Why are Lions illegal to own in the state of California but Michael Jackson had many exotics including Lions?

I really want a pride of Lions as pets but the only problem is, is that the state of California prohibits them for such use but how come Michael Jackson got to keep so many exotics as pets and he lived in California but how come he was aloud to own all of these "wild" animals and please don't say "unless you want to get eaten or risk injury, blah blah blah, these animals can be very expensive to care for and feed, etc." but believe me I know how capable big cats are especially lions of killing people and how expensive these exotic animals can be but if it was to even happen you'd best believe that i'll do it again even though it may sound stupid and what not but I don't care, i've always dreamed of having a pride of lions as pets since I was a little boy because for one lions are like my favorite animals in the whole world and two it would be so cool to have them as pets and i'm not those type of people who would get that cute little baby animal and then when it gets to over 500 pounds and then they get afraid of it from being way too big and and can't care for anymore then they want to give it away and that's not something i'm willing to do but i'll only get one if I have the time and money to care for one and if they get full-grown into like idk? maybe dangerous adults i'm not willing to give them up because that'll just be a stupid thing to do, i'm really look forward into spending my entire life with these big cats until the day I die but what could I do to own these magnificent creatures and please don't say that "wild animals should not be kept as pets, in captivity, their very dangerous, you're gonna get killed, etc." for the last time "I DON'T CARE!" i've tried everything i've emailed the governor, the president, california fish and department, everything but still no respond, can somebody help me out here please? and back to the MJ Question?: how come he got to own all of these exotic creatures and he didn't just own a private zoo, he also kept some of them as pets too but how? if California bans "certain" exotics and the only ones that was legal to own in this state and they still are to this day was his pet Boa Constrictor "Muscles" but could somebody help me out here please? thanks.