Netflix docu-series Tiger King seems to be the only show on people’s lips during this strange time. I haven’t personally seen it because I made the very good decision of juggling rewatching both Twin Peaks and The Sopranos so forgive me if I sound like a Joe Exotic novice here.

A couple of eagle-eyed fans have discovered a bizarre connection between one of the series core subjects and pop sensation turned socialist icon Britney Spears. So it goes, animal trainer Bhagavan ‘Doc Antle’ shared the stage with Britney Spears during her career-defining performance of ‘I’m a Slave 4 U’ at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2001. The performance is undoubtedly the most iconic of Spears’ career. It featured the popstar draped in a seven-foot long python and has since become a touchstone in pop culture history.

Tiger King enthusiasts will be thrilled to learn that the performance features Antle on stage with Britney, standing in a cage behind her handling tigers. You can revisit the performance below.

Watch: Britney Spears – ‘I’m a Slave 4 U’ at the 2001 Video Music Awards

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBlBaCigDAs&feature=emb_title

Antle’s involvement in Britney’s performance might not be the only Tiger King x Britney Spears crossover. A photo has been circulating Twitter that shows Spears at the 2002 VMA awards sitting next to a woman who bears an uncanny resemblance to Carole Baskin, the antagonist of the series. It is yet to be confirmed whether or not the woman is indeed Baskin but we’ve got to commend the conspiracy theorists who have put their time in self-isolation to good use.

Antle’s involvement in pop culture runs deep. The trainer worked on films Dr. Dolittle and Ace Ventura: Pet Detective. He also provided animals for films The Jungle Book, Mighty Joe Young, and The War.

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