We won't post to any of your accounts without asking first, In order to view the video, please allow Manage Cookies. What I did that night was horrible. I own responsibility in what is the worst decision of my life.. It's very difficult to live with. 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. He is often referred to as the shows first villain. I have so much to say and am fuming right now. T. Thomas, Jr., the Survivor: Tocantins winner. American reality television contestant, real estate agent and news anchor, 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=1151912285, Survivor (American TV series) contestants, UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media alumni, Articles with unsourced statements from April 2017, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 27 April 2023, at 00:55. This interview just has to be about Zeke. Zeke Smith on Forgiving Jeff Varner After 'Survivor' Outing: 'I Didn't But right now, I'm just devastated at what I've done to him and his family. 'Survivor' contestant rips CBS for pre-taped reunion after I'm turning this into a positive. He is an avid rollerblader, spending many afternoons skating through Manhattan's busy streets. With the entire cast still reeling with emotion, Probst moved onto the next step. Many were in tears as the Tribal Council played out, and even Jeff Probst came to Smith's defense. He's continued to forgive me. I couldn't even think about me and my life for months after it was over with. 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. Days after Don . I plan to try and control my emotions more. You don't see the conversation I had with Ozzy where he told me he was in an alliance with Zeke and Andrea. The cast is not happy. 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. He held that chair until he left the station in April 2011. . Jeff Varner (@JEFFVARNER) December 12, 2019. He is 56 years old as of 16 April 2022. [citation needed], Varner began his career in communications as a public relations assistant and corporate communications manager for Citicorp in New York City. It's a hard thing for me to live with. "What just happened on Survivor tonight is 100% bull st. EXCLUSIVE: Jeff Varner's Former Employer Speaks Out on 'Survivor Survivor: Watch the Emotional Moment Jeff Probst Kicks Out Jeff Varner Russell was working to deceive people. RELATED VIDEO: PENs Survivor Fan Forum Reacts to Zeke Being Outed as Transgender. In the future, I have a plan. 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. Season 2: Australia, Finished 10th out of 16 & Non-Jury If he wants to take swings at me, I'm the one who will hand him the bat. There's so much you don't see. 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. He was given a formal warning from production at day 22. [2], Jeff Varner was raised on a tobacco farm in Greensboro, North Carolina. 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. We need to lift their voices and help them and not reduce them to body parts and surgeries and things that objectify and dehumanize them. I'm more physically fit, less emotional, and smarter. Jeff countered by citing that he had already proven his loyalty to the tribe, while Woo had not. Stephanie Petit is a Royals Writer and Reporter at PEOPLE. I didn't know who Zeke was. The Survivor: Island of the Idols finale and reunion airs on CBS Wednesday, December 18, from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. But because Tribal was edited down so small, you don't see that. 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. Ugh. I plan to align myself with the big threats. He also criticized Jeff for being fake. In the season 41 premiere, Jeff asked the cast if they were comfortable with him using the phrase come on in, guys given shifting gender norms in society. I have to rely on the fact that the people who truly know me and love me know that. Zeke's hesitance caused Jeff to believe that Zeke and Ozzy had a secret alliance, which he exposed to the other tribe members, causing them to question their loyalties. Survivor. As a result, Varner began to panic and decided to turn on one of his own allies, ultimately voting with the majority to send Law home on Day Nine. Not at all. 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 . 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. Im the perfect person to weigh in. We were in a different time and different culture back then and we would never let him run a challenge naked now. I've been called every name in the book. And hes calling me a bigot and full of hate and all kinds of stuff. how to be an ally to the transgender community. None of those Heroes vs Villains knew who Russell was. When asked by a cohost if we will see Edge of Extinction again, Probst responds, "Yes, absolutely. Email: Varner: No. Ultimately, Abi-Maria put aside her grudge against Woo, and she, Andrew, and Tasha opted to keep the tribe strong and vote out Jeff 4-1. Its Varner.. 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. Im the perfect person to weigh in. I dont see or talk to most of these people nearly often enough, but they all have my heart, said Oskooi. I can only profusely apologize. 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 was born in 1966 in Greensboro, North Carolina, United States. Multiple Survivor alums, including Russell Hantz and Parvati Shallow, also spoke out in opposition. 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. Current Age: 49 https://www.cbs.com/shows/survivor/cast/20787/, https://www.cbs.com/shows/survivor/cast/215113/, https://www.cbs.com/shows/survivor/cast/215595/, https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/alt.tv.survivor/U3zsup_1rpM, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKhBeaD2qy4, https://youtu.be/jseHkf5ls8g?list=PLbkYrk13yG1TU9gBySyoJOKUI8HddwNoB, https://twitter.com/OgdenDiane/status/644645689369186304, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJQ36WsW6O0, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Io91MKjtoZM, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1hLnSKt4-M, http://www.adweek.com/tvspy/jeff-varner-joins-wnct-as-evening-anchor/64666, http://www.adweek.com/tvspy/former-survivor-contestant-jeff-varner-out-at-wnct/130901, http://www.thetvjunkies.com/survivors-jeff-varner-interview/, http://www.greensboro.com/blogs/gotriad_extra/greensboro-s-jeff-varner-faces-backlash-after-outing-fellow-survivor/article_1d75e724-08cc-5fbb-826f-72e6ac9ecaa3.html, http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/jeff-varner-of-survivor-australia-auctioning-coloring-book-pages-for-children-charity-814.php, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifMToVaAAPw, http://robhasawebsite.com/survivor-31-2015-second-chances-kimmi-kappenberg-interview/, "Survivor: CambodiaSecond Chance players reveal who they are surprised did NOT make the cast", http://www.ew.com/article/2015/08/26/survivor-cambodia-second-chance-cast-video-shane-powers, Contestants Appearing in Multiple Seasons, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, On May 17, 2001, Jeff appeared as an panelist on, In 2003, Jeff was one of several castaways who appeared on, Jeff worked as an entertainment reporter for KCBS in Los Angeles, CA then, Jeff began his career in communications as a public relations assistant and corporate communications manager for Citicorp in New York City. CBS andSurvivorwere on notice of Dans behavior from the very first days of the game. When we're in pain, when we're in fear, we're a dangerous people, and we often do and say the wrong things. The others are. With Abi-Maria, Andrew, and Tasha still in control, the vote was narrowed down to Jeff and Woo, who argued that Jeff should be voted out because of his deteriorating physical condition and his poor challenge performance. It was revealed on the Survivor: Australia DVD, in the special commentary section, that it was Kimmi Kappenberg that inadvertently gave away the vote he had against him during the Episode Two Reward Challenge. I need to get my tissues here, because it's horrible. 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. At Mana's second Tribal Council, he joined the majority in voting out Survivor: Cagayan winner Tony Vlachos. Emotional. Survivor's Shirin Oskooi on Jeff Varner's Cruel Outing of Zeke Smith That's where I got the idea to use that secret alliance as a tool. The production team gave Spilo a formal warning on day 22. 'Survivor's' Jeff Varner fired after outing trans contestant - USA Today He stated during his exit interview that no one on Survivor should do what he did. The message should be clear that hate will always lose.. His perfect day includes a trip to the mountains with someone special for a day of hiking and nature (including a swim at a breathtaking waterfall). Probst didnt even have them go off and vote in secret. I've spoken to him several times since then. It was hard to watch. His real name Jeffrey Keith Varner. But the most important thing is Zeke forgave me. The cast is not happy. Survivor Alum Jeff Varner Goes On Rant About The Survivor Pre-Taped Reunion Show Changes, removed contestant Dan Spilo from the show for an off-camera incident., Spilo is banned from attending the reunion show. I know what happened. 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. I'm involved in doing stuff. I have so much to say and am fuming right now. Varner was a contestant on Survivor: The Australian Outback, 2001. When Nuku lost immunity again, Jeff tried to convince Zeke again to get rid of Ozzy, but Zeke was conflicted due to his strategy of keeping larger targets in the game as shields. That reasoning is infinitely worse than him outing me because its the same one used to discriminate against, attack and murder trans people. And I am so sorry, Zeke. . & Aubry who targeted Michaela and Michaela & Sandra who targeted J.T.. ET. They joined original Nuku member James "J. T." Thomas, Jr., winner of Survivor: Tocantins. ET) on CBS. 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. 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. When Ta Keo lost again, the alliance split their votes between Shirin and Spencer, and Shirin was voted out. 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.. In the event of a tie at the time, previous tribal council votes would be used. Survivors host Probst toldEntertainment Weeklythat he could not comment about Spilos removal or any details out of respect for privacy and confidentiality. The host did share that Spilo was not happy about the decision, but latercalmed down and was actually very respectful about it. 333. He's said and done wonderful things. 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. And out of my mouth, it came. Editing doesn't show any of that. Ive spoken to people on this cast. Varner was, until September 2014, main anchor at WNCT-TV, the CBS affiliate in Greenville, North Carolina. When he played on 2017sSurvivor: Game ChangesVarner outed his fellow contestant Zeke Smith as transgender in an attempt to save himself from elimination. He also revealed that he has been working on a book called "Surviving Shame". The 34th season of "Survivor" premieres Wednesday night on CBS, and Jeff Varner of Greensboro will be among the contestants. They are pre-taping the reunion because cast members plan to publicly support Dan and call out producers. Hometown: Greensboro, NC[2], Age: 50 I think he hoped others would believe that trans people are dangerous and fraudulent, he said. Just grab your torch.. Jeff Varner Biography, Age, Height, Wife, Net Worth, Family Survivor 40, commonly referred to as Winners at War, featured several previous winners, but Richard Hatch was noticeably absent. What Im showing is a deception, started Smith but the rest of the tribemates quickly fired back. Everything I have to talk about today must be about Zeke and his safety and his peace and all of that. During the show, Varner's luxury item was a coloring book and a set of crayons. Varner: (Long pause.) Because Keith Famie and Tina Wesson were aware of this, and Tina had no votes against her previously while Keith had several, Keiths request to Tina after they had both lasted for hours in the Immunity challenge and were the last two players standing resulted in Tina ending her run, ensuring Keiths safety, and leaving Kucha with no one to vote for who had more votes than Varner: Jeff had two but was unaware of one, and Colby had zero. It took me a minute. In the latest episode of Survivor: Game Changers, Jeff Varner outed fellow castaway Zeke Smith as transgender. Jeff Varner is an internet project manager, having most recently worked as Director of People and Process for a Manhattan start-up company. The day finishes with a jog, a shower, a bottle of Merlot, a ruthless game of backgammon, and great sex. 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Eric Dane Bio, Age, Wife, Height, Net Worth, Family, Parents, Movies. It heightened my inspection of him. What didyou do to get here? He was part of the first team in the corporate world to utilize the internet to communicate project information in Citicorp's "Product Design and Development Division. (function(d, s, id) { 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. Sandra told me that he showed up to the airport carrying a bible. Though Jeff and Sandra stuck together in voting for Tai, the Nuku alliance succeeded in voting out Sandra, leaving Jeff as the odd man out. I mean, I haven't been able to live with this for so long. Jeffrey Keith Varner (born April 16, 1966) is an American real estate agent and television personality, a former 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. She was replaced on Nuku by the recently-exiled Debbie Wanner. 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. I give him every bit of space to fire off and act toward me however he must. 100% horse st! CBS andSurvivorwere on notice of Dans behavior from the very first days of the game. Prior, he worked as a general assignment reporter for WPIX-11, the CW's flagship station in New York City. When we were in pain and we are in fair, we are dangerous people. Suddenly my real estate license was inactive and my current clients [were] left in the dark. No matter how good of a game you're playing, drawing the wrong buff can change everything. He said lots of things and did different things, and I had inklings, and I suspected it very early on for various reasons. Jeff Varner | Survivor Wiki | Fandom We push them back into a closet. Varner was a contestant on Survivor: The Australian Outback, 2001. It was a horrible thing. He, along with Sandra Diaz-Twine, Malcolm Freberg, Aubry Bracco, and Michaela Bradshaw, were switched to Nuku after the first tribe switch. Make your predictions and compete to win prizes and glory predicting all aspects of Hollywood competition. There was a hidden alliance. It all went down during the tribal council, when Varner, 50, outed Smith, 29, in an attempt to paint the Brooklyn-based asset manager as deceitful and therefore worthy of being voted out. After Tribal Council, Jeff planned on trying to convince everyone to get rid of Ozzy for being a physical threat come the merge. 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. Jeff is the only contestant to be eliminated pre-jury on their first two seasons, and return for a third season. I love love love the game, but I despise whats happening to it, he said. 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. I'm doing great stuff in the future, and I hope you'll give me time in the future to talk about it. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. In the Drop Your Buffs interview, Richard didnt hold back his disdain for Jeff, telling Sean and Evan, Jeff Probst is horrendous as a human being. But I was arguing the deception of the alliance. 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. With the shows therapist, with a local therapist. #sexnotgender. Season 42 of Survivor will air in March of 2022. 'Survivor' Alum Jeff Varner Goes On Rant About The - Fame10 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. Cant have that on a live mic. Cowards., The former reality TV star is no stranger toSurvivordrama. Jeff Varner was fired from his real estate job this week, due to the public backlash generated when he outed fellow castaway Zeke Smith on last Wednesday's Survivor: Game Changers.