At one point in time he held the distinction of being the “world’s hottest felon”, but Jeremy Meeks has drastically changed his life since then.

Meeks rose to prominence in 2014, when the Stockton Police Department posted his mugshot on Facebook following his arrest during a gang sweep called Operation Ceasefire. With his piercing blue eyes and chiseled features, Meeks’ photo went viral overnight.

At the time, Meeks was a forklift driver, but overnight he became a viral sensation as a result of his good looks. Less than a day after the Stockton Police Department shared his booking photo, it had racked up over 15,000 likes and 3,700 comments.

As per Stockton Police Department spokesperson Joe Silva, Meeks’ mugshot drew more attention than any other photo the department had shared since launching its Facebook page in 2012.

Despite the severity of his alleged crimes – Meeks faced multiple firearm charges – he was able to ride the wave of his newfound popularity, taking his life in a wholly different direction.

When he got out of prison in 2016, he soon transitioned into professional modeling, ultimately taking to the runway for designers like Philipp Plein and Tommy Hilfiger.

He went on to feature in movies before landing a multi-million-dollar fashion deal.

Meeks life, as the 41-year-old admitted, had been far from sunshine and roses up to that point. In a 2019 interview on the What’s Your Water podcast, he recalled: “Both of my parents were heroin addicts. I was a heroin baby … My childhood was very dark. My dad committed a murder when I was nine months old and killed my mom’s best friend.”

Jeremy’s early run-ins with the law began with typical teen mistakes —skipping school, breaking curfew — but things escalated quickly. By 10th grade, he had moved out on his own, and just two months after turning 18, he was hit with a felony charge for stealing a car.

Following his infamous arrest in 2014, he served 27-months behind bars. Since then, though, he hasn’t looked back.

After signing with White Cross Management, he told ABC News, “I’m in a place where I will be able to provide for my family and really change my life.”

Off the runway, Meeks is a devoted father to two sons — Jeremy Jr. with ex-wife Melissa and Jayden with Topshop heiress Chloe Green, whom he dated for two years. Meeks and Melissa divorced in 2018 after a decade of marriage.

While attending the premiere for Dutch III: International Gangster in July, the man who found himself the subject of so much female attention revealed that he’s been celibate for three years.

Quizzed by PEOPLE in 2024, Meeks confirmed he was single, offering a reason as to why he’s chosen to live alone in recent years.

“I am single. I’m trying to focus on myself.”

When asked about his biggest ‘turn on’, the former felon explained: “I don’t have a girl. I’ve been celibate for almost three years.”

As to why? “Cause I’m not being distracted.”