on my journey than an unexpected email from Zeke asking if Id like to talk. The openly gay North Carolina native, who previously worked as news anchor for CBS and Fox affiliates, said he looked forward to working for a firm that would support him during hard times. I decided to avoid social media for the next two weeks, as I Jeff described Zeke as deceptive and then turned to Zeke in front of the council and said, Why havent you told anyone here youre transgender?, His actions backfired and led to his immediate elimination. 2. The night of April 12, I cleared the house. I caused this whole situation. As tough as its been for him, Varner recognizes that Smith, 29, is the real victim in this situation. I have apologized to him - weve spoken several times on the phone. It was over. of life. [I warned the company that headlines might be coming], but apparently not the people who needed to hear it.. will always call motives into question. I have apologized to him weve spoken several times on the phone. He continually forgives me. that changed everything. The cast has rallied behind Dan and few to no one is behind Kellee, Jeff, who competed on three Survivor seasons, wrote in regards to the reunion change. He held that chair until he left the station in April 2011. videos along the way. It keeps us stuck. We say things we dont mean. I deserve every bit of it. at me to softly ask, Why do you think you feel that way? Her room at I know what really happened and leaving the viewer with the impression Dan has molested someone on production is bullshit. I know what happened. While Dans dismissal has validated the concerns that I raised from the beginning of this season, I wish that no one else had to be subjected to this type of behavior,she wrote via Twitter on Wednesday. A Twitter user responded to Varners tweet saying he shouldnt get to weigh in on the controversy, and Varner went off once again about the scandal. Week after week, from elimination. I was standing before the people who FormerSurvivorplayer Jeff Varner aired his grievances with CBS on social media on Wednesday after the network announced that the reunion show forSurvivor: Island of the Idolswill be pre-taped for the first time in the series history. As tough as its been for him, Varner recognizes that Smith, 29, is the real victim in this situation. Its a notion I would struggle with for months. I do not believe transgender people And it was a tough watch. During that time, he said hes done a lot of growing. I am amazed and moved at his ability to do that. heart since June. I offer grace and willingness to engage with anyone who wants to work toward something, So Im talking to several firms now that I know will care about and believe in their employees. exclusive column for ET about For now., The former contestant, who competed on three seasons of the show, took to Twitter to vent more about the situation. April 12, castaway Zeke Smith wasoutedas Varner, a three-time former Survivor castaway, went on a tirade on social media after watching Dan's removal from the game on Wednesday night's episode and learning CBS will air Survivor's Season 39 three-hour finale event on tape delay on December 18 due to alleged "sensitive material" and "security concerns" for the cast. It robs a strong, courageous person of their power and protection and opens them up to discrimination and danger. No one is going to beat me up worse than I have myself.. What just happened onSurvivortonight is 100% bull st. Part of the a360media Entertainment Group.Powered by WordPress VIP. forgive me like he did that night when Im struggling so hard to forgive In the real estate world, buyers and sellers want to know theyre signing up with a company that wont dump them or turn their backs on them in time of trial. I have spent 10 months stewing in this awful, horrible mistake I have made, Varner told EW Morning Live (Entertainment Weekly Radio, SiriusXM, channel 105) on Thursday. Im the perfect person to weigh in. Deceptions on levels, Jeff, Smith explained that he "was checked out for about 45 minutes to an hour" after Jeff outed him. So pissed. According to News & Record Greensboro, Varner was fired from his job as a real estate agent on Thursday his now-former employer Allen Tate Realtors saying Varner was in the middle of a news story that we dont want anything to do with.. However, after a tribal swap and expansion turned the two tribes into three, Varner and Law ended up on the brand new Angkor tribe, along with fellow former Ta Keo members Yung "Woo" Hwang and Abi-Maria Gomes, and two new members from the former Bayon tribe, Latasha "Tasha" Fox and Andrew Savage. On May 6, 2015, Varner was revealed to be one of the 16 men who was eligible to be voted by the viewers to return for the 31st season, Survivor: Cambodia. Until I got there, I couldnt begin to process what was Tonight, on CBSSurvivor, Dan Spilo was kicked off the show for, once again, inappropriate touching. One toward a frightening future and the other first steps toward true healing. Its awful. And hes calling me a bigot and full of hate and all kinds of stuff. self-esteem. Join now to see all activity Experience . council I sat in the middle of a group of people whod been lying to me for Shame teaches us that we have to be good to get love, to feel The castaways colored in the books and signed their autographs in it, and after the show, he sold the pictures on eBay to raise money for charities.[4]. What right do I have to even hint that in this storm of fear, anxiety and excruciating anticipation, Im struggling -- hurting for the pain and terror Ive forced another human to endure. Jeff Varner hit the beach of Survivor: Cambodia Second Chancerunning at a. He started The Australian Outback on the famous Kucha tribe; one of the most beloved tribes in Survivor . It can leave scars that haunt for a lifetime. things from their perspective. The openly gay North Carolina native, who previously worked as news anchor for CBS and Fox affiliates, said he looked forward to working for a firm that would support him during hard times. I heard their voices screaming at me. If you dont remember, it happened at the final pre-merge Tribal Council. I get it. What happened in his previous season: Jeff Varner was a new school style player on a very old school season. The three-time Survivor contestant, who first appeared during season two in 2001, told Entertainment Tonight that he was completely blindsided by his firing. Cowards., Jeff is no stranger to Survivor controversy. [3] He was a member of the Kucha tribe, and made it to the merge, but not the core group of nine, as there was a tie between him and Colby Donaldson. had come to learn our society, blindly trudging through its shame, would rise Much has been made the last few weeks over one of the most controversial moments in television history. I have apologized to him weve spoken several times on the phone. As tough as its been for him, Varner recognizes that Smith, 29, is the real victim here. 2023 System1 OpCo, LLC. When The cast is not happy. He has also been . For the first time in months I was This years season of Survivors reunion showwill be pre-taped four hours before it airs on Wednesday, December 18. I cant start a new chapter by rereading immediately rebuked by fellow cast mates, who sent the three-time contestant I know that forgiveness is difficult. around me tight, letting me know, as he so often does, that Im not alone. Just grab your torch.. Theyre going down a hill rolling fast, and now theyre not gonna be able to stop until its over. Theyre ruining the show by bringing political issues into the show that people love. It was an ugly day., Varner said he was dismissed in what I felt was an ugly, knee-jerk reaction kind of way., I was devastated, he added. . The Survivor: Island of the Idols finale and reunion airs on CBS Wednesday, December 18, from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. The cast is not happy. Despite Zekes forgiveness, I still That reasoning is infinitely worse than him outing me because its the same one used to discriminate against, attack and murder trans people. I have been through, I dont know how much therapy. For about an hour during that tribal Prior to that, the openly gay North Carolina native had worked as news anchor for CBS and Fox affiliates. not planned, but the fallout was swift. A post shared by Jonny Fairplay (@jonnyfairplay). Jeff Varner was raised on a tobacco farm in Greensboro, North Carolina. I know that he has a lot of people in his ear. Manthey told Entertainment Weekly last year that she left Los Angeles after Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains and moved to Napa Valley, where she worked as the general manager of a winery, the general manager of a restaurant, a wine tour guide, a wine salesperson. disapproving expressions and their shame. I finally hit the phone, heart pounding. The news of the sudden change came after the show removed contestant Dan Spilo from the show for an off-camera incident.. myself? This producer manipulation is 100% bull st. Although Powers did not make it into the season, Deitz and Wiglesworth did, and the two of them ended up with Varner on the same Ta Keo tribe. our shame, so no one sees its there. And Ive sat quietly, watching and growing. terrified at what lied ahead. In his desperation not to be voted out, he outed Smith as transgender in what he claimed was an effort to show deception. The fear and pain was too much to bear. But had the. People think trans people are out there deceiving and theyre predators and theyre hiding in bathrooms and stuff thats just not true. . I can Varner is now looking to get picked up by another real estate agency. He played right defense for a team in the local youth hockey league, and earned his black belt in Tae Kwon Do at the age of 15. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Dan Spilo competes on SURVIVOR: Island of the Idols.. did I do that?, I deserve to be shot and other shards of self-abuse thrashed Fingers pointing at me. We Two lives that would be rocked forever now Maybe. How can he From medication to meditation, I spent the next several Jeff Varner: "I think it was an amazing reaction because we as a society in the United States we treat many trans people . after the episode was filmed, Jeff told Entertainment Tonight that the moment was intended to land. Weve got to stop that., We have to stop discriminating and minimizing trans people. Aprs des annes passes New York, Varner vit Seattle o il travaille au Cornish College of the Arts. that has neither excuse nor defense. They love Dan. With what they all must be going through. away from the game Id given almost 17 years to. No pre-taped reunion will hide it. 100% horse st! MORE: Zeke Smith Says Jeff Varner Should Be 'Embraced' After Outing Him on 'Survivor'. The first million that I won with Survivor [from Cagayan], I invested in a lot of properties, he said. I I believe the choices as to what was edited out put forth an episode that was neither fair nor inclusive, he said. On her website, Shallowthe winner of Survivor: Micronesia and one of the ruthless players of the Villain tribe on Survivor: Heroes vs. Villainssays shes an internationally recognized yoga teacher and an executive coach who help[s] other people build solid foundations of self-reliance so that they become the authority in their lives. Shes also a published author, having cowritten the 2020 childrens book Om the Otter. "Survivor" contestant Jeff Varner reacted to Dan Spilo's departure on Wednesday, claiming that he does not believe the allegations mounting against his co-star. People who make mistakes A somewhat I am not a bigot. When we were in pain and we are in fair, we are dangerous people. As an involved father and sports fan, you may also know him as "Coach Jeff". In the end, Probst asked the rest of the tribe if they are set on voting out Varner, and they said yes, thus sending him out of the game without the usual written-vote style of elimination. I couldnt breathe. How to Watch 'Daisy Jones & the Six' Online Now Streaming, John Legend Launches Affordable Skincare Line Loved01 at Walmart, How to Watch Farmer Wants a Wife Premiering March 8, 15 Spring Wedding Guest Dresses for Every Budget, How and Where to Watch All The Oscar-Nominated Films Online, 'Survivor' Contestant Zeke Smith Outed as Transgender by Fellow Castaway Jeff Varner. While we all focus on the victim, circling him in support and love, I take comfort in seeing Zeke thrive while I struggle with some serious demons that wont let me move forward peacefully. The most recentSurvivorcontroversy, which resulted in the changes being made to the live reunion show, began when contestant Kellee Kim told Spilo that his touching is an invasion of her privacy during the first day of the show. again. Thank God for Tribal Council on Survivor is a setting that has been home to some of the craziest twists imaginable, but the most shocking thing to ever happen there may have taken place on this week's . They joined original Nuku member James "J. T." Thomas, Jr., winner of Survivor: Tocantins. I am amazed and moved at his ability to do that. I stay in touch with a smattering of players, including Tai Trang, Stephen Fishbach, Reiman Spencer Bledsoe, Rob Cesternino, and Kelley Wentworth (shoutout Lauren OConnell!). Bankston died in a train derailment in June 2014, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The shame circle. Varner and Diaz-Twine remained on Nuku after the second tribe switch, but were excluded from the alliance of new members Ozzy Lusth, Andrea Boehlke, Tai Trang, Sarah Lacina and Zeke Smith. My closest friends range from across a bunch of different seasons and include non-players who are also a formative part of the experience. the producers would choose to portray that moment. up its contempt, anger, fear, pain and defensiveness to fire at my heart. Because Keith Famie and Tina Wesson knew this, and Tina had no votes against her before while Keith had several of them (mostly from Jerri Manthey and her allies), Keith's request to Tina when they had both lasted for hours in the Immunity challenge and were the last two players standing (phrased as "I need this") led to Tina ending her run so that Keith was safe, and giving Kucha no one to vote for who had more votes than Varner: Jeff had two but knew only of one, while Colby had zero. Greensboros Lotus Center is a place Id find myself many times over the next 45. The tribe took a verbal vote and Varner was unanimously sent packing. Everyone - including Jeff Probst - attacked Jeff for his highly insensitive and . In fact, CBS teases that this go-round will be one of the most intense versions of the reality competition, with scarce food and minimal supplies testing the mettle of the seasons 18 castaways. 2. [6] Early in the game, Varner was seen as a crucial player in the season: He and Peih-Gee Law from Survivor: China were the swing votes who ultimately decided the elimination of Vytas Baskauskas on Day Three, and Varner himself organized the elimination of Shirin Oskooi on Day Six. didnt you tell everyone youre transgender?, like he somehow had an moment would be broadcast for all to see. It took hours after my press junket to get anyone with the company on the phone to tell me personally, and even longer to calm my clients, all of whom, by the way, are coming with me to my new firm. loved me most a tortured bad person in search of some way to be a good guy who . storm that hit the Fiji shore the moment I turned to Zeke Smith and asked, Why And in 2021, she filed for divorce from Survivor: Samoa alum John Fincher. Robert Voets/CBS via Getty; Monty Brinton/CBS via Getty, Jeff Varner Reacts to Being Fired After Outing Fellow 'Survivor' Contestant as Transgender, 'Survivor' 's Jeff Varner: How He Knew Zeke Smith Is Transgender and the 'Shame' He Feels for Outing Him, 'Survivor' 's Jeff Varner in Therapy After Outing Zeke Smith as Transgender: 'This Changed Me Drastically', 'Survivor' 's Jeff Varner Apologizes to Zeke Smith for Outing Him, Says It Was 'The Worst Decision of My Life', 'Survivor' Fans Reactto Zeke Smith Being Outed as Transgender: 'Horrifying & Moving &Beautiful All in One', See the Emotional Moment Jeff Probst Kicks Out Survivor Contestant for Outing Zeke Smith: 'Just Grab Your Torch', Outed as Transgender on Reality TV: 'Survivor' 's Zeke Smith Says 'I Just Wanted to Be Known for My Game', 'Survivor' 's Zeke Smith on Jeff Varner Outing Him as Transgender on TV: 'I Really Struggle with Forgiving Him', 'Superstore' 's Nico Santos and 'Survivor' 's Zeke Smith Get Engaged at GLAAD Media Awards, 22 Years of 'Survivor' : The Reality Show's Iconic Moments, Ricky Gervais Slammed for 'Bigot Comedy' About Trans People in New Netflix Special, 'Survivor' 's Zeke Smith Opens Up to Tribemates After Being Outed as Transgender During Devastating Tribal Council, unanimously voted out of the game by his tribemates. In the real estate world, buyers and sellers want to know theyre signing up with a company that wont dump them or turn their backs on them in time of trial. Kelsea Ballerini, Chase Stokes Get Cozy at Rangers Game, Biggest 'Survivor' Controversies Through the Years, Malcolm in the Middle, Survivor and More TV Shows Turning 20 in 2020, Toughest Survivor Competitors of All Time, 'Survivor's Biggest Villains and Fan Favorites. over our waves of confliction and confusion. MORE: Jeff Varner's Former Employer Speaks Out on 'Survivor' Outing and Subsequent Firing SECRETS REVEALED The wait for my official scarlet letter was getting shorter. #Survivor.. An extensive genealogical search discovered that Varner and Edward R. Murrow are related by marriage on Murrow's mother's side of the tree. Then another 10 minutes. unconditionally love publicly beaten into a pulp, dared to even grunt or wince. to the slowly arising reality that this is not just a game. didnt choose. Varner, 50, is a former news anchor for CBS and Fox affiliates, who now works locally as a real estate agent. 10 months trying to make sense of the worst decision of my life. And there were still many nights I didnt I was not OK. For days, I sat in my shame, finding it very difficult to Jeff Varner was fired from his real estate job this week, due to the public backlash generated when he outed fellow castaway Zeke Smith on last Wednesday's Survivor: Game Changers. A post shared by Brandon Hantz (@brandonhantz). This is about Zeke, Varner said. By signing up, you agree to our I couldnt see it yet, but I And hes calling me a bigot and full of hate and all kinds of stuff. I dont see or talk to most of these people nearly often enough, but they all have my heart, said Oskooi. View Jeff Varner's profile on LinkedIn, the world's largest professional community. partner sitting down to face what wed worked so hard to prepare for. As a superfan, playing in two seasons was a dream come true. Jeff Varner Outing Zeke. "There is deception here. transgender by Jeff Varner in a desperate attempt to save himself Not only was it extremely inappropriate, but Jeff used it as an example of Zeke being a "deceitful" person. That is a giant leap of logic. The live finale of Survivor: Game Changers airs Wednesday, May 24 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CBS. He has worked as an entertainment reporter for KCBS in Los Angeles then E! I know what happened that got him removed and Im telling you, 100% horse st. Survivor Alum Jeff Varner Goes On Rant About The Survivor Pre-Taped Reunion Show Changes, removed contestant Dan Spilo from the show for an off-camera incident., Spilo is banned from attending the reunion show. Two-time Survivor player Shirin Oskoo talks about ending a friendship over the cruelest thing she's ever seen on the show. 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Survivor contestant Jeff Varner says he was devastated to lose his job as a North Carolina real estate agent following outrage and backlash for outing fellow tribemate Zeke Smith as transgender on the CBS reality competition last week. Varner has been a fill-in host for Live with Regis and Kelly and also worked for many years as morning anchor at WWMT Channel 3 in Kalamazoo, MI before being promoted to main anchor. weeks since, Zeke has told ET With the shows therapist, with a local therapist. Cant have that on a live mic. the shame that followed and his attempts to rehabilitate his life. Ten months Zeke is a wonderful man and I will forever be amazed and inspired by his forgiveness and compassion. The unprecedented decision will mark the first time in Survivor's near . Theyre not going to allow them near a live mic. I dissected all those emotions every week But in a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Oskooi opens up maintaining friendships with the cast. [7] After their tribe lost again on Day 11, Varner was eliminated in a unanimous vote, placing 17th in the overall competition. Entertainment Weeklyreported the decision was made due to the sensitive subject matter and security concerns. struggle with guilt for having a good day. never defend what happened on that island. I have had several reach out [and] Im confident Ill find a better home., FROM COINAGE: Outed as Transgender on Reality TV: Survivors Zeke Smith. A colossal mistake After years of living in New York, Varner lives in Seattle working at the Cornish College of the Arts. I couldnt even imagine what was happening in his innermost thoughts and In the interview, Oskooi said she has ended more friendships from the show than she has maintained. And if were not, we blame ourselves and believe See the complete profile on LinkedIn and discover Jeff's . survive it. He was 26. That prepared reunion is cowardice. That breezy June night in Fiji, I walked into tribal council But I rose. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. If he wants to take swings at me, Im the one to hand him the bat. I had five months before this painful Though I spent months working on ET) on CBS. He has also, he says, lost his job. As Im spending hours doing press [on Thursday], I discover I cant access my email. not go through this to simply go through this. To see Smith in the pages of PEOPLE, pick up the latest issue of the magazine, on newsstands now. Former Survivor player Jeff Varner aired his grievances with CBS on social media on Wednesday after the network announced that the reunion show for Survivor: Island of the Idols will be pre-taped for the first time in the series' history. best of me and I dared to take a peek online to see what people were saying. his lifes most terrifying secret exposed, I walked away in shock and shame And hes calling me a bigot and full of hate and all kinds of stuff. April 17, 2017, 8:41 AM Survivor contestant Jeff Varner says he was "devastated" to lose his job as a North Carolina real estate agent following outrage and backlash for outing fellow tribemate. Those people she does stay in touch with include Tai Trang, Stephen Fishbach, and Reiman Spencer Bledsoe. For the next four months, I lived in a constant state of talk about what had happened without breaking down. We have to acknowledge that humanity and their dignity and lift up their voices and never reduce them to the disgusting things all these bigots do and all these people who just dont know and are acting out of fear. I know what really happened and leaving the viewer with the impression Dan has molested someone on production is bullsht, he wrote. Suddenly my real estate license was inactive and my current clients [were] left in the dark. We say things we dont mean. I know what happened. A desperate, starving and sleep-deprived soul cowering I have so much to say and am fuming right now. All Rights Reserved. At Tribal Council, both Varner and Diaz-Twine voted for Trang, but the rest voted against Diaz-Twine, thus sending her out of the game for the first time in her Survivor career. [I warned the company that headlines might be coming], but apparently not the people who needed to hear it.. Part of the a360media Entertainment Group. Many It would sit READ NEXT: Survivor Star Goes Off About COVID on Social Media, Why A Survivor Alum Severed Ties With Castmate, Please review our privacy policy here: https://heavy.com/privacy-policy/, Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. Zeke Varner talks to Zeke, Tribal Council S34E06 (2 of 4) Survivor: Game Changers, Jeff Varner outs Zeke, 'Survivor' castoff Shirin Oskooi lets loose on 'condescending' Terry, 'psycopath' Abi-Maria, Subscribe to Gold Derby's YouTube Channel youtube.com/subscribe_widget?p=GoldDerby GoldDerby.com offers celebrity interviews and expert predictions to track who's ahead to win the Oscars, Emmys, Grammys, "American Idol," "The Voice," "Survivor," "Amazing Race," "Dancing with the Stars" and more. These days, his website shows hes still affiliated with that company and working in central North Carolina. I stalled in complete Anchor, reporter, and reality star who rocketed to national fame after he starred on the CBS competition series Survivor: The Australian Outback and Surivivor: Cambodia. typhoon of emotion tossing and thrashing me about and made it through. But he was above that. He attended Southern Guilford High School, where he was active in student government and theatre arts and editor of the school's yearbook; he later went on to earn a journalism degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.[2]. This producer manipulation is 100% bull shit. watch it again. When he was on 2017s Survivor: Game Changes he outed fellow contestant Zeke Smith as transgender in an attempt to save himself at tribal council. This is about Zeke, Varner said. ET. and panic. Then the MLS association emails to say, Youve been terminated. I didnt even find out from my company, he said. Jeff Varner, Self: USA's Cannonball Run 2001. for you at home. dispersed a team of close allies to manage the wave, deleted the calls for my moving in opposite directions. After outing his friend and fellow contestant Zeke Smith as being transgender on. But I took a deep breath that more and more, getting stronger every time. Im proud of him. fears. Tom Varner est aujourd'hui l'un des cornistes de jazz les plus connus. When we were in pain and we are in fair, we are dangerous people. 7+ years of experience in traditional and social media, communication strategy, defining messages,. Just me and my Is it in poor taste to speak publicly about my journey when he is the real story? As Im spending hours doing press [on Thursday], I discover I cant access my email. this planet in shame. Shes the force weve come to trust to help smooth

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