‘Tiger King’ Joe Exotic launches ‘Bachelor King’ contest to find new husband

WFLA Staff

Updated: Jul 13, 2021 / 07:16 AM CDT

FILE – In this Aug. 28, 2013, file photo, Joseph Maldonado-Passage, also known as Joe Exotic, answers a question during an interview at the zoo he runs in Wynnewood, Okla. The Oklahoma zoo, featured in Netflix’s “Tiger King” documentary, has closed after federal authorities investigated it for alleged maltreatment of animals and suspended its license. The Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park closed to the public after the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Monday, Aug. 17, 2020, suspended the exhibitor license for current-owner Jeff Lowe for 21 days.(AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Joe Exotic, the star of the Netflix docuseries “Tiger King” who is behind bars for plotting to have the owner of Tampa’s Big Cat Rescue killed, is looking for love.

Exotic, whose real name is Joseph Maldonado-Passage, launched a “Bachelor King” contest this month in hopes that he’ll find a new husband. According to a news release posted to Exotic’s website, men who are 18 and older can fill out an application to become the “next romance in Joe’s new life.”

The top three applicants will win a romantic getaway with the “Tiger King” once he’s released from prison, his website says.

Exotic is currently serving 22 years in prison after being convicted of animal abuse and a murder-for-hire plot involving Carole Baskin, who owns Big Cat Rescue in Tampa. The rivalry between Exotic and Baskin was the subject of “Tiger King.”

The “Tiger King” star had requested a pardon from former President Donald Trump last year and had been expecting a pardon before Trump left office. He did not, however, end up getting the presidential pardon.

But now, according to Exotic’s website, his legal team believes he’ll be out of prison soon.

“Joe Exotic’s criminal attorney, John Phillips and his office of attorneys out of Jacksonville, Florida, is confident that, with all the new evidence that has been obtained proving conspiracy, obstruction of justice, perjury by federal agents, and witnesses, in addition to prosecutor misconduct and the federal judge being a long-time friend of one of the main witnesses in Joe’s case, that he will be freed by the end of the year, if not sooner,” the release says.

The online news release does mention Exotic’s current husband, saying that, “Dillon has made it clear that Joe will always be in his life and they will always love each other, but may not continue to be his husband after all that has happened.”

“The opportunity to start a romantic relationship with the now famous Joe Exotic, the Tiger King, is open for discussion, as Joe is going to waste no time in getting started with his new life when released,” the announcement continues.

Applications for “The Bachelor King” can be found on Joe Exotic’s website. The contest is open now through Sept. 25 and winners will be announced on October 6.

“I have been through hell in three years and I intend on making my new life something I have always dreamed of and I want to spend it with someone that can take a relationship serious and be in love and enjoy this ride, and make this about us as a team, not just me or the man I choose to carry on with,” Exotic said in a statement. “I want to share this with someone great.”