Entertainment
Tiger King’s Joe Exotic and husband Dillon Passage ‘in no hurry’ to get divorced
Joe Exotic and Dillon Passage are ‘in no hurry’ to end their marriage, despite the Tiger King star’s husband announcing on social media that they would be ‘seeking a divorce.’
Dillon, who also appeared on the wildly popular Netflix docu-series, explained in a statement that they are ending their marriage but are still on ‘good terms’.
However, Joe, who is currently serving a 22-year prison sentence, is said to have had a ‘heart-to-heart’ with his husband after he made the statement, with Dillon agreeing to stay married for now.
TMZ quotes the TV star as saying: ‘Me and Dillon have talked and we are not going to get in a hurry and get a legal divorce.
‘This has been tough on both of us and he is going to do what he thinks he needs to do and I prefer to stay married right now so things don’t get complicated and if I live through this, great we will figure it out then.’
Joe, 58, added that Dillon, 23, has been there for him, and said he ‘will continue to be my support.’
A rep for Joe previously shared a statement on Instagram, saying: ‘Our firm is reviewing options with our client Joe Maldonado Passage, regarding separation and divorce. We have no comment at this time and request privacy.
‘Joe is simultaneously dealing with medical issues, civil rights violations, and the appeal of his conviction.
‘The world has come to know Joe as the bigger than life “Tiger King” but right now he is dealing with the very real hardships and injustices within our criminal justice systems and how it destroys all things a person on the outside holds dear.’
Dillon had previously penned a statement on Instagram, writing: ‘In November of 2017 I met Joe who was there for me during a difficult time in my life.
‘After just nine short months he was arrested and, for the last two and a half years, we have been apart. I’ve always stood by his side and will continue to always love and support him.’
He added that after Tiger King was released on Netflix, he felt like he had a microscope ‘looming over him’. He went on to thank his manager for helping him ‘navigate the complexity’ of his new situation.
‘I don’t feel obligated to explain to the world what occurs in my personal life and, despite Joe taking to social media to air every grievance, I don’t feel it’s the healthiest way to handle private matters between two people,’ he continued. ‘I therefore don’t intend to post any more on this subject.
‘To answer the main question the public wants to know, yes, Joe and I are seeking a divorce. This wasn’t an easy decision to make but Joe and I both understand that this situation isn’t fair to either of us.
‘It’s something that neither of us were expecting but we are going to take it day by day. We are on good terms still and I hope it can stay that way. I will continue to have Joe in my life and do my best to support him while he undergoes further legal battles to better his situation.’
He concluded: ‘Like I said in my last post, be careful of the assumptions you place on others. Everyone carries a challenge or burden you may not see. This is as true for me as it may be for you.’
Joe and Dillon have been married since 2017. Joe had previously been married to Travis Maldonado, who died after accidentally shooting himself in 2017, and John Finlay, who he split from in 2015.
Metro.co.uk has contacted reps for Dillon Passage for comment.
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