How Gold Coast model Jordan Barrett rose to fame

THIS is how the son of a convicted Gold Coast cannabis kingpin went from Palm Beach schoolboy to international model who counts Bella Hadid and Paris Hilton as his mates.

GOLD COAST model Jordan Barrett says he spends most of his time working and finds it hard to understand his party boy image.

Barrett, 20, has starred opposite Gigi Hadid in a Tommy Hilfiger TV commercial, appeared in a Fergie music video alongside Kim Kardashian and Chrissy Teigen, sat front row with Kate Moss and kept the world guessing in cosy social snaps of “mates” Bella Hadid and Paris Hilton.

The Daily Edited shoot featuring model Jordan Barrett. Picture: Paula Scala

But he insists his ‘bad boy’ reputation is undeserved.

“This whole bad boy comment, how people perceive me, that’s more of like a funny thing I guess. Because really I work every day. I’m going to work,” he said.

“You know, I have a lot of fun while I’m there … I try to make everything fun. I don’t want things to be boring. I guess that’s how that name came about.”

Barrett is the son of convicted Gold Coast cannabis kingpin Adrian Barrett, who was jailed for his involvement in a $12 million drug ring.

He has gone from a 13-year-old scouted at a Palm Beach grocery store to the hottest male model in the world, working for the likes of Balmain and Versace and notching up a string of Vogue covers.

Another day in the life of a famous model.."Sunrise always beats sunset. Welcome to the Breakfast club @georgiafowler @levidylan6." Picture: Jordan Barrett / Instagram

But he still makes sure to keep in touch with his mates on the Gold Coast.

“My friends back home are supportive – it just sucks that I don’t get to see them so often,” he said.

“Sometimes they ask me for tickets for festivals and whatever I can get I’m glad I’m able to do that.

“I’m always getting requests, but it’s nice to be able to do that. A lot of them right now want Coachella tickets.”

Jordan Barrett in Milan for Dolce & Gabbana

Barrett, who headlined the David Jones season launch in Sydney last night, said despite what he has already achieved in his career he has no intention of slowing down any time soon.

“There’s a million things I still want to do,” he said.

“David Jones was my first show in Australia – I was a little nervous that time, but this time … three years later, this time is a little different.

“I see (what I’ve done so far in modelling) as opening doors to a million opportunities, on film and behind the camera.

“It feels like I’ve been in high school learning all these different things by being in the fashion industry

Bella Hadid and Jordan Barrett in Cannes. Source: Instagram

“I’ve been learning what the photographers are doing and now that’s become an interest of mine.

“I’ve also designed a unisex fashion line, comfortable everyday wear and collaborated on eyewear with another company.”