It seems the whole world has become hooked on Tiger King: Murder Mayhem and Madness since it dropped on Netflix last month.
Everyone has had an opinion on the deeply-running feud between big cat obsessives, Joe Exotic and Carole Baskin, which (spoiler) results in Exotic going to prison for allegedly organising a hit against nemesis Baskin, as well as several counts of animal cruelty.
But it’s not just us normal folk who have been left startled at the documentary’s events – with the showbiz circuit also obsessing with Tiger King. Some have even turned to Instagram to do their very best impressions of the eccentric cast of characters featured.
And while Orlando Bloom is reportedly “the front runner” to play Joe Exotic in any film adaptation of the truly bizarre events, that hasn’t stopped other celebrities having a go at playing the Tiger King himself…(or “cool cat” Carole Baskin, if you’re so inclined).
1. Thomas Lennon
Speaking on Stephen Colbert’s Late Show, the American actor – who has appeared in films such as Bad Teacher and Night at the Museum – left fans second-guessing as to whether or not he was the real Tiger King, after Lennon dressed up as Joe Exotic.
In a blonde wig and several hoop earrings, Lennon serenaded the audience with the comedic song A Liger Ate My Shoes.
2. Dave Hughes
Australian comedian Dave ‘Hughesy’ Hughes took to Facebook live to give a remarkably on-the-money impression of Baskin, adopting a dodgy southern American accent as he echoed her “cool cats and kittens” catchphrase. B- for effort, Dave.
3. Kerry Katona
Perhaps one of the weirdest things to come from the lockdown, Kerry Katona (from the aptly named Atomic Kitten) donned blue eyeshadow and a crazed expression as she pretended to be Carole Baskin while in quarantine for coronavirus symptoms.
4. Laura Whitmore
Teaming up with her Love Island narrator beau Iain Stirling, Whitmore adopted a filter to channel the Tiger King in a TikTok video, and lip-synched to one of Joe Exotic’s self-penned songs.
She captioned the post: “In the dark space of Tiger King isolation” – indeed.
5. Jared Leto
The method actor luckily hasn’t gone to his usual extremes to channel Joe Exotic, but the 48-year-old has had fun dressing up as the Tiger King.
Donning a cowboy hat, a gold and purple glittery jacket and bright red trousers, Leto posed with a toy tiger for his Instagram.
The picture came after he hosted his very own Tiger King viewing party for his followers.
6. Dax Shepard
The American actor is already convinced he’d be the perfect choice to play Joe Exotic in a Hollywood biopic. And while Fight Club actor has different ideas, this photoshopped image of Shepard’s face over Exotic’s is pretty convincing, no?
7. Chrissy Teigen
So this may not be strictly an impression, but it was too funny not to include.
The 34-year-old is seemingly pushing for her son Miles to play Joe Exotic, photoshopping his head onto an image. Cute!
Tiger King is available to stream on Netflix now
