “Prison Bae” and “the world’s hottest felon.”
At the time, Meeks was facing felony weapons charges. Police had found a semi-automatic handgun in his car. He was later convicted of felony firearm possession.
According to People, he was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison but served 13 months.
The viral fame contrasted sharply with Meeks’ background. He has spoken openly about a childhood shaped by drugs and violence.
He described himself as a “heroin baby,” born to parents struggling with addiction. His father was imprisoned for murder when Meeks was just nine months old.
Before 2014, Meeks had spent more than a decade moving in and out of juvenile detention and prison. His convictions included grand theft, identity theft, and forgery.
He was also affiliated with the Crips gang during his youth. Meeks has since described that period as destructive and defining.
Rise in fashion and media
While still incarcerated, Meeks began receiving large volumes of fan mail. He later said he received hundreds of letters each month. Modeling agencies also took notice of his sudden fame. Meeks reportedly received dozens of contract offers before his release.
Speaking to ABC from prison, he said the attention offered hope for change. He said he wanted to provide for his family and rebuild his life.
After his release in March 2016, he moved quickly into the fashion industry. He signed with White Cross Management soon afterward.
Meeks made his runway debut at New York Fashion Week in 2017. He walked for designer Philipp Plein during the show. That appearance helped establish his presence in high fashion.
He later modeled for brands including Tommy Hilfiger and appeared at international events.
In 2019, Meeks signed a reported $15 million deal with Fashion Concept GmbH. The agreement allowed him to develop his own clothing line.
He also expanded into acting, appearing in films such as Trigger, Secret Society, and True to the Game 2 and 3. His career continued to diversify.
Personal life and reflection
Meeks’ personal life has also undergone significant change. He was married to Melissa Meeks for nearly ten years. The couple divorced in 2018 after photos emerged of Meeks with Chloe Green in 2017. Green is the daughter of Topshop founder Sir Philip Green.
Meeks and Green later had a son, Jayden, in 2018. Their relationship ended the following year. Meeks also has another son, Jeremy Jr., with his former wife. He has spoken publicly about maintaining positive co-parenting relationships.
In a 2025 red carpet interview, Meeks shared details about his current lifestyle. He said he had been celibate for three years. He explained that the decision helped him stay focused on his goals. The comments drew attention for their candid tone.
In 2024, Meeks released his autobiography, Model Citizen: The Autobiography of Jeremy Meeks. The book details his upbringing, incarceration, and career shift.
He said he wanted to tell his full story without holding back. He described the process as emotionally vulnerable.
Current work and public image
Beyond modeling and acting, Meeks has focused on advocacy efforts. He has said he wants to help underprivileged youth avoid gangs and incarceration.
In May 2024, he shared that he was developing a project aimed at supporting incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people. He described the work as purpose-driven.
Meeks remains active on social media, where he has more than 1.4 million Instagram followers. His account features professional photoshoots, fashion events, and film promotions.
Recent images show him bald, heavily tattooed, and dressed in designer clothing. The look reflects a polished, high-fashion image.
The contrast with his 2014 mugshot is stark. Meeks’ appearance and lifestyle have changed dramatically over the past decade.
In a 2020 interview with BuzzFeed, he reflected on his journey. “It’s been a wild, wild ride,” he said, adding that he remains grateful and focused on the future.
Featured image credit: The Stockton Police Department
