Jeremy Meeks Talks Second Chance At Life With New Career Path

Written by Ty Cole@tycoletv

Sometimes, all you need is a second chance to turn your life around and that's exactly what viral sensation Jeremy Meeks did. Many of you may know Meeks from his viral mugshot that surfaced on the internet back in 2014 when the Stockton Police Department uploaded his photo amongst other men's mugshots on their Facebook page. After going viral after 24 hours on social media, he appeared on digital publications like Buzzfeed and became a popular meme that is still used to this day.

After being released in March of 2016 Jim Jordan, photographer and talent agent of White Cross Management, signed Meeks to a contract. For the past 5 years, Meeks has appeared on NYFW, Milan Fashion Week, Tommy Hilfiger campaigns, and has graced the acting world making his film debut in the BET+ film Trigger. Currently, he's starring in the Amazon Prime film, Secret Society, which is a cautionary tale filled with high fashion, high lifestyle, and even higher drama. The film stars Reyna Love and Erica Pinkett ("Love & Hip Hop) who play two trans women who 'play the game' far too well, and they’re winning too. But when the secret they both share comes out, that same shovel that got them out of the dirt could very well bury them. The film is based on the best selling novel of the same name by author Miasha Coleman.

Your Voice Magazine correspondent, Ty Cole spoke to the rising actor/model about his new film Secret Society, currently streaming on Amazon Prime, where Meeks shared what he's doing differently this time since gaining a second chance to turn his life around.

"To be honest, I never thought that I would have a passion for acting. I come from a different world where all my accomplishments are a blessing because statistically, I'm not supposed to be here. I did 10 years in prison and now I'm shooting movies - it's an honor. I would've never imagined."

Erica Pinkett, best known for her appearance Love and & Hip Hop Atlanta: Season 3, shared how she's also changing her image around as she continues acting.

"In this business, it's all business for me. Everything you've ever seen me on has been contracted, paid work. I have a theatre background and Love & Hip Hop was another business venture for me. Prior to Love & Hip Hop, I've done other work like All Eyez On Me, How High 2, and Steppin Back To Love on TV One. Unfortunately, the world likes to pick up on a chapter of your life and assume the chapter is the whole book, however, it's still being written.

You can stream 'Secret Society' now and look out for Secret Society 2 coming soon.