I know what happened. Smith has opened up PEOPLE exclusively about the experience, saying he was shell-shocked by Varners decision and still struggles with forgiving him. Previously played on: No matter how good of a game you're playing, drawing the wrong buff can change everything. Emotional. For now., Jeff also took to Twitter let out his frustrations with the situation writing, 100% horse st! This is also mentioned by Varner in the episode in which he was voted off, early in the episode while the Kucha tribe is talking in their shelter at night. Days after Don . Upon learning of his removal, she shared her thoughts on Twitter. I forgive him for that. For the first time in 39 seasons, Survivors reunion will be pretaped four hours before it airs on Wednesday, December 18, Entertainment Weekly reports, due to the sensitive material of this season and security concerns. The cast is not happy. No pre-taped reunion will hide it. He has an estimated net worth of $5 Million. No pre-taped reunion will hide it. "[9] 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. Many viewers felt the recent changes made the game too complicated and confusing. Entertainment Weeklyreported the decision was made due to the sensitive subject matter and security concerns. Everything I have to talk about today must be about Zeke and his safety and his peace and all of that. What this has done is unleash a conversation that will hopefully be good for all of us and lead us in a great direction. So Im talking to several firms now that I know will care about and believe in their employees. Enjoy reading!! Sandra told me that he showed up to the airport carrying a bible. I got forgiveness and compassion from everybody. 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. Jeff Varner is an internet project manager, having most recently worked as Director of People and Process for a Manhattan start-up company. ", He used that background to transition into web development, working in developing web properties for Citibank, MCI, Harlequin Romance, and Martha Stewart Living Online. I cant believe that I did that.. 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.. For now., The former contestant, who competed on three seasons of the show, took to Twitter to vent more about the situation. I know that you're fair and honest, so I'm going to just let it out to you. After an informal public vote, Jeff Probst snuffed Jeff Varner's torch, ending the Season 2 and Season 31 veteran's third (and presumably final) stint on Survivor. They joined original Nuku member James "J. T." Thomas, Jr., winner of Survivor: Tocantins. Season 2 [1], Name: Jeff Varner I know that he has a lot of people in his ear. The next day, Jeff began making his moves against Ozzy, recruiting both Sarah and Zeke. Just grab your torch.. I deserve it. As soon as he did that, the Tribal Council came to a screeching halt. In May 2007, Jeff left FOX 8 due to what he called "angry and unprofessional management" from the station's news director. It was one hundred percent about Zeke and what I've done to him and his family. if (d.getElementById(id)) return; [7] 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. Every single person at Tribal stood up and hugged me. I want strong relationships when this is over, but already have a host of great friends. Even if I end up in the minority after a swap, I'll make sure there is someone else with me who is more of a target. Prior employment includes work as a website producer, graphic designer and marketing manager for various companies. While pursuing his degree with UNC, he was Captain of the National Champion Tar Heel Cheer Team (198990). [] What I did that night was horrible. Jeff went on to say that he didnt feel comfortable having Richard on the show, given his background. We have to stop as a society discriminating against trans people and minimizing and separating from them. Earlier employment included stints as a waiter, bartender and traveling salesperson. I was wrong and make no excuses for it. 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!). I have apologized to him weve spoken several times on the phone. 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. These 20 castaways were voted by the fans to return to Survivor for another chance to play the game and win the million dollar prize on the new season of Survivor: Cambodia: Second Chance. The day finishes with a jog, a shower, a bottle of Merlot, a ruthless game of backgammon, and great sex. 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. In the game, no matter where I was, talking strategy with everybody, Zeke was always popping up. Wigler: Did the Tribal you watched last night align with the Tribal you remember? Jeffrey Keith Varner (born April 16, 1966) [1] is a former American real estate agent and television personality, a news anchor and reporter, a former entertainment reporter, and a contestant on three seasons of the CBS reality television series, Survivor: The Australian Outback, Survivor: Cambodia, and Survivor: Game Changers. Then came the gender ideology cult, hijacking decades of progress, crafting narratives that erase us, misleading confused kids, grooming them 2 join in. The others are. There were many things at play and lots going on that brought us to that that moment. I'm just devastated over that. He was lying to me and playing me. I mean, I haven't been able to live with this for so long. Looking back on it, it just didnt seem to fit.. Jeff Varner (@JEFFVARNER) December 12, 2019. The Rhode Island natives arrogant gameplay earned him a bad reputation among Survivor fans. Deception on levels, Jeff, that these guys dont even understand theres more., Host Jeff Probst asked Varner to explain himself, at which point Varner turned to Smith in front of the entire group and demanded: Why havent you told anyone youre transgender?. Ive spoken to these people. Awful, he told Sean and Evan. Sends us all back 20 years. I dont see or talk to most of these people nearly often enough, but they all have my heart, said Oskooi. So pissed. Varner asked Smith at Tribal Council, Why havent you told anyone youre transgender? Varner stated that he believed Smith had been open about his identity with everyone back home but was trying to keep it hidden from his tribemates in the game. On Day 13, he was caught in the middle between the duo of J.T. I deserve every bit of it. I know what happened that got him removed and Im telling you, 100% horse st. Varner also mentions this in the episode where he was voted off, early in the episode while the Kucha tribe is talking in their shelter at night. Twitter: @BiographyScoop The others are. 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. 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. That full screen disclaimer is a crock, the real estate agent tweeted back. Varner obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. And, asSurvivorfans know, shortly after I spoke up on camera, I was voted off the show, Kim added. "[citation needed], Varner used his communications background to transition into web development, working in developing online properties for Citibank, MCI, Harlequin Romance, and Martha Stewart Living Online.[11]. Threats of boycotts. I realize it. I don't know who's gotten in his ear, but he's in a different place today and I respect that. Im not knocking him., It has nothing to do with the game! cried Boehlke. I love him. [2], Jeff Varner was raised on a tobacco farm in Greensboro, North Carolina. Varner and Diaz-Twine stayed on Nuku after the second tribe switch, but were left out of the alliance formed by newcomers Ozzy Lusth, Andrea Boehlke, Tai Trang, Sarah Lacina, and Zeke Smith. I am amazed and moved at his ability to do that. None of that's there. He's absolutely fantastic. It's about whether trans people have the right to exist in public. Multiple Survivor alums, including Russell Hantz and Parvati Shallow, also spoke out in opposition. Mandi is an experienced writer on various topics with a passion for telling stories with words. Now, he's dealing with professional repercussions.. After Angkor lost the next Immunity Challenge on Day 9, Jeff tried to send a message to Kelly Wiglesworth, but was caught by Tasha, who called him out in front of everyone, placing Jeff in hot water with his tribe. They hadn't seen his season. I need to get my tissues here, because it's horrible. [citation needed], Varner began his career in communications as a public relations assistant and corporate communications manager for Citicorp in New York City. Additionally, he studied martial arts, receiving a black belt in Tae Kwon Do when he was 15 years old. It's a hard thing for me to live with. He later appeared on Survivor: All-Stars, which aired in 2004. I have been through, I dont know how much therapy. #sexnotgender. There he developed and managed the technical and interpersonal aspects of a Human Resources/Operations hybrid system for a staff of 30. Zeke forgave me that night. & Aubry who targeted Michaela and Michaela & Sandra who targeted J.T.. But the bigger consideration was Where is the show now? and Do these 20 winners represent the show today? In that sense, we didnt feel that Rich fit into the equation.. His real name Jeffrey Keith Varner. I didn't know who Zeke was. Part of the a360media Entertainment Group. 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. I deserve it. 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. YouTube Im ready to go, said Varner tearfully. He has worked as an entertainment reporter for KCBS in Los Angeles then E! My conscience is in pain. 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. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Sorry. 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. Wigler: Did you ever bring any of this up with Zeke privately, before Tribal Council? I hate that I'm a tool some of them will use. I just pray and hope for his safety. T. Thomas, Jr., the Survivor: Tocantins winner. This resulted in a deadlock between Jeff and Colby Donaldson at Tribal Council, which saw Jeff eliminated when the tiebreaker took into account previous votes. At Tribal Council, a desperate Jeff outedZeke as atransgender man, and tried to insinuate that Zeke's hiding this aspect of his life showed an ability to be deceitful. That prepared reunion is cowardice. Currently, he is researching burn trauma organizations for kids with the hope of making a difference. Its Varner.. Survivor: The Australian Outback Richard Hatch. Today's a day for me to send that message: trans people are wonderful, and we should never, ever, out anybody. VisitGLAAD.org to read their transgender FAQ, tips onhow to be an ally to the transgender community, and more. He also caused trouble for Survivor producers in season 8 when he decided to run an immunity challenge in the nude and deliberately rubbed up against his fellow castaway Sue Hawk, Us Weekly reported. You don't have a hateful bone in your body." We LGB spent decades proving we weren't trying to convert children. When Kim learned about his removal from the show, she shared a statement on Twitter. We won't post to any of your accounts without asking first, In order to view the video, please allow Manage Cookies. The Survivor: Island of the Idols finale and reunion airs on CBS Wednesday, December 18, from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. A thorough genealogical investigation revealed that Varner and Edward R. Murrow are related by marriage on Murrows mothers side of the family tree. Suddenly my real estate license was inactive and my current clients [were] left in the dark. I'm going to be emotional. There he developed and managed the technical and interpersonal aspects of a Human Resources/Operations hybrid system for a staff of 30. Survivor alum Richard Hatch recently shared his opinion on Jeff Probst and Survivor 41 on the Drop Your Buffs podcast. Cant have that on a live mic. Although Jeff was an old school player, he wanted to prove he could succeed in new school Survivor. 333. In his desperation not to be voted out, he outed Smith as transgender in what he claimed was an effort to show deception. Its so painful to see what is happening with this show. I know what happened that got him removed and Im telling you, 100% horse st. Jeff Varner, a three-time Survivor contestant, said he was completely blindsided by his firing from a real estate company. 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. Website: Biographyscoop.com Zeke led the original Nuku alliance into claiming that they were against Tai in order to keep Jeff and Sandra from scrambling, allowing them to take the latter out. Richard appeared on the Drop Your Buffs podcast in February 2022, and the former castaway had some not-so-nice things to say about TV personality Jeff Probst. Smith finally spoke up, quietly admitting that in the two seasons hes played the game, hes never told anyone that he is transgender. Not directly. I own responsibility in what is the worst decision of my life.. By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and that you have read our Privacy Policy. When you know what really goes on then you can tell me your opinion. Survivor. He stated during his exit interview that no one on Survivor should do what he did. Varner: No. 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. Tonight, on CBSSurvivor, Dan Spilo was kicked off the show for, once again, inappropriate touching. All of that is edited out. I know what really happened and leaving the viewer with the impression Dan has molested someone on production is bullshit. Jeff faced a heavy blow on Night 11 when Malcolm was blindsided. It was clear to me that this guy is a player. Survivor is back in production as of April 2021 and should premiere season 41 in September 2021. There was a hidden alliance. CBS andSurvivorwere on notice of Dans behavior from the very first days of the game. That is a giant leap of logic. What are you most proud of from the last time? They had to do what they had to do and it had to be the way it had to be. As much as I was dreading my emotional breakdown I melted down for an hour, and all of that was edited out. We have to acknowledge their humanity. They joined Nuku member J.T. 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. In Game Changers, Jeff aligned with Michaela Bradshaw and Sandra Diaz-Twine early on, with the alliance taking control of the Mana and Nuku tribes. (Robert Voets/CBS via Getty. These are wonderful people who are not only trying to live their authentic lives, but thrive. Richard isnt the only Survivor alum who feels this way. They love Dan. Outing is an assault, and I assaulted Zeke that night. Thats personal you didnt have to do that! said Andrea Boehlke, starting to tear up. Powered by. 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. In April 2017, Jeff spoke to Entertainment Weekly about season 34 contestant Jeff Varner outing Zeke Smith as transgender. I get it. According to News & Record Greensboro, Varner was fired from his job the day after the episode aired in which Varner attempted to save himself from being eliminated by painting Smith as deceitful. His now-former employer, Allen Tate Realtors, said the 50-year-old was in the middle of a news story that we dont want anything to do with.. Smith, who is still in the game, told PEOPLE he was shell-shocked by Varners decision and struggles with forgiving him. He said lots of things and did different things, and I had inklings, and I suspected it very early on for various reasons. The tribe took a verbal vote and Varner was unanimously sent packing. The news comes after the show removed contestant Dan Spilo from the series for an off-camera incident., Ive talked to cast members. I'm not deceiving anybody. [I warned the company that headlines might be coming], but apparently not the people who needed to hear it.. Before the final pre-merge Tribal Council, Varner tried to convince Lacina, Wanner, and Boehlke to vote out Lusth, by saying that Smith was deceiving the tribe about his relationship with Lusth. That whole deception card was not about trans. 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. There are no excuses for what I did. Varner eventually recognized that what he did was wrong, but it didnt really matter at that point. (Choking up.) Then the MLS association emails to say, Youve been terminated. I didnt even find out from my company, he said. He likes all kinds of music, especially that which motivates. Jeff Probst spoke to Us Weekly in January 2020 about Richards absence. I'm involved in doing stuff. It was confirmed for me in watching the show. They are pre-taping the reunion because cast members plan to publicly support Dan and call out producers. I have so much to say and am fuming right now. 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.[5]. I honor it and I acknowledge it. Smith blinked in silence as the rest of the cast exchanged shocked stares. Thats personal!, Varner attempted to defend himself, claiming that he argues for the rights of transgender people every day in the state of North Carolina and would never say or do anything to hurt anyone here., Outing somebody you just outed him! shouted Trang in outrage. Youre saying by him not revealing it that hes capable of deception. At the fifth Tribal Council, Varner joined Diaz-Twine and Bradshaw in blindsiding Thomas. There's so much you don't see. On May 20, the results revealed that both Varner and Kappenberg from The Australian Outback were voted to return. That full screen disclaimer is a crock, he tweeted at the user. Theyre not going to allow them near a live mic. Stephanie Petit is a Royals Writer and Reporter at PEOPLE. However, Angkor was sent to live in hardship, being forced to live in a new camp without the any of the supplies that the two original tribes acquired during the marooning. Im the perfect person to weigh in. CBS andSurvivorwere on notice of Dans behavior from the very first days of the game. After the two-time player was outed as transgender by fellow tribe member Jeff Varner during tribal council on Wednesday's episode of Game Changers, he gave his first on-camera interview on . The most-recent scandal in Survivor, which resulted in the reunion format change, started when season 39 contestant Kellee Kim first told Dan, 48, that his touching made her uncomfortable during the first day of the competition. I know that forgiveness is difficult. But because Tribal was edited down so small, you don't see that. - Age Ive spoken to these people. These are dignified people. Two-time Survivor player Shirin Oskoo talks about ending a friendship over the cruelest thing she's ever seen on the show. Everybody has their own personal journey. I'd love to make the Jury finally, but if I don't, I want to make sure I've soaked it all up in a way that it's okay.[3]. It's just horrible. He was born in 1966 in Greensboro, North Carolina, United States. They are pre-taping the reunion because cast members plan to publicly support Dan and call out producers. He is a member of the Society of Human Resources. I have so much to say and am fuming right now. Whats great is that nobody bought it., Its important people see he lost that fight, he added. In 2012, Jeff became a news anchor for the CBS affiliate WNCT in Greenville, N.C. Jeff is planning to launch a travel company called, Jeff lost his job as a real estate agent in 2017 as a result of the backlash from the controversial statements he made at his elimination, Jeff was the second of three players eliminated at, Jeff received at least one vote at every Tribal Council he attended in, Jeff was the first male contestant to finish in 10th place, and the first male contestant to be on the merged tribe but be eliminated pre-, Jeff has claimed to have stopped eating peanut butter after, It has long been rumored that during the second, Jeff revealed that he had a pre-game alliance with, Jeff is the fourth contestant in series history to play at least twice and be eliminated pre-jury every time. At Tribal Council, Jeff sided with Abi-Maria, Andrew, and Tasha in sending Peih-Gee home. He also revealed that he has been working on a book called "Surviving Shame". Both Varner and Diaz-Twine voted for Trang at Tribal Council, but the rest of the tribe voted against Diaz-Twine, sending her out of the game for the first time in her Survivor career. Angkor's continued living in squalor continued to take its toll on the tribe, resulting in a complete collapse at the Day 11 Immunity Challenge. I feel horrible., Soon enough, Varner started crying as the gravity of his actions hit him: Im shocked, he said. Jeff is the only contestant to be eliminated pre-jury on their first two seasons, and return for a third season. [10] During his exit interview, he stated that no one on Survivor should do what he did. 100% horse st! Varner was then transferred to Nuku, along with Sandra Diaz-Twine, Malcolm Freberg, Aubry Bracco, and Michaela Bradshaw. As Im spending hours doing press [on Thursday], I discover I cant access my email. 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. Seeing that Jeff's actions would clearly lead to his elimination, Probst took an open roll call from all of the players, then had Varner eliminated without a formal vote. Many people were in tears during the Tribal Council, and even Jeff Probst defended Smith. I know you're not that person. I hate that that's what's coming out of this, because that's not what I meant. I'm more physically fit, less emotional, and smarter. He is 56 years old as of 16 April 2022. 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. How will you play differently this time? . When we do that, we stigmatize them. Jeff has not responded to Richards claim. 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. I'm good to people. Varner tried to persuade Lacina, Wanner, and Boehlke to vote out Lusth before the final pre-merge Tribal Council by claiming that Smith was deceiving the tribe about his relationship with Lusth. I recklessly revealed something I mistakenly believed everyone already knew. If he wants to take swings at me, I'm the one who will hand him the bat. ET) on CBS. About to climb the walls, Varner posted to Facebook after the shows episode aired. Editing doesn't help me in that arena, and that's unfortunate. That's the best I can deal with. I know there might bequestions about me and where I am and what I'm doing and how I'm feeling. CBS d.getElementsByTagName('body')[0].appendChild(js); Advertisements How old is Jeff Varner? I opened him up to discrimination and to danger and to crime. I'll be much more useful at challenges and intend to be more instrumental around camp. He held that chair until he left the station in April 2011. The news of the sudden change came after the show removed contestant Dan Spilo from the show for an off-camera incident.. That full screen disclaimer is a crock. I have to rely on the fact that the people who truly know me and love me know that. All through pre-game, I couldn't take my eyes off of him. '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. Rowling Backlash: 'Give Her More Grace', August Alsina Has Not Seen Chris Rock's Stand-Up About Jada Pinkett Smith Entanglement, Rep Says, Andy Cohen Says 'I'm Girding My Loins' for 'VPR' Reunion amid Tom Sandoval and Raquel Leviss Affair Fallout, How to Watch Chris Rock's Live Comedy Special, Where He'll Likely Address Will Smith's Oscars Slap, Teresa Giudice Reacts After Melissa Gorga Revives Their Sprinkle Cookie Feud on 'RHONJ', 'Survivor' Winner Donates Entire Million Dollar Prize to Veterans: 'I Am Very Fortunate', 'Family Karma' : Amrit's Mom Tearfully Apologizes to His Fianc Nicholas Ahead of Their Wedding, Brendan Morais and Pieper James' Relationship Timeline, 25 of the Wildest Rules You Didn't Know Contestants Have to Follow on 'Survivor', Emilia Clarke Gets Apology from Australian TV Executive Who Called Her a 'Short, Dumpy Girl', 'Superstore' 's Nico Santos and 'Survivor' 's Zeke Smith Get Engaged at GLAAD Media Awards, 'Married at First Sight' Recap: Johnny Lam Expresses Concerns for 1 Couple Who Were Once 'Frontrunners'. In the future, I have a plan. It was a two-hour Tribal that was edited to 20 [minutes]. 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. The message should be clear that hate will always lose.. I know what happened. She doesnt stay in touch with very many people from the show, and she even stopped being friends with someone whom she says did one of the cruelest things ever done to another contestant in the shows now multi-decade history.. Zeke Smith Talks About His "Work in Progress" Relationship With Survivor Co-Star Jeff Varner Recently voted-off contestant shared his thoughts after being outed as transgender during Tribal Council TheSurvivor: Island of the Idolsfinale and reunion will air on CBS on Wednesday, December 18, from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. 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. Playing with too much emotion in the beginning. I just played this game, so the excitement of being back is more tempered by a focus to not get too carried away. It was an awful thing to do. He did, however, reveal at the reunion that he had been hired by a new real estate agency.