He’s too handsome to appear in photos dressed like “a common criminal”

Jul 4, 2014 18:43 GMT  ·  By

Jeremy Meeks is the latest Internet star who, according to a new report, needs a dose of reality because he’s completely out of touch. Currently in prison on a series of felony charges including street terrorism and illegal possession of firearms, he’s somehow convinced himself that he’s too handsome to allow people to see him dressed like “a common criminal.”

Meeks’ mugshot was posted on Facebook, on the official page of the Stockton Police Department in California, and it went viral within hours. Women found his masculine jawline, his full lips, his baby blue eyes, and even his impressive gang tattoos absolutely irresistible.

When the media got wind of what was happening online and just how many women (and men too) praised Meeks’ good looks to the point of even saying they would overlook the fact that he was a hardened criminal for this reason, his public profile received even a bigger boost.

Now that modeling agencies are actively pursuing him even though he’s in prison and will probably remain there for another while, and now that he has a Hollywood agent to represent him at the start of his career in showbiz, Meeks doesn’t want to have his picture taken in his jail clothes.

TMZ reports that he pleaded with a judge to allow him to wear actual clothes at hearings in his trial (as opposed to court-mandated prison clothes) but was denied. So, since he can’t win any favors with the judge, he’s determined to make sure that no one but the people in the courtroom will see him in his orange jumpsuit and handcuffs.

“Meeks’ attorney will file a motion this morning to prevent the media from taking ANY photographs or video of the hearing set for next week,” TMZ reports, noting that Meeks wanted to wear “custom-fitted clothes” in court, whatever that means.

“The docs are hilarious: the lawyer says Meeks’ mug shot has been shown by tens of thousands of media outlets, and has ‘become woven in the fabric of pop culture.’ His point – there's now so much media interest in Meeks that if he's seen in jail duds, it will make him look guilty and hurt his chances of getting an unbiased jury,” the report continues.

In other words: yes, Meeks is too handsome and suddenly too famous to be seen in prison clothes.

Since his most recent arrest (his third so far), Meeks’ mother has been telling the media that her son is being discriminated against because of his old tattoos (which no longer apply, because he’s done with gangs and is even a born-again Christian) and his track record. She insists he is not guilty of the charges brought against him, and that he was profiled by the police for these two reasons.

The other day, Meeks’ new agent revealed she had high hopes he would make up to $100,000 (€73,584) a month as a model, even in the possibility he didn’t get out of jail. For this kind of money, no wonder he wants to look “impeccable” for the cameras.