He continually forgives me. MORE: Zeke Smith Says Jeff Varner Should Be 'Embraced' After Outing Him on 'Survivor'. Brandons notorious uncle, who appeared in three American Survivor seasons and one in Australia, now hosts The Russell Hantz Show on YouTube. However, this backfired as it became evident that Smith had never revealed his being transgender publicly. That is a giant leap of logic. And you can stop reading here if you dont care to hear it. By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and that you have read our Privacy Policy. This season of Survivor, dubbed Game Changers for its 34th installment, had been filmed 10 months ago in the Mamanuca Islands of Fiji - though Varner couldnt discuss what happened until the episodes airing. Since then, Ive accepted genuine, heartfelt apologies from fellow castaways, but Ive continued to feel disappointed by how this pattern of behavior was allowed to occur for so long., Probst, however, told EW that he could not speak about the player removal or disclose any additional details out of respect for privacy and confidentiality. He did reveal that Dan was not happy about the decision but before he left he calmed down and was actually very respectful.. soon I would stop abusing myself and start to forgive. I just wanted to be known for my game., FROM COINAGE: Ask Yourself These Questions Before You Buy A Home. Everyone was sort of interested in what Varner had to say right up until he made it extremely personal and outed Smith without Smiths permission. He is known for USA's Cannonball Run 2001 (2001), Survivor (2000) and Hollywood Squares (1998). 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 tweeted on Wednesday. The truth will get out. More from Entertainment Tonight: http://bit.ly/1xTQtvw Varner outed Smith as transgender on Wednesday night's episode of 'Survivor: Game Changers,' which fi. respect Zeke Smith, hoping that hes OK and about to start thriving like never No one is going to beat me up worse than I have myself.. One of the things that breaks my heart the most is that thats one of the stigmas that trans people fight the most, Varner said. Its so painful to see what is happening with this show. I made Smith explained that he "was checked out for about 45 minutes to an hour" after Jeff outed him. self-esteem. With 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. 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. real journey had just begun. wondering if they were even worthy of one. People think trans people are out there deceiving and theyre predators and theyre hiding in bathrooms and stuff thats just not true. There were no poles, there was no peanut butter, and there was no time to waste. ET) on CBS. I own responsibility in what is the worst decision of my life., Let me be clear, outing someone is assault, Varner said. That reasoning is infinitely worse than him outing me because its the same one used to discriminate against, attack and murder trans people. 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. You know your story in the owned it from the start. An extensive genealogical search discovered that Varner and Edward R. Murrow are related by marriage on Murrow's mother's side of the tree. Smith, who is still in the game, told PEOPLE he was shell-shocked by Varners decision and struggles with forgiving him. sat in silence, my breathing shallow, staring intently at the screen and seeing 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. 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. to embrace his former cast mate because that's how we encourage game. In this and other calls wed have over the Not only was it extremely inappropriate, but Jeff used it as an example of Zeke being a "deceitful" person. Jeff Varner (born April 16, 1966) is famous for being reality star. One of the closest friends I made from [Cambodia Second Chance] went on to do one of the cruelest things ever done to another contestant in the shows now multi-decade history, she said. ET) on CBS. Survivor is back in production as of April 2021 and should premiere season 41 in September 2021. They love Dan. What just happened on Survivor tonight is 100% bull shit. As Zeke went back into a game with View Jake Varner's profile on LinkedIn, the world's largest professional community. Many It was just a year ago when he returned after a 15-year absence to play. after the episode was filmed, Jeff told Entertainment Tonight that the moment was After another Twitter user told Jeff he shouldnt get to weigh in on this scandal, the former contestant went off once again. Part of the a360media Entertainment Group. Interview after interview, I poured my heart out in Survivor player Jeff Varner was fired from his job as a real estate agent at Allen Tate Realtors on Thursday due to backlash from an episode of the CBS show in which he outed fellow player Zeke. I think he hoped others would believe that trans people are dangerous and fraudulent, he said. Theyre not going to allow them near a live mic. I think he hoped others would believe that trans people are dangerous and fraudulent, he said. I heard their voices screaming at me. months digging out of depression and working to understand the forgiveness I My cast was against me. So Im talking to several firms now that I know will care about and believe in their employees. Jeff Varner: "I'm Profoundly Sorry" - Survivor 34 Exit Interview And in 2021, she filed for divorce from Survivor: Samoa alum John Fincher. He sounded 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 was standing before the people who have the right to be forgiven. Should I sit down, shut up and suffer in silence? I They are pre-taping the reunion because cast members plan to publicly support Dan and call out producers. It would be massive. This season of Survivor, dubbed Game Changers for its 34 outing, had been filmed 10 months ago in the Mamanuca Islands of Fiji though Varner couldnt discuss what happened until the episodes airing. All Rights Reserved. It appears, from social media postings, that Varner had just began working for the company having only posted his first acting listing with the company on April 7. For now., The former contestant, who competed on three seasons of the show, took to Twitter to vent more about the situation. And I love and The death of the Varner everyone loved and enjoyed was days away, I know that watching this last night was traumatic not only for me and my family I can only imagine what this was like for him and his friends and everybody who loves him., I hurt him, Varner continued. Jeff has 5 jobs listed on their profile. I know what happened that got him removed and Im telling you, 100% horse st. I know what really happened and leaving the viewer with the impression Dan has molested someone on production is bullsht, he wrote on social media. best of me and I dared to take a peek online to see what people were saying. 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. Seeds cant take hold and grow without the rain. never defend what happened on that island. Brandon's notorious uncle, who appeared in three American Survivor seasons and one in Australia, now hosts The Russell Hantz Show on YouTube. 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. talk about what had happened without breaking down. I I forgive him for that. Powered by. After outing his friend and fellow contestant Zeke Smith as being transgender on. to the slowly arising reality that this is not just a game. The fear and pain was too much to bear. I wasnt even given the chance to explain or right the wrong, Varner said. In one recent 13-minute video, he criticized the new woke Survivor, calling out host Jeff Probst for no long referring to groups of Survivor contestants as guys., They opened a can of worms, he said. I have never been more vulnerable than I was in those moments. I caused this whole situation. Jeff Varner - Wikipedia 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. Week after week I watched, looking for any clue as to how what they all must be going through. Its so painful to see what is happening with this show. "[8] Varner said he thought that Smith had been open about his identity with everyone back home, but was trying to conceal it to his tribemates in the game. I am not a bigot. more and more, getting stronger every time. No pre-taped reunion will hide it. felt obligated to torture myself. Fingers pointing at me. doubt, fear, anxiety and preoccupation with Zeke, his friends and family and 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. Im the perfect person to weigh in. moment. For about an hour during that tribal I deserve every bit of it. , Varner said he will never get over what he did. Varner also admitted to the newspaper that outing Smith was wrong and a horrible thing to do, but he objected to the editing of his Survivor moment of infamy. It would sit The message should be clear that hate will always lose.. 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]. Jeff Varner: "I think it was an amazing reaction because we as a society in the United States we treat many trans people . Since then, Ive accepted genuine, heartfelt apologies from fellow castaways, but Ive continued to feel disappointed by how this pattern of behavior was allowed to occur for so long.. 'Survivor's' Jeff Varner looking for work after outing | CNN With the shows therapist, with a local therapist. ET) on CBS. The secret to shedding your shame is to 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. If we let it, our pain will I am amazed and moved at his ability to do that. Bankston died in a train derailment in June 2014, according to The Hollywood Reporter. When Kim learned about his removal from the show, she shared a statement on Twitter. of life. genre. 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. not go through this to simply go through this. For this entire situation to ultimately make sense, reach out and touch it every day as I worked to chip away at that shadow deep I deserve it. But he was above that. He recently left Tyler Redhead & McAlister Real Estate for Allen Tate Realtors. For access to all our exclusive celebrity videos and interviews Subscribe on YouTube! ET. Just grab your torch.. varner in French - varner French translation - varner meaning in French our shame, so no one sees its there. I can only profusely apologize. She also has friends from outside her seasons. Varner, along with Sandra Diaz-Twine, Malcolm Freberg, Aubry Bracco, and Michaela Bradshaw were then switched to Nuku. did I do that?, I deserve to be shot and other shards of self-abuse thrashed Everyone was horrified at what he did Andrea Boehlke started crying, Tai Trang and Debbie Wanner started yelling at Varner, and even Jeff Probst was visibly upset at what had happened. me, I will never lose sight of the fact this situation will always be about what that I had opened a mans life to discrimination and danger, something I never So Im talking to several firms now that I know will care about and believe in their employees. A post shared by Boston Rob Mariano (@bostonrobmariano). Threats of boycotts. most hope was tweeting about me in not-so-kind terms. They love Dan. You may already know the rest of my roller coaster ride. Greensboro's Jeff Varner faces backlash after outing fellow 'Survivor Jeff Varner blasts 'Survivor,' claims producers taping finale to edit Jeff Varner, Self: USA's Cannonball Run 2001. On February 8, 2017, it was revealed that Varner was one of 20 contestants who would be competing on Survivor: Game Changers, the show's 34th season. I know what happened that got him removed and Im telling you, 100% horse st. More recently, she started a soup company, got a job as a private chef, and started hosting a podcast called Hit the Ground Running With Jerri Manthey. However, he revealed at the reunion that he got hired at a new real estate agency. He was 26. going to watch me do it. that changed everything. Im the perfect person to weigh in. 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. Survivor: Jeff Varner on outing Zeke | EW.com was still unwilling to give myself. I will never make an excuse for it. I know that he has a lot of people in his ear. for you at home. Survivor alum Jeff Varner aired his grievances with CBS on social media on Wednesday, December 11, following the networks announcement that the reunion for Survivor: Island of the Idols will be pretaped for the first time in the shows history. I had no idea how he My closest friends range from across a bunch of different seasons and include non-players who are also a formative part of the experience. With the pressure on, which castaways will prove cutthroat and join the ranks of the infamous players below? about to give birth to a new coat of ugly Id wear forever. He was initially placed on the Mana tribe. 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. All of the other tribemates disregarded their alliances for the evening to admonish Varner and support Smith. 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.. Despite apologizing on air and realizing his error, Varner was unanimously eliminated without a formal vote and was condemned after the episode aired for outing Smith and was fired from his job as a real estate agent as a result of the controversy. Rant over. 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. Much has been made the last few weeks over one of the most controversial moments in television history. After four months and a ton of work, I knew my producers would choose to get me there. [9] During his exit interview, he stated that no one on Survivor should do what he did. I cant start a new chapter by rereading What transpired next is a blur. But healing was upon me and I was feeling more and more ready as 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. 'Survivor' Returns: Where Are These 9 Former Villains Now? - TV Insider [7] After their tribe lost again on Day 11, Varner was eliminated in a unanimous vote, placing 17th in the overall competition. The This season of Survivor, dubbed Game Changers for its 34th installment, had been filmed 10 months ago in the Mamanuca Islands of Fiji though Varner couldnt discuss what happened until the episodes airing. MORE: Jeff Varner Tearfully Admits to Being in Therapy Since Outing Zeke Smith on 'Survivor'. 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!). 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 . Smith, who is still in the game, told PEOPLE he was shell-shocked by Varners decision and struggles with forgiving him. that not only had I ruined someones life, but in a few months the world was Zeke Smith Reflects On How Jeff Probst & 'Survivor' Handled His typhoon of emotion tossing and thrashing me about and made it through. Ive spoken to these people. When you know what really goes on then you can tell me your opinion., The former reality star replied to another Twitter users response echoing his right to weigh in on Wednesdays announcement. This video is unavailable because we were unable to load a message from our sponsors. But nothing gave me more hope dispersed a team of close allies to manage the wave, deleted the calls for my I have so much to say and am fuming right now. We do not want to see political talk in the shows that we watch on our free time., A post shared by Jerri Manthey (@jerrimanthey). After all, I deserved it. Jeff Varner's Survivor Adventure Is Over, But His Midlife Quest Has Free shipping for many products! Jeff Varner I found it incredibly difficult to admit out loud I was I dont Then the MLS association emails to say, Youve been terminated. I didnt even find out from my company, he said. storm that hit the Fiji shore the moment I turned to Zeke Smith and asked, Why was ill-prepared for that conversation, but drawn to it as if a force greater Jeff Varner Reacts to Being Fired After Outing Fellow Survivor - Yahoo! pure and genuine regret and support for Zeke. each episode passed. 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. This producer manipulation is 100% bull st. . me. had come to learn our society, blindly trudging through its shame, would rise Most Memorable Moment: Stepping down from Immunity Challenge for peanut butter. 2023 System1 OpCo, LLC. Those people she does stay in touch with include Tai Trang, Stephen Fishbach, and Reiman Spencer Bledsoe. I deserve every bit of it. it was over I felt that suit of shame Id worn for more than four months begin Boston Rob, a five-time Survivor contestant and the winner of Redemption Island, is now focusing on home renovation projectslike the one seen in Secret Home Renovationand spending time with his family. I was wrong and make no excuses for it. nothing. Varner is now looking to get picked up by another real estate agency. This is about Zeke, Varner said. He and Oskooi became friends on the Ta Keo tribe during Cambodia Second Chance, but when Varner returned for Survivor: Game Changers, he was unanimously voted out of the show after outing Zeke Smith as transgender. With the shows therapist, with a local therapist. That full screen disclaimer is a crock, he tweeted at the user. Ive talked to cast members. 10 Most Notorious Survivor Villains: Where Are They Now? - ScreenRant anticipated. 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. I offer grace and willingness to engage with anyone who wants to work toward something, to lift away. But had the. around inside my tortured head. #Survivor.. What did I just do?, Why with Dr. Whitney, digging through shame, amassing a small library of books and So pissed. Varner eventually recognized that what he did was wrong, but it didnt really matter at that point. Cowards., Jeff is no stranger to Survivor controversy. Join now to see all activity Experience . Jeff has consistently maintained an attitude of grace and his sense or humor, while creatively identifying how to ensure thorough test coverage on aggressive schedules. forgive me like he did that night when Im struggling so hard to forgive Cowards., The former reality TV star is no stranger toSurvivordrama. people to change and turn adversaries into allies. Ahead of the live finale, After years of living in New York, Varner lives in Seattle working at the Cornish College of the Arts. GREENSBORO Jeff Varner intentionally stayed away from social media on Thursday, a day after he outed a fellow "Survivor" castmate as transgender before millions of viewers. We dont need to vote, host Jeff Probst said during the April 2017 episode. He went on to describe Zeke as deceptive and then turned to him in front of the council and asked, Why havent you told anyone here youre transgender?, His tactic backfired and led to his removal immediately. Tears in eyes. Everyone - including Jeff Probst - attacked Jeff for his highly insensitive and . MORE: Inside Jeff Varner's Decision to Out Zeke Smith at Tribal Council and What Viewers Didn't See on TV. People who make mistakes I have been through, I dont know how much therapy. That reasoning is infinitely worse than him outing me because its the same one used to discriminate against, attack and murder trans people. Stephanie Petit is a Royals Writer and Reporter at PEOPLE. and panic. Back at home, I wasted no time. I recklessly revealed something I mistakenly believed everyone already knew. I forgive him for that. April 12, castaway Zeke Smith wasoutedas "What just happened on Survivor tonight is 100% bull st. It keeps us stuck. Im not afraid to share my truth.