In 2017, a mug shot of a young man with one blue eye and one brown eye took the internet by storm. That man was Mekhi Alante Lucky, nicknamed “Prison Bae.”
His arrest photo quickly went viral, gaining attention for his striking looks and rare heterochromia. It wasn’t long before modeling agencies came calling.
He signed with St. Claire Modeling and walked the runway at New York Fashion Week. He modeled for brands like Helmut Lang and appeared in a 2018 feature in Vogue Paris.
Just like that, a felon became a fashion headline. But what happened next?
Fast Facts
- Name: Mekhi Alante Lucky (aka “Prison Bae”)
- Viral Moment: 2017 mugshot went viral due to his striking heterochromia
- Career Highlight: Walked for Helmut Lang during New York Fashion Week
- Legal Update: Arrested in 2023 for attempted murder; last known in legal proceedings
- Current Status: No verified public presence as of August 2025
From Mug Shot to Model to Missing
At his peak, Mekhi represented a new kind of fame, one born from controversy but carried by charisma. The media loved the “hot felon” narrative.
However, his time in the spotlight did not last long. After 2018, his modeling appearances stopped. His social media, once active, began to quiet down.
By 2023, headlines reappeared, but for the wrong reasons. Mekhi was arrested in Knightdale, North Carolina, and charged with attempted first-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon.
This shocking turn marked the end of his public career. Once a symbol of second chances, Mekhi was now facing serious legal trouble again.
View this post on Instagram
Why He Disappeared
Mekhi’s legal problems date back to 2016. Before the fame, he had already been arrested five times between April and December of that year. Charges included speeding, driving a stolen vehicle, assault on a female, breaking and entering, resisting arrest, and parole violations.
His 2023 arrest, however, changed everything. He was accused in a shooting incident and charged with multiple felonies.
This likely ended any modeling hopes and pushed him away from public life. Fame could not protect him from real-world consequences.
Since then, there have been no verified sightings, appearances, or updates. He faded from view as quickly as he entered it.
What We Know About His Life Now
As of August 2025, Mekhi Alante Lucky is believed to be in Raleigh, North Carolina. His last public record ties to a serious arrest in 2023, where he was charged with attempted first-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon following a shooting at a Knightdale sports bar. Based on the severity of the charges, he was last known to be involved in legal proceedings, though no official incarceration records have been made public.
No new modeling work has emerged. His Instagram profile has shown limited public activity, but its current status remains unverified as of August 2025. His income sources are also unclear, and there is no sign of social media monetization or brand work.
Back when his modeling career was rising, Mekhi shared what mattered most to him in an interview with Essence magazine:
“When my daughter was born, she’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.” – Mekhi Alante Lucky
This quote offered a rare look into his emotional world and reminded fans that behind the fame was a young father trying to do better.
View this post on Instagram
Mekhi’s daughter Brooke was born in June 2017, just as his mugshot was becoming famous. At the time, he spoke with pride and emotion about her. Since then, however, no public updates or photos have surfaced.
There is no evidence of a current partner or family involvement. Whether his legal troubles affected his role as a father is unknown, but it is clear that the family side of his life has remained private and possibly painful.
View this post on Instagram
The Downfall of a Viral Star
Mekhi’s downfall is not a mystery. It began with repeated arrests and ended with a serious felony charge. But emotionally, it is also a story of missed transformation. He had a rare chance, a second act in fashion that many never get.
Unlike Jeremy Meeks, another viral “hot felon” who built a long-term modeling career, Mekhi’s opportunity slipped away. Meeks benefitted from strong industry connections and high-profile relationships, including with Topshop heiress Chloe Green, which gave him a media boost Mekhi did not have. Whether it was the weight of past behavior, lack of support, or deeper personal struggles, Mekhi’s path forward collapsed under old patterns.
His unique look helped him break into modeling. But legal trouble kept him from holding onto that success.
Many viral stars find ways to pivot, whether through acting, social media, or brand deals. Mekhi did not. After his brief modeling run, there were no signs of reinvention, no reality show appearances, and no new online brand.
This absence was not just quiet. It marked a missed moment. The world was watching, but Mekhi never returned to claim his spotlight. His silence now feels like a story of what might have been.
His story reminds us that attention is not the same as opportunity.
Curious where the first Millionaire winner is now? Read what happened to John Carpenter →
FAQ
Yes. As of August 2025, Mekhi Lucky is alive, though not active publicly.
Legal troubles, including a 2023 arrest for attempted murder, pushed him out of public life.
No. His modeling career ended around 2018, and he has not made a comeback.