He said lots of things and did different things, and I had inklings, and I suspected it very early on for various reasons. As Im spending hours doing press [on Thursday], I discover I cant access my email. But because Tribal was edited down so small, you don't see that. When Ta Keo lost the first Immunity Challenge on Day 3, Jeff and Peih-Gee voted with the new schoolers to send Vytas Baskauskas home. When we do that, we stigmatize them. On Day 7, a Tribe Switch occurred that split the tribes from two to three. ET) on CBS. 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. 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. Jeff is the only contestant to be eliminated pre-jury on their first two seasons, and return for a third season. Varner, along with Diaz-Twine and Bradshaw, blindsided Thomas at the fifth Tribal Council. On July 27, 2009 Jeff was selected as one of the top 20 broadcasters nationwide to serve as finalist for co-host for a day on. The truth will get out. Season 41 caused a lot of controversy among longtime viewers who criticized the new changes made to the game. What this has done is unleash a conversation that will hopefully be good for all of us and lead us in a great direction. (Robert Voets/CBS via Getty. That full screen disclaimer is a crock, the real estate agent tweeted back. I'm not that horrible person so many are trying to paint me to be today. Survivor player Jeff Varner lost a lot more than the show's $1 million dollar prize when he made the decision to out fellow tribemate Zeke Smith as transgender in an attempt to paint him as. You don't see the conversation I had with Ozzy where he told me he was in an alliance with Zeke and Andrea. Jeff Varner Biography, Age, Height, Wife, Net Worth, Family The Survivor: Island of the Idols finale and reunion airs on CBS Wednesday, December 18, from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. I didn't know who Zeke was. CBS andSurvivorwere on notice of Dans behavior from the very first days of the game. Jeff Probst spoke to Us Weekly in January 2020 about Richards absence. Despite having a numerical advantage after a Tribe Switch tribe, he was outmaneuvered by Andrew Savage and Tasha Fox, due to the infighting within his original Ta Keo contingent, as well as the physical toll the game had taken on him, and was voted out on Day 11. And, asSurvivorfans know, shortly after I spoke up on camera, I was voted off the show, Kim added. Ive spoken to these people. Now, he's dealing with professional repercussions.. Part of the a360media Entertainment Group. How have you changed since the last time you played? So pissed. READ NEXT: Survivor Star Goes Off About COVID on Social Media, Why A Survivor Alum Severed Ties With Castmate, Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. As much as I was dreading my emotional breakdown I melted down for an hour, and all of that was edited out. Cowards., The former reality TV star is no stranger toSurvivordrama. ", He used that background to transition into web development, working in developing web properties for Citibank, MCI, Harlequin Romance, and Martha Stewart Living Online. That reasoning is infinitely worse than him outing me because its the same one used to discriminate against, attack and murder trans people. Survivor fans have been in uproar since watching Jeff Varner out Zeke Smith as transgender on Wednesday night's episode and if you missed the shocking moment, you can watch the entire. Thomas. I know that forgiveness is difficult. 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.[3]. Being chosen by America, by far! And I was wrong. It was an awful thing to do. When we were in pain and we are in fair, we are dangerous people. Varner reached towards Smith for an emotional hug before picking up his torch and walking over to Probst. That prepared reunion is cowardice. But today's not the day for that. 100% horse st! 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. 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.. He was part of the first team in the corporate world to utilize the internet to communicate project information as a manager in Citicorp's "Product Design and Development Division. However, his loyalty to the group did not last as he saw how hard Shirin Oskooi and Spencer Bledsoe were playing, so he worked on turning the tribe against them. Survivor: The Australian Outback I give him every bit of space to fire off and act toward me however he must. An aggressive athlete, he first put on a pair of skates when he was two years old and has since played competitive hockey (right defense) for 16 years, though he admits he spent most of the time in the penalty box. Many viewers felt the recent changes made the game too complicated and confusing. This interview just has to be about Zeke. It came in the midst of an already tense Tribal Council, with Varner insisting that he was tryingto expose Zeke's ability to "deceive" the other players,not out somebody on national television. Zeke Smith and Jeff Varner Reunite at 'Survivor' Reunion Show -- See During that time, he said hes done a lot of growing. While pursuing his degree with UNC, he was Captain of the National Champion Tar Heel Cheer Team (198990). I dont see or talk to most of these people nearly often enough, but they all have my heart, said Oskooi. d.getElementsByTagName('body')[0].appendChild(js); 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. An extensive genealogical search discovered that Varner and Edward R. Murrow are related by marriage on Murrow's mother's side of the tree. I kept going back to Samoa and Heroes vs Villains. I know what happened that got him removed and Im telling you, 100% horse st. This producer manipulation is 100% bull st. He is an avid rollerblader, spending many afternoons skating through Manhattan's busy streets. Read Zeke'spersonal account of his story by clicking here. I offer my deepest, most heart-felt apologies to Zeke Smith, his friends and life allies, his family and to all those who my mistake hurt and offended, he wrote. The Survivor host has stood up for LGBTQIA+ contestants in the past. 'Survivor' Contestant Zeke Smith Outed as Transgender by Fellow Castaway Jeff Varner This video is unavailable because we were unable to load a message from our sponsors. Im ready to go, said Varner tearfully. I have met with and spoken to several LGBT organizations Ive joined the board of a couple of them this has changed me drastically.. But in a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Oskooi opens up maintaining friendships with the cast. About to climb the walls, Jeff, 53, wrote on Facebook after the shows Wednesday episode aired. The tribe took a verbal vote and Varner was unanimously sent packing. Ive spoken to people on this cast. But if my competition doesn't, their loss. He was a member of the Kucha tribe, . Ricard Foye, the Washington based flight-attendant, stepped forward and expressed his discomfort, and therefore the phrase was changed to come on in.. Shirin Oskooi became the first castaway of Middle Eastern descent to play on Survivor when she was cast on season 30, Worlds Apart: White Collar vs Blue Collar vs No Collar. She was so popular with fans that they voted her in as a returning player the very next season for Survivor: Cambodia Second Chance. He, along with Sandra Diaz-Twine, Malcolm Freberg, Aubry Bracco, and Michaela Bradshaw, were switched to Nuku after the first tribe switch. Jeff found himself on the new Angkor tribe with Abi-Maria, Peih-Gee, and Woo Hwang, which held the majority over original Bayon members Andrew Savage and Tasha Fox. By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and that you have read our Privacy Policy. That is a giant leap of logic. 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. RELATED VIDEO: PENs Survivor Fan Forum Reacts to Zeke Being Outed as Transgender. Varner: (Long pause.) Jeff Varner is a former American real estate agent and television personality who has worked as a news anchor and reporter, an entertainment reporter, and a contestant on three seasons of the CBS reality television series Survivor: The Australian Outback, Survivor: Cambodia, and Survivor: Game Changers. And I think stupid bathroom bills and things like that, especially in the state of North Carolina it's not about bathrooms. Knowing that he was on the chopping block, Varner started by pointing out that a secret alliance was forming between two contestants: Smith and Ozzy Lusth. I'm honored to be part of this cast and aware this could be the last time I'm ever on a Survivor island, so I want to soak up the surroundings, beauty, and energy of being part of this landmark series. He likes all kinds of music, especially that which motivates. Despite this, the attention shifted to the continued infighting between Abi-Maria and Peih-Gee, handing the power to Andrew and Tasha. Rant over. He chose to side with the latter duo to avenge Malcolm, hence blindsiding J.T.. Jeff and Sandra remained on Nuku after the second tribe switch, but were joined by original Nuku members Sarah Lacina, Andrea Boehlke,Zeke Smith, Ozzy Lusth, and Tai Trang, leaving Jeff and Sandra on the bottom. In the game, no matter where I was, talking strategy with everybody, Zeke was always popping up. What just happened on Survivor tonight is 100% bull shit. Im not knocking him., It has nothing to do with the game! cried Boehlke. - Age Jeff Probst considered a Survivor idea where players won a celebrity as It was revealed that Jeff was fired from his job as a real estate agent after the episode where he outed Zeke aired because of all the controversy. Our leaders are trying to erase trans people from society. Thats so dirty, Jeff., Im not using that as anything negative! insisted Varner. He told hosts Sean Ross and Evan Ross Katz that Jeff is ruining the game. He is now working for WWMT in Kalamazoo, Michigan as a News Anchor for the News Channel 3 morning news.Jeff was promoted November 27, 2008 to WWMT evening anchor. Probst didnt even have them go off and vote in secret. I plan to try and control my emotions more. He is often referred to as the shows first villain. 'Survivor's' Jeff Varner fired after outing trans contestant - USA Today I plan to align myself with the big threats. They are pre-taping the reunion because cast members plan to publicly support Dan and call out producers. Survivor. Twitter. It's what's happening / Twitter I'm not angry at that. So Im talking to several firms now that I know will care about and believe in their employees. Richard isnt the only Survivor alum who feels this way. Theyre not going to allow them near a live mic. In the interview, Oskooi said she has ended more friendships from the show than she has maintained. Jeff Varner Calls Out CBS for Pretaped 'Survivor' Reunion - Us Weekly The news comes after the show removed contestant Dan Spilo from the series for an off-camera incident., Ive talked to cast members. According to Us Weekly, Richard was sentenced to 51 months in federal prison for failing to pay taxes in 2006. With the entire cast still reeling with emotion, Probst moved onto the next step. At Tribal Council, Jeff sided with Abi-Maria, Andrew, and Tasha in sending Peih-Gee home. There's so much you don't see. This time, it's all business. That prepared reunion is cowardice. Although Jeff was an old school player, he wanted to prove he could succeed in new school Survivor. His respect, love and concern for children motivates him to volunteer for organizations and charities that support kids with need. We LGB spent decades proving we weren't trying to convert children. In the latest episode of Survivor: Game Changers, Jeff Varner outed fellow castaway Zeke Smith as transgender. Varner, along with Sandra Diaz-Twine, Malcolm Freberg, Aubry Bracco, and Michaela Bradshaw were then switched to Nuku. Just grab your torch.. T. Thomas, Jr., the Survivor: Tocantins winner. 'Survivor' Winner Nick Wilson Now a State Lawmaker Addresses Backlash for Controversial 'Anti-Trans' Bill, Gwendlyn Brown Says Trans Sibling Leon Has Been 'Separating' from 'Sister Wives' Family to Feel 'Safer', Chris Rock Skewers Will and Jada Pinkett Smith Entanglement Drama: 'She Hurt Him Way More Than He Hurt Me', RuPaul Condemns GOP 'Stunt Queens' Imposing Drag Bans: 'Bullies Are Incompetent at Solving Real Issues', 'Harry Potter' Actress Evanna Lynch Weighs in on J.K. 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TheSurvivor: Island of the Idolsfinale and reunion will air on CBS on Wednesday, December 18, from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. He is most proud of successfully making the transition from small town living to the much faster pace of a big city. Entertainment Weeklyreported the decision was made due to the sensitive subject matter and security concerns. [6] It was revealed that Varner had been part of a pre-game alliance prior to the start of filming, with three other players: Terry Deitz and Shane Powers of Survivor: Panama, and Kelly Wiglesworth of Survivor: Borneo. "What just happened on Survivor tonight is 100% bull st.