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. Tribal Council S34E06 (1 of 4) Survivor: Game Changers, Jeff Varner outs Zeke, Please support me by installing my Puzzles from Survivor app: apps.apple.com/us/app/puzzle-cluster/id1460284314 Alliance Tracker for Survivor app: apps.apple.com/us/app/alliance-tracker-for-survivor/id1486051580 #Survivor #SuvivorSuperFan #SurvivorGeek Twitter: twitter.com/rrTenz survivor.fandom.com/wiki/What_Happened_on_Exile,_Stays_on_Exile Day 18 I don't want to lose Ozzy, because the way I've set it up is to have bigger threats out there than myself. Its a notion I would struggle with for months. [citation needed], Varner began his career in communications as a public relations assistant and corporate communications manager for Citicorp in New York City. 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.. They are humans, he continued, sobbing. Varner was, until September 2014, main anchor at WNCT-TV, the CBS affiliate in Greenville, North Carolina. was ill-prepared for that conversation, but drawn to it as if a force greater Weve got to stop that., We have to stop discriminating and minimizing trans people. And hes calling me a bigot and full of hate and all kinds of stuff. 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. simply did a bad thing. So Im talking to several firms now that I know will care about and believe in their employees. and painful death. My family was tormented by seeing someone they We won't post to any of your accounts without asking first, In order to view the video, please allow Manage Cookies. beginning to feel OK. international television. So pissed. Survivor 's Jeff Varner has lost his job over what the contestant called the "worst decision" of his life. With all the dirt on Bayon now . The day of the call, I was terrified. I know that forgiveness is difficult. many a day in that eucalyptus-scented room full of tick tocks reviving my Longing for forgiveness from a community that has never really embraced me. Ugh. That breezy June night in Fiji, I walked into tribal council was I going to say? Upon learning of his removal, she shared her thoughts on Twitter. Threats of boycotts. And Ive sat quietly, watching and growing. respect Zeke Smith, hoping that hes OK and about to start thriving like never April 17, 2017, 8:41 AM 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. But the following March, the larceny case was dismissed, with Fairplay telling TMZ that the allegations came from a disgruntled family member. I just wanted to be known for my game., FROM COINAGE: Ask Yourself These Questions Before You Buy A Home. 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. Join now to see all activity Experience . Pride events now have mostly fetishism and kink on display, no? I had five months before this painful #Survivor.. [5] It was revealed that Varner had been part of a pre-game alliance prior to the start of filming, with three other players: Terry Deitz and Shane Powers of Survivor: Panama, and Kelly Wiglesworth of Survivor: Borneo. And hes calling me a bigot and full of hate and all kinds of stuff. As a superfan, playing in two seasons was a dream come true. . I can only profusely apologize. I have never been more vulnerable than I was in those moments. strong scent, not quite thick enough to slice through the silence surrounding Theyre not going to allow them near a live mic. I think he hoped others would believe that trans people are dangerous and fraudulent, he said. Us Weekly has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services. I unleashed on his life. reveal our purpose. didnt choose. 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. It robs a strong, courageous person of their power and protection and opens them up to discrimination and danger. When you know what really goes on then you can tell me your opinion., Varner then responded to another Twitter users response repeating his right to weigh in on the news. I convinced myself the harsher the However, he revealed at the reunion that he got hired at a new real estate agency. that has neither excuse nor defense. exclusive column for ET about than me knew it was what I needed. 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It would sit I have apologized to him weve spoken several times on the phone. 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. Varner took to Twitter on Wednesday evening to issue a lengthy apology. If we let it, our pain will For now., The former contestant, who competed on three seasons of the show, took to Twitter to vent more about the situation. Make your predictions and compete to win prizes and glory predicting all aspects of Hollywood competition. Although Powers did not make it into the season, Deitz and Wiglesworth did, and the two of them ended up with Varner on the same Ta Keo tribe. Ten months worthy of love. MORE: Zeke Smith Says Jeff Varner Should Be 'Embraced' After Outing Him on 'Survivor'. fear of coming back together with the man whod lived rent-free in my head and But you dont know the narrative producers will choose for I thank God for that and the gift of being an example as to why you should never do what I did.. you. I am profoundly sorry. As tough as its been for him, Varner recognizes that Smith, 29, is the real victim in this situation. he would always hold me as responsible. The grace and compassion he seemed to share helped open the door to my Ive blocked most of it out and have My closest friends range from across a bunch of different seasons and include non-players who are also a formative part of the experience. Cowards., Jeff is no stranger to Survivor controversy. I know that he has a lot of people in his ear. producers would choose to get me there. And hes calling me a bigot and full of hate and all kinds of stuff. Then the MLS association emails to say, Youve been terminated. I didnt even find out from my company, he said. He also explained to PEOPLE that he did not want to be the first transgender Survivor contestant., Im not ashamed of being trans, but I didnt want that to be my story, Smith said. I get it. That prepared reunion is cowardice. A post shared by Jonny Fairplay (@jonnyfairplay). videos along the way. That reasoning is infinitely worse than him outing me because its the same one used to discriminate against, attack and murder trans people. I was devastated all over I forgive him for that. game. For the next four months, I lived in a constant state of months, he had this way of easing the fear that his life would be difficult and I have apologized to him weve spoken several times on the phone. I was beginning to understand just how powerful shame really is. inside fueling defensiveness, stirring up anxiety and sowing the seeds of low The truth will get out. About to climb the walls, Jeff, 53, wrote on Facebook after the shows Wednesday episode aired. Contempt is one of those. A fresh new helping of shame I gladly 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. Im not afraid to share my truth. People who make mistakes sleep at all. This producer manipulation is 100% bull st. 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. I also remember leaving, walking down a lonely spotlit path Varner has been a fill-in host for Live with Regis and Kelly and also worked for many years as morning anchor at WWMT Channel 3 in Kalamazoo, MI before being promoted to main anchor. This article was originally published on PEOPLE.com, Tom Sizemore, star of 'Saving Private Ryan,' 'Heat,' dies at 61 after brain aneurysm, Josh Hartnett is done talking about his break from Hollywood but ready to make fun of actors: 'We're the worst', Michael B. Jordan admits muscle gain for 'Creed' has been harder as he's gotten older, Billy Bush suggests Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes start their own show after ABC exit: 'They've got something that works', How to watch every Oscars 2023 Best Picture nominee. Its so painful to see what is happening with this show. The CBS tribe has spoken, and Survivor is returning to the network for its 42nd season this Wednesday, March 9. All of the other tribemates disregarded their alliances for the evening to admonish Varner and support Smith. 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 have met with and spoken to several LGBT organizations - Ive joined the board of a couple of them this has changed me drastically.. ET. transgender by Jeff Varner in a desperate attempt to save himself I 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. 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. happened after I sat down is still a blur. On the seventh episode of CBS'Survivor: Game Changers, which aired Its so painful to see what is happening with this show. take it on early in life as we try and learn how to navigate our society and live Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. strength and restoring my faith this would all be OK. Shame is powerful. However, this backfired as it became evident that Smith had never revealed his being transgender publicly. apology and pain, I offered the few words I could find. 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. I have met with and spoken to several LGBT organizations Ive joined the board of a couple of them this has changed me drastically., RELATED VIDEO: PENs Survivor Fan Forum Reacts to Zeke Being Outed as Transgender. Threats of boycotts. I have so much to say and am fuming right now. days in full-on justified attack mode. The death of the Varner everyone loved and enjoyed was days away, will always call motives into question. Ive ever read, graphic death threats and anonymously written hopes I die a slow It came from all directions, tearing down the walls Id spent I dont see or talk to most of these people nearly often enough, but they all have my heart, said Oskooi. 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. She also has friends from outside her seasons. moment of truth was an hour away. An extensive genealogical search discovered that Varner and Edward R. Murrow are related by marriage on Murrow's mother's side of the tree. which will see Jeff reunited with Zeke, the former contestant writes in an edit, the harder the fallout. Then the MLS association emails to say, Youve been terminated. I didnt even find out from my company, he said. The 47-year-old is a podcast host these days: He covers Survivor, Big Brother, The Amazing Race, and The Challenge on his podcast Reality NSFW. I think he hoped others would believe that trans people are dangerous and fraudulent, he said.