For Jeremy Meeks, what seemed like just another mugshot turned into a life-changing moment that altered the course of his future forever. Born on February 7, 1984, Meeks’ early life was marked by hardship and trauma. Growing up in a challenging environment, he experienced the darker side of life from a very young age. Both of his parents were heroin addicts, and Jeremy himself was born addicted to heroin—a reality that shaped much of his early childhood. In a revealing 2019 interview on the podcast What’s Your Water, Meeks spoke candidly about his traumatic upbringing, sharing the heartbreaking story of his father’s violent act when Jeremy was only nine months old. His father murdered his mother’s best friend, casting a long shadow over the family’s life and contributing to a deeply unstable environment.

As a child, Jeremy faced tremendous adversity. The combination of poverty, addiction, and familial violence led to a turbulent adolescence. His earliest run-ins with the law were typical teenage missteps: skipping school, breaking curfew, and other minor offenses. However, these mistakes quickly escalated into more serious crimes. By the tenth grade, Jeremy had already moved out on his own, seeking independence but also falling deeper into trouble. Just two months after turning eighteen, he was arrested on felony charges related to auto theft—a sign of the difficulties he faced trying to find his path.

Meeks’ criminal record continued to grow over the years with offenses that included forgery and grand theft, among others. In 2014, his life took a pivotal turn when he was arrested for felony weapons charges. It was at this moment that his life changed in a way no one could have predicted. The Stockton Police Department posted his booking photo on Facebook—a mugshot that would soon become one of the most viral images in recent history.

What made this mugshot extraordinary was Meeks’ striking appearance. His sharp cheekbones, intense piercing blue eyes, and chiseled jawline stood out in stark contrast to the grim circumstances of his arrest. The photo quickly garnered massive attention, receiving over 15,000 likes and thousands of comments within a day. Most commenters were women captivated by his looks, many of whom called him the “world’s hottest felon.” His mixed ethnic background added to his unique and handsome features, making the image impossible to ignore.

The viral sensation surrounding his mugshot was unprecedented. According to Joe Silva, a spokeswoman for the Stockton Police Department, the photo generated more engagement than any other image posted on the department’s Facebook page since its launch in 2012. Suddenly, Jeremy Meeks was a household name—not because of his crimes, but because of his unexpected celebrity status.

Despite this sudden fame, Meeks’ past was far from glamorous. Yet, his arrest and subsequent 27-month prison sentence marked a turning point. While serving time, he began to reconsider his life choices and envision a new future. By the time he was released in 2016, the world of fashion had taken notice of the “hot felon.” Several modeling agencies reached out, eager to turn his viral fame into a lucrative career.

After signing with White Cross Management, Meeks publicly expressed his commitment to changing his life. He told ABC News, “I’m in a place where I will be able to provide for my family and really change my life.” True to his word, Jeremy began to build a successful career in modeling, leveraging his unique backstory and striking looks.

Over the next several years, Meeks’ career skyrocketed. At 41 years old, he has walked the runway for some of the most prestigious names in fashion, including Tommy Hilfiger and Philipp Plein. His modeling work has taken him from high-profile fashion shows in New York to the glamorous runways of Paris Fashion Week.

But Meeks didn’t stop at modeling. He expanded his talents into acting, appearing in films such as True to the Game 2 and 3, Trigger, and Secret Society. His foray into the entertainment world showed his versatility and determination to redefine himself far beyond his criminal past.

In addition to modeling and acting, Meeks launched his own clothing line, further solidifying his place in the fashion industry. This venture was backed by a significant $15 million contract with Fashion Concept GmbH, marking his transition from viral sensation to serious entrepreneur.

In 2024, Jeremy Meeks shared even more of his story by publishing his autobiography, Model Citizen: The Autobiography of Jeremy Meeks. In this deeply personal book, he opens up about his struggles, vulnerabilities, and the journey that led to his transformation. “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,” he explained.

Beyond his professional life, Meeks is a devoted father. He has two sons: Jayden, whose mother is Chloe Green, the heiress to the Topshop fortune, with whom he shared a highly publicized two-year relationship; and Jeremy Jr., from his marriage to ex-wife Melissa. Despite the complexities of his personal life, Meeks prioritizes fatherhood and strives to be a positive role model for his children.

By 2024, Meeks confirmed to People magazine that he was single and focusing on personal growth. “I am single. I’m trying to focus on myself,” he said, signaling a new chapter dedicated to self-improvement and stability.

Jeremy Meeks’ story is a testament to the power of second chances. From a troubled childhood and criminal past to international fame and success, he exemplifies how resilience and determination can lead to remarkable transformation. His journey from a jail cell in Stockton to the dazzling lights of Paris Fashion Week remains one of the most extraordinary narratives in contemporary celebrity culture.

His story challenges the traditional notions of redemption and fame, reminding us all that people can change, and sometimes, the most unlikely individuals can become symbols of hope and reinvention.