JP Wilson, The Magician From ‘Tiger King,’ Tells TMZ What It Was Like To Work With Joe Exotic
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Published -
- April 14, 2020
- 8:30 am
JP Wilson, the magician from ‘Tiger King,’ tells TMZ … he met Joe back in 2004
During a magic show in Norman, OK Joe supplied him with a tiger. JP says Joe was so impressed with his magic, Exotic brought him on tour.
What does JP Wilson think about Joe Exotic’s passion for caring for exotic animals, despite his legal troubles?
JP Wilson, The Magician From ‘Tiger King,’ Tells TMZ What It Was Like To Work With Joe Exotic
The Netflix documentary series “Tiger King” introduced us to a cast of colorful characters, including Joe Exotic – the flamboyant, gun-toting former zoo owner who is currently serving a 22-year prison sentence for a murder-for-hire plot and other charges. One of Joe’s eccentric associates was JP Wilson, a magician who frequently performed at Joe’s zoo.
In a recent interview with TMZ, JP Wilson shared his experiences of working with Joe Exotic. Wilson revealed that he met Joe in 2002 when he was hired to perform at a fund-raiser for the zoo. The two hit it off, and Wilson became a regular feature at Joe’s events. Wilson even developed a signature trick where he would make a live tiger appear and disappear during his act.
Despite Joe’s legal troubles and tawdry reputation, Wilson insists that he never saw Joe mistreat his animals. Wilson told TMZ that Joe’s zoo was clean and well-maintained, and his animals were well-fed and cared for. Wilson added that Joe often slept in his truck near the animal enclosures to ensure their safety.
However, Wilson did admit that Joe could be temperamental and difficult to work with at times. Wilson cited a particular incident when Joe demanded that Wilson perform in a cage full of lions and tigers. Wilson refused, believing it was too dangerous, and Joe became angry and threatened to end their professional relationship.
Even with Joe’s erratic behavior, Wilson says he still considers Joe a friend and believes that Joe genuinely cares about his animals. Wilson told TMZ that he hopes Joe can one day be released from prison and return to his passion for caring for exotic animals.
In conclusion, JP Wilson’s insight into Joe Exotic adds yet another layer to the mystique of the “Tiger King” saga. His perspective as a performer and animal lover sheds more light on Joe’s character and the conditions at his zoo. While Wilson avoids discussing Joe’s legal troubles directly, he gives a nuanced and revealing look at a man many people have only seen through the lens of a Netflix documentary.
