Not so “Exotic”

By now, most of the United States — no, most of the world has at least heard of the Netflix original series “Tiger King.” It is a docu series about Joe Passage-Maldanado, also known as Joe Exotic, and his love for exotic animals.

The docuseries shines a very dim light on the Oklahoma native, his workers and people he claims is family.

John Finlay was one of the main “characters” in the Joe Exotic Show.

He said he has known Passage-Maldanado for 15 years, and worked for him just as long.

During the show, Finlay was labeled as Passage-Maldanado’s husband, even though the two were never legally married. Finlay said he is not sure why they kept referring to him as the husband.

There is one thing he is sure of, the validity of the show.

“I’m not sure why they kept calling me Joe’s husband,” Finlay said, “but most of the documentary is false.”

Finlay said the director kept making Finlay act like something that was not him, at all.

They made me play it down,” Finlay said. “They wanted to make me a sex symbol, drugged out hillbilly.”

He noted that there were many interviews of him looking respectable, with his teeth in and a shirt on. However, not many of those interviews made the cut.

Finlay said that Passage-Maldonado’ sincident opened doors forhim.

When Passage-Maldonado left for Florida to begin his wild journey into the alleged murder-for-hire plot, Finlay used that as an opportunity to start his life over.

The Netflix star is currently engaged to be married. He said he met her online and she has been his rock through all of this. Their wedding date was set for 29, but unfortunately, COVID-19 forced them to postpone it for a bit.

He said he hit the jackpot when he found her.

They have similar backgrounds, so she understands what he is going through. She hashelped himthrough the storm of being a pop-up celebrity. He said she has not shied away once from anything they have faced.

Finlay said even though the “exotic” years were tough, he chooses to only look at the positive.

“Bad memories will only bring you down,” Finlay said. “I choose to focus on the good and move forward.”

He noted that he did not expect the docuseries to run wild like it did, even though his fiancé predicted it would.

He said he believes there are two things that made it an instant success; timing and content.

For one, people are home needing something to watch, and the content is nothing anybody has ever seen before. Finlay said that makes it a novelty.

Finlay said the one thing positive that came from the entire situation was The Annual Miracle Network. He spoke fondly of an 18-year-old girl from Colby, Kansas who was diagnosed with Brain Cancer. One of her bucket list items was to pet a baby lion.

Through theAnnualMiracleNetwork, and with Finlay’s help, they were able to make thewi sh come true for her before she passed away.

Finlay is taking everything in stride, and is using his celebrity status to make a difference. He has started doing speaking engagements. He is a motivational speaker and hosted his first virtual conference on April 17 for Lafayette College in Pennsylvania.