Jeremy Meeks had a "very dark" childhood.
Jeremy Meeks
The 35-year-old model and former gang member rose to fame in 2014 after his mugshot went viral and he was dubbed the "world's hottest felon", and he has now opened up on the harrowing events that led up to his arrest and eventual fame.
He said: "Both of my parents were heroin addicts. I was a heroin baby. So, my childhood was very, very dark.
"My dad committed a murder when I was nine months old and killed my mum's best friend, because he was looking for us and she was the only one who knew where we were at. And she wouldn't tell him, so he stabbed her to death. Not knowing that we had rented the apartment right above her."
Jeremy's father went to jail for the crime, and the model was left to help his mother through her drug addiction, and had to protect her from abusive partners.
He continued: "Growing up in a heroin household is really hard. You have to grow up really fast, and fend for yourself, and bring something to the table so that everyone can eat."
The star admitted he made "bad decisions" as a child and started fighting in school, before eventually joining a gang after becoming homeless at 15.
He explained: "At a really young age, I got put on to the hood and from there, I moved out of the house at 15 and was in the streets."
Jeremy spent a total of 10 and a half years in prison overall before being convicted of grand theft and firearm possession in 2014, when his mugshot went viral.
The image saw him able to launch a modelling career, and his judge even agreed to reduce his sentence from 63 months to 27 months, so he could make the most of his newfound fame.
Speaking to businesswoman Chelsea Grayson for her 'What's Your Water' series, he said: "The only thing that saved me, which was such a blessing, was my judge. He helped me in so many ways."
Jeremy has two children, a 10-year-old son named Jeremy Jr whom he has with ex-wife Melissa, and 16-month-old son Jayden with his girlfriend and Topshop heiress Chloe Green.
He and Chloe were believed to have split earlier this year, but he has since insisted the pair are "still together".
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