It’s not every day a mugshot turns someone into an overnight celebrity. But for these 10 individuals, getting arrested led to unexpected fame—not because of their crimes, but because the internet couldn’t stop thirsting over their looks. From smoldering stares to model-tier cheekbones, here are ten people whose mugshots broke the internet.
7. Lily Stewart
Lily Stewart became internet-famous after her mugshot went viral thanks to her striking red hair and piercing green eyes. Her ethereal, almost cinematic appearance had people commenting that she looked more like an actress from a period drama than someone who’d just been booked. It wasn’t long before modeling scouts started reaching out.
6. Mirella Ponce
A member of the Tiny Rascal Gang, Mirella Ponce was arrested in California and immediately went viral. Her combination of face tattoos, flawless makeup, and fierce confidence sparked thousands of retweets and debates—some about beauty, others about gang culture.
5 Donald “Chip” Pugh
After missing a court date, Chip Pugh decided to send the police a new selfie to replace his mugshot—because he didn’t like the original one. “Here is a better photo,” he said. The audacity, combined with his suave looks, turned him into a viral sensation overnight.
4. Angela Coates
A former Jet magazine beauty, Angela Coates was arrested in Georgia, but when her mugshot hit the internet, people weren’t asking about her charges—they were asking who her modeling agent was. She was immediately dubbed “the new mugshot bae.”
3. Sean Kory
Arrested after attacking someone at a Halloween parade in Santa Cruz, Sean Kory became famous for his dreadlocks, defined features, and the intensity of his glare. Social media dubbed him the “next Jeremy Meeks.”
2. Mekhi Alante Lucky
Known as “Prison Bae” before Meeks took the crown, Mekhi went viral for his unique appearance—specifically his striking blue eye (he has heterochromia). The internet couldn’t get enough, and modeling agencies quickly took notice.
1. Jeremy Meeks
The OG “Hot Felon,” Jeremy Meeks is the poster child for viral mugshots. Arrested on weapons charges, his icy-blue eyes, high cheekbones, and model bone structure launched a modeling career—and even landed him a spot on Fashion Week runways.
These cases prove that sometimes, your looks can overshadow even a criminal record—at least when the internet is involved. Fame is unpredictable, and for these ten, one snapshot was all it took.
