People have been left shocked by what the ‘world‘s hottest felon’ looks like now.
Once the internet’s most infamous mugshot, Jeremy Meeks has transformed from a convicted felon.
Now 41, the man who became an overnight sensation in 2014 has built an unlikely career, all while reflecting on his troubled past.
In June 2014, the Stockton Police Department posted a routine booking photo to Facebook. What they didn’t anticipate was the viral sensation it would create.
Jeremy Meeks’ piercing blue eyes and chiseled features earned him nicknames like ‘Prison Bae’ and ‘the world’s hottest felon,’ with the image garnering over 95,000 comments and 20,000 likes.
At the time, Meeks was facing felony weapon charges after police found a semi-automatic handgun in his car.
He was ultimately convicted of felony firearm possession and sentenced to 27 months in federal prison, though he served only 13 months, per People.
Meeks has been candid about his difficult upbringing. Growing up surrounded 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, killing his mother’s best friend.
Before his viral moment, Meeks had spent over a decade cycling through juvenile detention and prison for various crimes, including grand theft, identity theft, and forgery. He was also affiliated with the Crips gang during his youth.
While still incarcerated, Meeks began receiving ‘hundreds and hundreds of letters’ from devoted fans each month.
He also secured modeling contracts, reportedly receiving 45 offers before his release.
“I’m in a place where I will be able to provide for my family and really change my life,” he told ABC from prison.
After his release in March 2016, Meeks wasted no time launching his new career. He signed with White Cross Management and made his runway debut at New York Fashion Week in 2017 for designer Philipp Plein.
He went on to walk for Tommy Hilfiger and other top brands, becoming a fixture on international runways.
In 2019, Meeks signed a $15 million deal with Fashion Concept GmbH to create his own clothing line.
He’s also appeared in several films, including Trigger, Secret Society, and True to the Game 2 and 3.
Meeks’ personal life has seen its share of changes. He was married to Melissa Meeks for nearly a decade before their divorce in 2018.
The split came after photos surfaced of Meeks kissing Topshop heiress Chloe Green in 2017. He and Green had a son, Jayden, in 2018, but ended their relationship the following year.
Meeks also has another son, Jeremy Jr., with his ex-wife Melissa. He’s spoken positively about co-parenting with both mothers.
In a revealing 2025 red carpet interview, Meeks disclosed that he’s been celibate for three years, explaining that he doesn’t want to be distracted from his goals.
In 2024, Meeks released his autobiography, ‘Model Citizen: The Autobiography of Jeremy Meeks,’ detailing his journey from hardship to reinvention.
“I’m in a place in my life where I am extremely vulnerable and want to tell my story, the whole story,” he said, per UNILAD.
Beyond his entertainment career, Meeks has focused on advocacy work, helping underprivileged youth avoid gang involvement and the criminal justice system.
In May 2024, he shared on Instagram that he was working on a project to ‘potentially change lives for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals.’
“God is so Good,” he wrote. “With projects like this, it makes me feel like I’m actually walking in my Purpose!”
At 41, Meeks maintains his striking appearance, though with a more polished, high-fashion aesthetic.
His Instagram account, which boasts 1.4 million followers, showcases his continued work in modeling and acting, often featuring professional photoshoots and red carpet appearances.
The transformation is evident in recent photos showing a bald, tattooed Meeks in designer clothing at industry events, a far cry from the orange jail uniform he wore in court appearances over a decade ago.
As Meeks told BuzzFeed in 2020, “It’s been a wild, wild ride, but I’m so grateful. I’m not taking anything for granted.”
