‘Tiger King' Star
Playboy Africa|September 2020
Saff Saffery Opens Up About Sex, Drugs and Joe Exotic
Ryan Gajewski
‘Tiger King' Star
A key draw of Tiger King, the Netflix series that has become 2020’s omnipresent pop culture phenomenon, is that each cast member seems more eccentric and baffling than the last. This helps to explain why zoo employee SaffSaffery has emerged as a breakout star: He’s one of the few voices of reason on the show.

Saffery worked for Joseph Maldonado-Passage, a.k.a. Joe Exotic, at the G.W. Zoo in Oklahoma for nearly a decade before leaving in 2018. Footage of the 2013 tiger attack that led to the amputation of the Hawaii native’s left hand is one of the most visceral and jarring moments on a show lousy with jawdropping reveals.

Saffery seems conflicted about his decision to move to southern California and take a job that doesn’t involve animals, given his enduring passion for wildlife. But he’s certainly enjoying his celebrity—relishing photo opportunities with excited fans during essential shopping trips and even joining Cameo to deliver heartfelt messages at $75 a pop.

Taking a call from Playboy last weekend, he was as upbeat and forthright as ever while discussing his life before, during and after the filming of the series. Saffery, who turns 34 this year, spoke at length about the show’s depiction of sexuality, including Joe Exotic’s marriages, the continued investigation into the disappearance of Carole Baskin’s husband, the one thing he wishes the show did differently and the tweets stating Saffery was misgendered on the show. Attention, Hollywood casting directors: He also has thoughts on whether a certain Twilight hunk should portray him in a hypothetical film adaptation.

PLAYBOY: Tiger King includes footage from the tiger attack that cost you your hand. Is that a moment you think about often?

This story is from the September 2020 edition of Playboy Africa.

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This story is from the September 2020 edition of Playboy Africa.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.