by Once known as the “hot felon,” Jeremy Meeks looked nearly unrecognizable these days — in the best way possible. His journey from a viral booking photo to high-fashion runways and film sets reads like a modern-day redemption story, and it’s still unfolding.
The Mugshot That Changed Everything
On June 18, 2014, Meeks was arrested in Stockton, California, and the police posted his mugshot to Facebook. In less than 24 hours, it went viral — over 15,000 likes and thousands of comments poured in, dubbing him the “world’s hottest felon.” EBONY+3Wikipedia+3People.com+3 What seemed like an ordinary police booking turned into a strange turning point in his life.
Jeremy Meeks & Rosanna Davison at Lambertz Monday Night 2025 “Sweet Art” on February 3, 2025 (Gisela Schober/Getty Images)
Early Life: Hardship & Turbulence
Meeks has been open about his rough beginnings. He claims both his parents struggled with heroin addiction and said his father committed a murder when Jeremy was just an infant. People.com+2PublishersWeekly.com+2 He spent his early years fighting with internal demons, and by his teens, he was in and out of trouble. The Famous People+3PublishersWeekly.com+3People.com+3 Over the years, he faced multiple convictions including forgery, identity theft, and firearm possession. People.com+2Wikipedia+2
From Prison to Runway
In 2015, Meeks pleaded guilty to federal firearm charges and was sentenced to 27 months in prison — he was released in March 2016. People.com+2Wikipedia+2 But while behind bars, agents and interested fashion houses already started reaching out. EBONY+2Wikipedia+2 Once free, he signed with White Cross Management and wasted no time stepping into a new life. Wikipedia+2People.com+2 He debuted on runways for designers like Philipp Plein and Tommy Hilfiger. Wikipedia+2People.com+2 His once-viral image became a polished fashion persona.
Lights, Camera, Action
Acting came next. Meeks’ first feature film was Trigger (2020), followed by roles in Secret Society and several True to the Game sequels. Wikipedia+2People.com+2 He’s slowly but steadily building a resume in entertainment.
Jeremy Meeks at a screening of True to the Game 3 in December, 2021 (Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
In December 2024, he released his memoir, Model Citizen: The Autobiography of Jeremy Meeks, laying bare his past and transformation in his own words. PublishersWeekly.com+3Wikipedia+3People.com+3
Personal Life & Today
Meeks has two sons: Jeremy Jr. with his former wife Melissa, and Jayden with former partner Chloe Green, daughter of Topshop’s founder. Goodreads+3Wikipedia+3People.com+3 As of 2024, he’s said he’s single and focusing on growth. People.com+2People.com+2
He continues to model, act, and build his brand. In early 2025, he appeared on stage in Cologne at Lambertz Night 2025 with Rosanna Davison — a glamorous reminder that the world now sees him through a very different lens. IMDb
In Short
Jeremy Meeks’ story is the kind of reinvention you don’t see coming. From a jail cell and viral mugshot to runways, film sets, book signings, and public appearances — he’s not exactly “unrecognizable” in appearance, but his life now is a world apart from who he used to be. And after more than a decade in the spotlight, he’s crafting a legacy on his own terms.
Internal Links:
- See Jeremy Meeks on Wikipedia for background
- Check out his autobiography Model Citizen for his own story
External References & Sources:
- People article: “Where Is ‘Hot Felon’ Jeremy Meeks Now?” (2025) People.com
- Wikipedia: Jeremy Meeks biography and career notes Wikipedia
- Publishers Weekly review of Model Citizen PublishersWeekly.com
- Ebony: report on modeling contract post-mugshot EBONY
Featured Image Credit : (Gisela Schober/Getty Images)
