'Hot Felon' Jeremy Meeks Got Rich After Prison

Jeremy Meeks and manager Jim Jordan at Cannes Film Festival, 2017.. Photo by Keyboard warrior killer under CC BY-SA 4.0.

When a police department in Stockton, California, posted a routine mug shot on Facebook in 2014, they had no idea they were launching a viral sensation. But that’s exactly what happened when Jeremy Meeks - blue-eyed, chiseled, and brooding - appeared on screens across America. Dubbed the “hot felon,” Meeks became internet-famous almost overnight. But what happens after you go viral for a crime?

The Mug Shot That Changed Everything

Jeremy Meeks’ story began long before the internet made him famous. Born in 1984 in Tacoma, Washington, Meeks grew up in a home shaped by addiction and violence. His father, Raymond Meeks, was convicted of murder when Jeremy was just 9 months old.

His mother, also involved with drugs, struggled to provide stability. On the podcast “What’s Your Water” in 2021, Meeks described his early life as “very dark,” saying he was “a heroin baby” and had to grow up fast, according to PEOPLE.

By his teens, Meeks had joined a gang and was in and out of juvenile detention, suffering multiple gunshot wounds and a beating between stints.

His adult rap sheet includes charges for grand theft in 2002, identity theft in 2005, forgery in 2007, and grand theft auto.

In June 2014, he was arrested during Operation Ceasefire and charged with five counts related to firearm possession and gang membership. That’s when the now-famous mug shot was uploaded to the Stockton Police Department’s Facebook page, where it quickly racked up over 95,000 comments and 20,000 likes.

Behind Bars, Offers Rolled In

Awaiting trial, Meeks became known globally as the “hot felon.” He was ultimately sentenced in February 2015 to 27 months in federal prison for felony possession of a firearm. While incarcerated, Meeks said he received over 45 modeling contracts.

He served 13 months and was released early in March 2016. Meeks posted on Instagram a day later, writing, “I want to thank my family and everybody for all your love, support and prayers. I’m overwhelmed and grateful for what lies ahead. I’m ready,” according to the Independent.

From Prison Yard to Runway

Meeks wasted no time launching a modeling career. White Cross Management signed him before he even finished his sentence.

His signature blue eyes and high cheekbones made him a standout on the runway, and he walked for brands like Philipp Plein and Tommy Hilfiger.

In 2019, he signed a deal with Fashion Concept GmbH to develop a luxury clothing line, valued at $15 million. His latest collection with Canon Mitchell debuted in January 2024. He also transitioned into acting, starring in multiple films beginning with “Trigger” in 2020. In a BuzzFeed interview reported by PEOPLE, he said, “I shot five movies in 10 months.”

Personal Life and Co-Parenting

Meeks was married to Melissa Meeks, with whom he shares a son, Jeremy Jr. The couple divorced in 2018, a year after Meeks was photographed kissing British heiress Chloe Green while still legally married. In May 2018, he and Green welcomed a son named Jayden.

The couple quietly split in 2019, but Meeks told Extra in 2020 that he has “an incredible relationship with Chloe” and is co-parenting successfully with both women, as reported by PEOPLE.

As of April 2024, Meeks confirmed to PEOPLE that he was single and focusing on himself.

Author, Advocate, and Father

In 2024, Meeks released his autobiography, “Model Citizen.” He said the book offers his “whole story” and expressed a desire to connect with people who may be on a similar path, according to PEOPLE.

He’s also using his platform for good. Meeks works with Women of Substance Men of Honor (WOSMOH), a nonprofit that mentors youth in foster care and juvenile detention.

The Face of Redemption?

Jeremy Meeks’ transformation from felon to fashion model may not erase his past, but it has opened new doors. As he told Forbes, “I can’t limit myself to one thing. I’m not a model. I do modeling, but also do acting and I’m about to start recording music,” according to PEOPLE.

Love him or loathe him, Meeks is proof that sometimes, a second chance can start with a snapshot.

References: Where Is ‘Hot Felon’ Jeremy Meeks Now? All About His Life 11 Years After His Mugshot Went Viral | Inside ‘Hot Felon’ Jeremy Meeks troubled past: From overcoming heroin-addled childhood, crime and addiction to becoming author, philanthropist and co-parenting to millionaire heir | ‘Hot convict’ Jeremy Meeks is out of jail and set to become fashion’s most talked about model