OK, so, sure, maybe this quote wasn't actually said by Andy Warhol and was only recently proved to be incorrectly cited to him...but that doesn't make it any less valid, especially in 2014: "In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes." Solid proof of its validity? The fact that, after basically taking over the Internet this past month with his smoldering mugshot, felon-turned-meme Jeremy Meeks now reportedly has an agent. Even prisoners who are under arrest for alleged gun and gang-related charges now get their moment in the spotlight — what a time to be alive!
No joke, really: According to various sources including the Daily Mail , Meeks is now represented by agent Gina Rodriguez, who spent time working in the adult film industry before moving on to PR and representing such "stars" like Octomom, Farrah Abraham, and V. Stiviano. "Everybody has a story, and I, of all people, know that," Rodriguez told Fox411 of Meeks.
"The types of personalities that I work with are usually the people who are under fire by the media. If this was a different situation, like if someone was actually hurt or there was violence involved, I definitely would not be taking him on," Rodriguez continued. "But we don’t know Jeremy’s full story yet, and I don’t feel like he got a fair break. I really don’t. If we can help him in any way with his future and help him turn his life around, that’s what I’m about. That’s what I want to do for him."
Rodriguez went on to claim that she's in talks with "four production companies and three different modeling agencies" on behalf of Meeks.
Additionally, both Rodriguez and Meeks' lawyer Tai Bogan are looking to get Meeks outfitted in something a bit more sleek than a prison uniform, and, as Rodriguez told the Daily MaiI: "...the modeling management we are working with has a stylist who was going to dress Jeremy in a Tom Ford suit." Just like the memes!
Right. There are a lot of questionable things going on about this whole story — namely that a felon can be given this much attention in the media and momentary fame simply for taking one good picture that was a mugshot — but, perhaps the most is the fact that his arrest charges have gotten buried beneath piles of comments about his appearance. So, let's reiterate them now: Meeks was arrested for seven felony counts of alleged firearm possession, parole violation, and being an admitted member of Stockton's Northside Gangster Crips gang.
So...y'know, his bail has been set at $1 million. While of course, everyone accused of a crime deserves to be considered innocent until proven guilty — and it's possible for someone to turn their life around — these are still serious charges, even moreso when you consider Meeks has served time before for similar offenses.
But yes, by all means, let's just talk about his piercing blue eyes and impending modeling career instead.
Image: Stockton Police Department/Facebook
