Fashion Model Jeremy Ruehlemann Raised In Mahwah Dies At 27

MAHWAH, NJ — A model raised in Mahwah who shot to stardom has died at the young age of 27, according to friends and industry professionals.

Jeremy Ruehlemann — whose credits include work with GQ, Perry Ellis and Superdry — was also the muse of Christian Siriano, the celebrity designer said in a farewell Instagram post.

"This is for Jeremy, the most beautiful man that gave so much love to everyone he met no matter what," Siriano said. "He inspired me and I will love him forever."

Ruehlemann's modeling career began in 2017 after he dropped out of Rowan University in Glassboro — where he'd been studying psychology — to pursue his dreams of high fashion, according to his LinkedIn profile.

"Traveling and socializing with people from all over the world has taught me more about how people work than any psychology class ever could," Ruehlemann wrote.

"It has also taught me a lot about confidence, and how to pull it from the inside as opposed to obtaining it through achievement, because the modeling industry has just as much to do with rejection as it does with praise."

Ruehlemann was represented by Soul Artist Management, whose founder confirmed the sad news of Ruehlemann's death on Instagram.

"(Jeremy) truly was and will always be one of a kind," model agent Jason Kanner said. "(He) was authentically himself. Salt of the earth. There was something about him that made you root for him. I will miss you Jeremy."

Before Ruehlemann was a model, he worked at his stepfather's restaurant Mack's American Bar & Grille in Pompton Lakes, New Jersey, he noted on his online profile.

"Doing things well and making people proud are huge motivators for me," Ruehlemann wrote.

Childhood friend Gianni Simpson was among the first to break the news on Facebook, where he shared photos and memories of the young model, whom he affectionately called "Jerm."

"We bonded over feeling like our parents couldn’t deal with us as trouble teenagers," Simpson wrote. "Basically what I’m saying is what Gianni liked Jerm like and what Jerm like Gianni like.

"From your lil big brother I love you."