Afterward, Haynes began modeling in campaigns for Kira Plastinina, J. He subsequently appeared in a Bruce Weber photo shoot for Abercrombie & Fitch. Haynes began his career as a model at the age of fifteen in New York City, New York. His father died by suicide during Haynes's teen years, and Haynes was told that his being gay is what drove his father to kill himself.
He has said that he experienced bullying due to his sexuality, and that he ran away from home for a time due to his mother's negative reaction to it.
Haynes's parents were divorced his father was married seven times. He attended Navarre High School in Florida and Andale High School in Kansas, and graduated from Samuel Clemens High School in Schertz, Texas. He grew up on a farm in Andale and has also lived in Arkansas, New Mexico, Texas and Florida. He has described his parents as 'free-spirited hippies.' Haynes has five siblings, including brothers Clinton and Joshua, and a sister, Willow. Colton Lee Haynes was born either in Wichita, Kansas, or Andale, Kansas, a town of 900.
