Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness became a worldwide phenomenon when it hit Netflix in 2020 during the pandemic. People were intrigued by the chaotic premise that focused on the surreptitious world of breeding big cats and the secrets harboured by the community. With the show gaining superstardom, the central figure Joe Exotic became somewhat of a pop-cultural phenomenon and gained the centre stage.
The second season is on its way but not without controversy arising from Carole Baskin and her family.
Directed by Eric Goode and Rebecca Chaiklin, the docu-series focused on Joe Exotic, the self-proclaimed Tiger King, who had an obsession with wild cats that he kept at his Wynnewood zoo, named G.W. Exotic Animal Zoo. It was also a tourist attraction besides being a big cat shelter.
He became such an iconic figure after the release of the series that he triggered the comeback of blonde mullets and horseshoe moustaches. Joe Exotic was also one of the most popular Halloween costumes, besides being the face of innumerable memes and videos.
Exotic was charged with the murder-for-hire plot against his arch-nemesis Carole Baskin as well as for his unprecedented crimes against animals. He had allegedly hired two men – one of them being an FBI undercover agent – to help him carry out his vicious plot of murdering Baskin.
Proven guilty, Exotic is now serving 22-year imprisonment, starting from 2020. However, he has recently appealed for an early release with the reason being quite shocking and tragic.
Exotic took to Instagram to reveal a recent diagnosis of “aggressive cancer” in his prostate that seems to have broken his spirit. He wrote, “Right now I don’t want anyone’s pity and I’m sure Carole Will have her own party over this!”
Pleading with the world to lobby for his early acquittal, he went on to proclaim his innocence. He said that he had enough proof to stop the district attorney from prolonging the process.
Exotic also explained why he wanted to go home and recover via necessary treatment, besides trying to enjoy what little is left of his life with his loved ones. He also declared that he is awaiting more test results to confirm the same.
Check out his post below: