Thus far, all of Joe Exotic’s ploys to get out of prison have failed.
The infamous Tiger King star remains behind bars and may remain there for decades.
His young husband, Dillon Passage, took to social media to share plans for an amicable divorce.
Despite the circumstances, however, Joe is reportedly insisting that they’re not rushing into a split.
“In November of 2017 I met Joe,” 25-year-old Dillon Passage recalled on Instagram over the weekend.
He described his 58-year-old husband as someone “who was there for me during a difficult time in my life.”
“After just 9 short months he was arrested,” Dillon noted.
“And,” Dillon continued, “for the last two and a half years, we have been apart.”
“I’ve always stood by his side,” he emphasized.
“And,” Dillon affirmed, “will continue to always love and support him.”
“When Tiger King was released on Netflix a year ago,” Dillon began.
He continued: “my life was thrown into a world of media and public attention.”
Dillon described this experience as “something that was completely foreign to me.”
“I felt as if I had a microscope constantly looming over me,” Dillon described.
He expressed that this was an experience “which was and still is incredibly uncomfortable.”
“With everyone pulling me in different directions,” Dillon wrote, “I found my manager @jefftduncan.”
Dillon described his manager as someone “who, despite Joe’s recent social media tirades against, has always acted in my best interest.”
“And,” he continued, “helped me navigate the complexity of the new situation I found myself in.”
“I don’t feel obligated to explain to the world what occurs in my personal life,” Dillon emphasized.
“And,” Dillon continued, “despite Joe taking to social media to air every grievance.”
He wrote: “I don’t feel it’s the healthiest way to handle private matters between two people.”
Dillon shared: “I therefore don’t intend to post any more on this subject. “
“To answer the main question the public wants to know,” Dillon addressed.
He told his fans and followers that “yes, Joe and I are seeking a divorce.”
Nine months together, years of being separated by bars. That’s not easy.
“This wasn’t an easy decision to make,” Dillon admitted.
“But,” he shared, “Joe and I both understand that this situation isn’t fair to either of us.”
Dillon acknowledged: “It’s something that neither of us were expecting.”
“But,” Dillon reflected, “we are going to take it day by day.”
“We are on good terms still,” he added.
“And,” Dillon expressed, “I hope it can stay that way.”
“I will continue to have Joe in my life,” Dillon affirmed.
“And,” he continued, “do my best to support him.”
Dillon wrote that he will support Joe “while he undergoes further legal battles to better his situation.”
“Like I said in my last post,” Dillon advised, “be careful of the assumptions you place on others.”
He noted: “Everyone carries a challenge or burden you may not see.”
Dillon concluded his caption: “This is as true for me as it may be for you.”
TMZ spoke to Joe Exotic’s attorney, who was able to share excerpts from an email from Joe.
“Me and Dillon have talked and we are not going to get in a hurry and get a legal divorce,” Joe reportedly wrote.
“This has been tough on both of us,” the disgraced former zoo owner acknowledged.
“And,” Joe wrote, “he is going to do what he thinks he needs to do.”
“And I prefer to stay married right now,” he added, “so things don’t get complicated.”
“And if I live through this great,” Joe expressed, “we will figure it out then …”
“He still answers the phone three times a day,” Joe noted to his attorney.
“And,” he added, Dillon “will continue to be my support.”
Dillon’s Instagram post is still up, however. It’s unclear what we should make of this he-said, he-said.
