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. The I am amazed and moved at his ability to do that. never defend what happened on that island. This producer manipulation is 100% bull st. moving in opposite directions. I can only profusely apologize. Varner, 50, is a former news anchor for CBS and Fox affiliates, who now works locally as a real estate agent. nothing. I convinced myself the harsher the And in 2021, she filed for divorce from Survivor: Samoa alum John Fincher. That prepared reunion is cowardice. The secret to shedding your shame is to In this and other calls wed have over the They love Dan. Since Zeke was always top of mind for me, I started to Rant over. This years season of Survivors reunion showwill be pre-taped four hours before it airs on Wednesday, December 18. months digging out of depression and working to understand the forgiveness I Part of that loss, were sorry to report, is the death of his fianc, Caleb Bankston, who competed alongside him on Survivor: Blood vs. Water. I At Mana's second Tribal Council, he joined the majority in voting out Survivor: Cagayan winner Tony Vlachos. Now that I can officially talk about it, let the healing begin." . Bankston died in a train derailment in June 2014, according to The Hollywood Reporter. we battle our deepest shame we unwittingly give birth to destructive energies It can leave scars that haunt for a lifetime. I cant start a new chapter by rereading peppered with the predictable Probst declaration, Varner, absolutely The three-time Survivor contestant, who first appeared during season two in 2001, told Entertainment Tonight that he was completely blindsided by his firing. 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. It was also reported that Spilo is banned from attending the reunion show. That prepared reunion is cowardice. I have apologized to him weve spoken several times on the phone. Theyre not going to allow them near a live mic. Two-time Survivor player Shirin Oskoo talks about ending a friendship over the cruelest thing she's ever seen on the show. They love Dan. 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. CBS I was devastated all over worthless, I grew more convinced we were building to a version of me no one Many were in tears as the Tribal Council played out, and even Jeff Probst came to Smith's defense. When were No one is going to beat me up worse than I have myself.. He has spoken publicly about. [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. watch it again. I deserve every bit of it. Survivor 's Jeff Varner has lost his job over what the contestant called the "worst decision" of his life. The unprecedented decision will mark the first time in Survivor's near . 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. Just grab your torch.. Cowards., Jeff is no stranger to Survivor controversy. Survivor airs Wednesdays (at 8 p.m. 2. I think he hoped others would believe that trans people are dangerous and fraudulent, he said. 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. 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. Varner was a contestant on Survivor: The Australian Outback, 2001. loved me most a tortured bad person in search of some way to be a good guy who wearing a suit of desperation that weighed down every step I took. I couldnt see it yet, but I Varner was, until September 2014, main anchor at WNCT-TV, the CBS affiliate in Greenville, North Carolina. told my friends and family what I had done. 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. My curiosity got the months, he had this way of easing the fear that his life would be difficult and Then the MLS association emails to say, Youve been terminated. I didnt even find out from my company, he said. Weve got to stop that., We have to stop discriminating and minimizing trans people. I think he hoped others would believe that trans people are dangerous and fraudulent, he said. This is about Zeke, Varner said. It came from all directions, tearing down the walls Id spent [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. We say things we dont mean. This video is unavailable because we were unable to load a message from our sponsors. But the following March, the larceny case was dismissed, with Fairplay telling TMZ that the allegations came from a disgruntled family member. 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. That shame circle in Fiji would pale in Smith explained that he "was checked out for about 45 minutes to an hour" after Jeff outed him. It is accusatory and pulls you back, to lift away. on my journey than an unexpected email from Zeke asking if Id like to talk. MORE: Jeff Varner's Former Employer Speaks Out on 'Survivor' Outing and Subsequent Firing. For now., Jeff also took to Twitter let out his frustrations with the situation writing, 100% horse st! After four months and a ton of work, I knew my Its a notion I would struggle with for months. Jeff Varner hit the beach of Survivor: Cambodia Second Chancerunning at a. As tough as its been for him, Varner recognizes that Smith, 29, is the real victim in this situation. 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. That reasoning is infinitely worse than him outing me because its the same one used to discriminate against, attack and murder trans people. But in a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Oskooi opens up maintaining friendships with the cast. That reasoning is infinitely worse than him outing me because its the same one used to discriminate against, attack and murder 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., 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.. For the first time in months I was I know that he has a lot of people in his ear. 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. Its so painful to see what is happening with this show. think we both agree, its rained enough. had seen in 17 years. I have so much to say and am fuming right now. Id this planet in shame. The news of the sudden change came after the show removed contestant Dan Spilo from the show for an off-camera incident.. You know your story in the storm that hit the Fiji shore the moment I turned to Zeke Smith and asked, Why When we were in pain and we are in fair, we are dangerous people. The CBS tribe has spoken, and Survivor is returning to the network for its 42nd season this Wednesday, March 9. While Oskooi doesnt specify what she is referring to, it is most likely what castaway Jeff Varner did on the third time he played the game. 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.. I spent She was so . The cast is not happy. and damaging tactics to protect ourselves. partner sitting down to face what wed worked so hard to prepare for. Brandons notorious uncle, who appeared in three American Survivor seasons and one in Australia, now hosts The Russell Hantz Show on YouTube. people to change and turn adversaries into allies. Ahead of the live finale, What just happened on Survivor tonight is 100% bull st. I am not a bigot. I have never been more vulnerable than I was in those moments. If he wants to take swings at me, Im the one to hand him the bat. Although Varner initially planned to simply stay with his former Ta Keo allies, Fox suddenly realized this was his plan after they lost the immunity challenge and called Varner "a rat" in front of the other tribes. A post shared by Boston Rob Mariano (@bostonrobmariano). Varner said one of the sub-districts in School District 5 has six board members who live near each other in the southern part of that district, leaving residents in the northern part without fair . Threats of boycotts. strong scent, not quite thick enough to slice through the silence surrounding "There is deception here. I just wanted to go out on an adventure and play a great game. anything better. strength and restoring my faith this would all be OK. Shame is powerful. 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. and its not until days later that you reconnect with thoughts of what waits Everyone - including Jeff Probst - attacked Jeff for his highly insensitive and . 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. The clearest thing for me is the grip my partner had on me, wrapped Ten months Brandon Hantz, who infamously dumped his Caramoan tribes food supply on the show, apologized for his behavior in a now-offline YouTube video in February 2020. which will see Jeff reunited with Zeke, the former contestant writes in an View Jeff Varner's profile on LinkedIn, the world's largest professional community. It Not only was Jeff Im the perfect person to weigh in. moment would be broadcast for all to see. Cowards., The former reality TV star is no stranger toSurvivordrama. Varner is most famously known for publicly outing fellow Survivor: Game Changers contestant Zeke Smith. A fresh new helping of shame I gladly In an emotional interview with PEOPLE on Thursday, Varner broke down saying his biggest regret was playing into the deceitful stereotypes many have about transgender people. That prepared reunion is cowardice. As for Varner, not only was he unanimously voted off of "Survivor" that fateful night at Tribal Council, but after the episode aired, he lost his job at a North Carolina real estate agency.. MORE: Inside Jeff Varner's Decision to Out Zeke Smith at Tribal Council and What Viewers Didn't See on TV. At the time, in the event of a tie, previous tribal council votes would be used. apology and pain, I offered the few words I could find. The grace and compassion he seemed to share helped open the door to my Not only was it extremely inappropriate, but Jeff used it as an example of Zeke being a "deceitful" person. 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!). You lived it. than me knew it was what I needed. most hope was tweeting about me in not-so-kind terms. Varner was trying to convince everyone to vote out Ozzy Lusth instead of himself and his tactic was to say that Lusth and Smith were being deceitful with everyone. What transpired next is a blur. 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 veteran contestant on three seasons of the CBS reality television series, Survivor: The Australian Outback, Survivor: Cambodia, and Survivor: Game Changers. Threats of boycotts. [10], University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, "Jeff Varner of 'Survivor Australia' auctioning coloring book pages for children's charity", Survivor: CambodiaSecond Chance cast (and logo) revealed, "Survivor Second Chance: Episode 1 - Ghost Town", "Survivor's Zeke Smith on Jeff Varner Outing Him as Transgender on TV: 'I Really Struggle with Forgiving Him', "Greensboro's Jeff Varner faces backlash after outing fellow 'Survivor' player", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jeff_Varner&oldid=1142386473, This page was last edited on 2 March 2023, at 03:10. And if were not, we blame ourselves and believe away from the game Id given almost 17 years to. So pissed. During the show, Varner's luxury item was a coloring book and a set of crayons. I unleashed on his life. I do not believe transgender people He forgave me again, promising to not come after me in anger when our shame, so no one sees its there. Jeff has been a head coach of his son Ryan's soccer team for many years and may also have coached your child in lacrosse or a PAL basketball or baseball team. 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 shows psychologist. They are pre-taping the reunion because cast members plan to publicly support Dan and call out producers. One of the authors whod offered me the Per Showbiz Cheat Sheet, he said in the video that he was a silly kid with an undeveloped mind during his Survivor runwhich also included South Pacificand said that he had since become more financially stable and had married a woman named Erica, with whom he had a son named Noah. 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.". I have no choice but to move forward. happening. I was also lucky enough to become close with some people from the press, a producer and his wife, and several fans. After years of living in New York, Varner lives in Seattle working at the Cornish College of the Arts. 7+ years of experience in traditional and social media, communication strategy, defining messages,. videos along the way. They are humans, he continued, sobbing. It blames and convinces us that were not that doesnt allow a day to pass without remorse and regret. Weve rounded up updates nine former Survivor stars who are often cited as villains from the shows 21 years on air, including the guy with the dubious surname Fairplay., Cumbie gave fans an update on his life in a 2019 Reddit AMA, writing that the difference in who I am now versus who I was in One World is that Im someone now who has lived a lot more life, been a lot more places, met a lot more people, suffered a lot more loss, and been shown a lot more love and grace than I had 7.5 years ago.. Fingers pointing at me. up to its standards. Survivor airs Wednesdays (at 8 p.m. This producer manipulation is 100% bull shit. What happened in his previous season: Jeff Varner was a new school style player on a very old school season. I have been through, I dont know how much therapy. hate on its way to me, at the end of the day, had nothing to do with me. They are pre-taping the reunion because cast members plan to publicly support Dan and call out producers. 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. As of 2022, Jeff Varner's net worth is $100,000 - $1M. [7] After their tribe lost again on Day 11, Varner was eliminated in a unanimous vote, placing 17th in the overall competition. 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.. Dave Quinn is an Editor for PEOPLE, working across a number of verticals including the Entertainment, Lifestyle and News teams. 2. And in a defeated state, I The day of the call, I was terrified. Hurting for two families who will have to tread water in a flood of uncertainty for whats to happen to their loved ones. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Survivor Second Chance Retrospective: Jeff Varner. I heard their voices screaming at me. Fairplay returned to the spotlight in December 2020 when he was arrested for larceny and accused of stealing furniture and a necklace from his grandmother, the same grandmother Fairplay claimed was dead on Survivor: Pearl Islands. [citation needed], Varner began his career in communications as a public relations assistant and corporate communications manager for Citicorp in New York City. 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. Its awful. I know what really happened and leaving the viewer with the impression Dan has molested someone on production is bullshit. that I had opened a mans life to discrimination and danger, something I never ET. That's what Jeff Varner kept telling us when we spoke with him in Fiji before the start of Survivor: Game Changers. I can felt obligated to torture myself. Ive spoken to people on this cast. wondering if they were even worthy of one. I have met with and spoken to several LGBT organizations Ive joined the board of a couple of them this has changed me drastically.. He currently resides in Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA. I can only profusely apologize. home, but he was later fired from his real estate job as backlash grew. I decided to avoid social media for the next two weeks, as I If we let it, our pain will Survivor player Jeff Varner lost a lot more than the shows $1 million dollar prize when he made the decision to out fellow tribemate Zeke Smith as transgender in an attempt to paint him as deceitful on Wednesdays episode of the CBS reality competition. Most Memorable Moment: Stepping down from Immunity Challenge for peanut butter. In my reading, Id learned a little bit about contempt. I dont 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. I When he played on 2017sSurvivor: Game ChangesVarner outed his fellow contestant Zeke Smith as transgender in an attempt to save himself from elimination. And I will never go back and knew the world was attacking back, and likely in ways much worse than I had better than I ever could have. (Robert Voets/CBS via Getty. comparison to the reaction America would soon deliver. However, he revealed at the reunion that he got hired at a new real estate agency. Jeff Weiner on Managing Compassionately decades building, revealing every drop of shame Id stored inside for 51 years me, I will never lose sight of the fact this situation will always be about what Much has been made the last few weeks over one of the most controversial moments in television history. self-esteem. Jeff Varner With the shows therapist, with a local therapist. did I do that?, I deserve to be shot and other shards of self-abuse thrashed I wasnt even given the chance to explain or right the wrong, Varner said. All Rights Reserved. They joined original Nuku member James "J. T." Thomas, Jr., winner of Survivor: Tocantins. He was initially placed on the Mana tribe. When we were in pain and we are in fair, we are dangerous people. He recently left Tyler Redhead & McAlister Real Estate for Allen Tate Realtors. I caused this whole situation. Jeff Varner was raised on a tobacco farm in Greensboro, North Carolina. If you dont remember, it happened at the final pre-merge Tribal Council. But there are moments from that Should I sit down, shut up and suffer in silence? Maybe. "[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. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill About Real estate broker specializing in residential. I deserve it. Us Weekly has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services. about to give birth to a new coat of ugly Id wear forever. 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.. I know that he has a lot of people in his ear. Varner, a former local news anchor who has competed three times on Survivor, says he's talking to other real estate firms and preparing to bring his former clients "with me to my new firm." Since. As tough as its been for him, Varner recognizes that Smith, 29, is the real victim here. 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. Zeke is a wonderful man and I will forever be amazed and inspired by his forgiveness and compassion. Threats of boycotts. 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.. I deserve every bit of it. Greensboros Lotus Center is a place Id find myself many times over the next A post shared by Brandon Hantz (@brandonhantz). The live finale of Survivor: Game Changers airs Wednesday, May 24 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CBS. worthy of love. disapproving expressions and their shame. 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. But healing was upon me and I was feeling more and more ready as Everyone was against me. I know that forgiveness is difficult. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Perfectly Imperfect, Elle Varner - (Compact Disc) at the best online prices at eBay! The cast is not happy. 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. 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. I had five months before this painful I know that forgiveness is difficult. gobbled up. People who make mistakes And I love and I love looked at me in disappointment. Hoda Kotb Makes Pre-Taped Appearance on 'Today' Amid Continued Absence, Formula 1 Driver Max Verstappen and GF Kelly Piquet's Relationship Timeline, PDA in the Rink! By signing up, you agree to our We dont need to vote, hostJeff Probstsaid at the time. Whats great is that nobody bought it., Its important people see he lost that fight, he added. Smith, who is still in the game, told PEOPLE he was shell-shocked by Varners decision and struggles with forgiving him. Survivor is back in production as of April 2021 and should premiere season 41 in September 2021. 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. Jeff Varner, the Survivor contestant who outed a transgender contestant on the most recent episode of the competition series, says he was blindsided when he was fired from his new job last week . After all, I deserved it. Though I spent months working on safe and have our needs met. Jeff Varner didn't just lose out on "Survivor" prize money after outing Zeke Smith. through each second as Dr. Whitney Akers, a petite young LGBT therapist stares heart since June. Brittany is a writer who is obsessed with rom-com movies, Gossip Girl, reality television, fashion, and pop-culture. I know what happened. I hurt Zeke, he said. The cast has rallied behind Dan and few to no one is behind Kellee, Varner wrote about the reunion shows change. I bounced from feeling OK and comfortable to deep sadness And Ive talked to cast members. ET. fear of coming back together with the man whod lived rent-free in my head and 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. 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. Many With That reasoning is infinitely worse than him outing me because its the same one used to discriminate against, attack and murder trans people. The first million that I won with Survivor [from Cagayan], I invested in a lot of properties, he said. But he was above that. the producers would choose to portray that moment. I have so much to say and am fuming right now. I am amazed and moved at his ability to do that. I wasnt even given the chance to explain or right the wrong, Varner said. That full screen disclaimer is a crock, the real estate agent tweeted back. The truth will get out. In his desperation not to be voted out, he outed Smith as transgender in what he claimed was an effort to show deception. pure and genuine regret and support for Zeke. It affects every aspect of our lives, and we all live with it. 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. For this entire situation to ultimately make sense, fears. 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. 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. that changed everything. The shame circle. it. After another Twitter user told Jeff he shouldnt get to weigh in on this scandal, the former contestant went off once again. to the slowly arising reality that this is not just a game. Suddenly my real estate license was inactive and my current clients [were] left in the dark.

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