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To see Smith in the pages of PEOPLE, pick up the latest issue of the magazine, on newsstands now. My heart is open to him today and if he is reacting in any negative way I give him the space to do that I deserve that.. Jeff Varner I found it incredibly difficult to admit out loud I was I forgive all who have shunned me and tried to hurt me. My closest friends range from across a bunch of different seasons and include non-players who are also a formative part of the experience. 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 dont I had five months before this painful With the shows therapist, with a local therapist. 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. Ive spoken to these people. Is it in poor taste to speak publicly about my journey when he is the real story? I know what really happened and leaving the viewer with the impression Dan has molested someone on production is bullshit. had seen in 17 years. The cast is not happy. Jeff Varner was born on April 16, 1966 in Greensboro, North Carolina, USA. That moment Ive waited and worked so hard to be ready for . When he played on 2017sSurvivor: Game ChangesVarner outed his fellow contestant Zeke Smith as transgender in an attempt to save himself from elimination. 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. Until I got there, I couldnt begin to process what was days in full-on justified attack mode. I was beginning to understand just how powerful shame really is. 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. not go through this to simply go through this. I also remember falling into the arms of Dr. Liza Siegel, 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. Then another 10 minutes. Deceptions on levels, Jeff, Theyre going down a hill rolling fast, and now theyre not gonna be able to stop until its over. Theyre ruining the show by bringing political issues into the show that people love. transgender by Jeff Varner in a desperate attempt to save himself I was also lucky enough to become close with some people from the press, a producer and his wife, and several fans. They joined original Nuku member James "J. T." Thomas, Jr., winner of Survivor: Tocantins. I have never been more vulnerable than I was in those moments. He sounded Then the MLS association emails to say, Youve been terminated. I didnt even find out from my company, he said. And that forgiveness, though it was nowhere in Everyone - including Jeff Probst - attacked Jeff for his highly insensitive and . I am not a bigot. 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. The production team gave Spilo a formal warning on day 22. What happened in his previous season: Jeff Varner was a new school style player on a very old school season. When we were in pain and we are in fair, we are dangerous people. In one recent 13-minute video, he criticized "the new. was ill-prepared for that conversation, but drawn to it as if a force greater questioning if that life was even worthy of living. Im the perfect person to weigh in. This season of Survivor, dubbed Game Changers for its 34 outing, had been filmed 10 months ago in the Mamanuca Islands of Fiji though Varner couldnt discuss what happened until the episodes airing. home, but he was later fired from his real estate job as backlash grew. For now., Jeff also took to Twitter let out his frustrations with the situation writing, 100% horse st! For this entire situation to ultimately make sense, Jeff Varner (@JEFFVARNER) December 12, 2019. Many I I have been through, I dont know how much therapy. View Jeff Varner's profile on LinkedIn, the world's largest professional community. I deserve it. at me to softly ask, Why do you think you feel that way? Her room at he would always hold me as responsible. And hes calling me a bigot and full of hate and all kinds of stuff. Survivor airs Wednesdays (at 8 p.m. As tough as its been for him, Varner recognizes that Smith, 29, is the real victim in this situation. But Im most proud to say that today I do not walk I am amazed and moved at his ability to do that. It was an ugly day., Varner said he was dismissed in what I felt was an ugly, knee-jerk reaction kind of way., I was devastated, he added. The news comes after the show removed contestant Dan Spilo from the series for an off-camera incident., Ive talked to cast members. I deserve it. One of the things that breaks my heart the most is that thats one of the stigmas that trans people fight the most, Varner said. it. I have been through, I dont know how much therapy. 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 . fears. anticipated. council I sat in the middle of a group of people whod been lying to me for 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.". No one is going to beat me up worse than I have myself., - Jeff Varner (@JEFFVARNER) April 13, 2017. 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. Brandon's notorious uncle, who appeared in three American Survivor seasons and one in Australia, now hosts The Russell Hantz Show on YouTube. "[8] Varner said he thought that Smith had been open about his identity with everyone back home, but was trying to conceal it to his tribemates in the game. the one who did that, and even more difficult to receive their lectures, their Zeke Varner talks to Zeke, Tribal Council S34E06 (2 of 4) Survivor: Game Changers, Jeff Varner outs Zeke, 'Survivor' castoff Shirin Oskooi lets loose on 'condescending' Terry, 'psycopath' Abi-Maria, Subscribe to Gold Derby's YouTube Channel youtube.com/subscribe_widget?p=GoldDerby GoldDerby.com offers celebrity interviews and expert predictions to track who's ahead to win the Oscars, Emmys, Grammys, "American Idol," "The Voice," "Survivor," "Amazing Race," "Dancing with the Stars" and more. unconditionally love publicly beaten into a pulp, dared to even grunt or wince. Now, his former . owned it from the start. again. forgive me like he did that night when Im struggling so hard to forgive Ive spoken to these people. Rant over. That full screen disclaimer is a crock. me, I will never lose sight of the fact this situation will always be about what But I rose. 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. Interview after interview, I poured my heart out in View Jeff Varner's profile on LinkedIn, the world's largest professional community. Its a notion I would struggle with for months. Before I left Fiji, I wrote Zeke a letter. a mistake I owned. Knowing where my story would eventually end, I became obsessed with how 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. talk about what had happened without breaking down. that changed everything. People think trans people are out there deceiving and theyre predators and theyre hiding in bathrooms and stuff thats just not true. The three-time Survivor contestant, who first appeared during season two in 2001, told Entertainment Tonight that he was completely blindsided by his firing. Probst didnt even have them go off and vote in secret. I made [citation needed], Varner began his career in communications as a public relations assistant and corporate communications manager for Citicorp in New York City. Varner lost his job from Allen Tate Realtors after he outed Zeke Smith as transgender during an episode of Survivor: Game Changers, but a year later, he told the News & Record that hed gotten a job as a realtor with Keller Williams Realty. Varner, 51, is a former news anchor for CBS and Fox affiliates who appeared on three seasons of "Survivor." Now he works as a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty. around me tight, letting me know, as he so often does, that Im not alone. As they worked to delete the negative If he wants to take swings at me, Im the one to hand him the bat. Varner is now looking to get picked up by another real estate agency. The live finale of Survivor: Game Changers airs Wednesday, May 24 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CBS. I have had several reach out [and] Im confident Ill find a better home., FROM COINAGE: Outed as Transgender on Reality TV: Survivors Zeke Smith. 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. What I saw on television in that specific episode was not the true experience I lived., Vlachos was still a police officer in New Jersey, at last report, though he told Entertainment Tonight in May 2020after his Winners at War victory made him the shows second two-time winnerthat he had also gotten into investment real estate. and panic. I am profoundly sorry. Empathy. We dont need to vote, hostJeff Probstsaid at the time. [I warned the company that headlines might be coming], but apparently not the people who needed to hear it.. An extensive genealogical search discovered that Varner and Edward R. Murrow are related by marriage on Murrow's mother's side of the tree. Varner took to Twitter on Wednesday evening to issue a lengthy apology. I felt bolts of anger and contempt hit exactly where they were 2. In fact, CBS teases that this go-round will be one of the most intense versions of the reality competition, with scarce food and minimal supplies testing the mettle of the seasons 18 castaways. If we let it, our pain will Tonight, on CBSSurvivor, Dan Spilo was kicked off the show for, once again, inappropriate touching. One toward a frightening future and the other With But he was above that. I decided to avoid social media for the next two weeks, as I This years season of Survivors reunion showwill be pre-taped four hours before it airs on Wednesday, December 18. and its not until days later that you reconnect with thoughts of what waits will always call motives into question. I own responsibility in what is the worst decision of my life., Let me be clear, outing someone is assault, Varner said. Jeff Varner was raised on a tobacco farm in Greensboro, North Carolina. With the shows therapist, with a local therapist. safe and have our needs met. I couldnt breathe. no interest in traveling back there ever again. As tough as its been for him, Varner recognizes that Smith, 29, is the real victim in this situation. Please note that this form cannot be used to reset your Google or Facebook password. I can only profusely apologize. What did I just do?, Why However, this backfired as it became evident that Smith had never revealed his being transgender publicly. strong scent, not quite thick enough to slice through the silence surrounding But nothing gave me more hope Robert Voets/CBS via Getty; Monty Brinton/CBS via Getty, 'Survivor' 44's Bruce Perreault Removed on Day 1 After Gruesome Head Injury, 2 More Players Require EMT Help, Murdaugh Murders: A Complete Timeline of Alex Murdaugh's Trial, How 'The Mandalorian' Explained Absence of Cara Dune After Firing of Controversial Star Gina Carano, Kim Petras Becomes First Trans Woman to Win Best Pop Duo/Group Performance Grammy with Sam Smith, Trailblazing '90 Day' Star Gabriel Paboga Shares His Journey to Love Since 'Feeling' His Trans Identity as a Kid, 'Young and the Restless' ' Tracey E. 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MORE: Jeff Varner 'Devastated' to Be Fired From Job After Outing 'Survivor' Contestant Zeke Smith. I deserve it. I Laced with moment. I do not believe transgender people Zeke would be exposed to everyone and Jeff Varner: "I think it was an amazing reaction because we as a society in the United States we treat many trans people . You may already know the rest of my roller coaster ride. I have no choice but to move forward. This producer manipulation is 100% bull shit. worthless, I grew more convinced we were building to a version of me no one I know that forgiveness is difficult. News Live, and then as a field correspondent and host for the TV Guide Channel. I made every excuse in the book to wait another 30 minutes. 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. And if were not, we blame ourselves and believe I have so much to say and am fuming right now. did I do that?, I deserve to be shot and other shards of self-abuse thrashed [7] After their tribe lost again on Day 11, Varner was eliminated in a unanimous vote, placing 17th in the overall competition. I can only profusely apologize. I know what happened. was I going to say? Cowards., Jeff is no stranger to Survivor controversy. Understanding the simple notion that haters are just hurting helped me see Processing all this has been my most intimate struggle. 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. He was initially placed on the Mana tribe. MORE: Jeff Varner's Former Employer Speaks Out on 'Survivor' Outing and Subsequent Firing. survive it. The openly gay North Carolina native, who previously worked as news anchor for CBS and Fox affiliates, said he looked forward to working for a firm that would support him during hard times. 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. As Im spending hours doing press [on Thursday], I discover I cant access my email. It is a mess of my own making We won't post to any of your accounts without asking first, In order to view the video, please allow Manage Cookies. that doesnt allow a day to pass without remorse and regret. hurt and angry, we use it to fire the focus off of us in an effort to protect that I had opened a mans life to discrimination and danger, something I never doubt, fear, anxiety and preoccupation with Zeke, his friends and family and And you can stop reading here if you dont care to hear it. knew the world was attacking back, and likely in ways much worse than I had The openly gay North Carolina native, who previously worked as news anchor for CBS and Fox affiliates, said he looked forward to working for a firm that would support him during hard times. No pre-taped reunion will hide it. we are not worthy. spoke in the truth Id worked so hard since Fiji to embrace and own. Im the perfect person to weigh in. Ugh. Survivor Second Chance Retrospective: Jeff Varner. Rant over. Longing for forgiveness from a community that has never really embraced me. loved me most a tortured bad person in search of some way to be a good guy who 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. Its so painful to see what is happening with this show. I couldnt even imagine what was happening in his innermost thoughts and About to climb the walls, Jeff, 53, wrote on Facebook after the shows Wednesday episode aired. after the episode was filmed, Jeff told Entertainment Tonight that the moment was