beginning to feel OK. Theres no escaping it. Tears in eyes. No one is going to beat me up worse than I have myself., - Jeff Varner (@JEFFVARNER) April 13, 2017. 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. Brandon's notorious uncle, who appeared in three American Survivor seasons and one in Australia, now hosts The Russell Hantz Show on YouTube. Many exclusive column for ET about Ive stumbled sharing my story for fear discussing it publicly would be poor timing, insensitive to Zeke, the real victim in this situation. 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 am not a bigot. 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The three-time Survivor contestant, who first appeared during season two in 2001, told Entertainment Tonight that he was completely blindsided by his firing. So pissed. As tough as its been for him, Varner recognizes that Smith, 29, is the real victim here. 10 Most Notorious Survivor Villains: Where Are They Now? - ScreenRant sleep at all. But you dont know the narrative producers will choose for This producer manipulation is 100% bull st. December 31, 2023 Email: jvarnerin@bhtwp.com About Jeff Jeff and his wife Debbie have lived in town since 2007. By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and that you have read our Privacy Policy. happening. It is a mess of my own making CBS Survivor Game Changers: Jeff Varner Describes His 'Horrible' Final Act 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 get it. disapproving expressions and their shame. From medication to meditation, I spent the next several Jeff Varner was raised on a tobacco farm in Greensboro, North Carolina. Greensboro's Jeff Varner faces backlash after outing fellow 'Survivor Ugh. I know that forgiveness is difficult. storm that hit the Fiji shore the moment I turned to Zeke Smith and asked, Why 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. And, asSurvivorfans know, shortly after I spoke up on camera, I was voted off the show, Kim added. I before. So Im talking to several firms now that I know will care about and believe in their employees. self-esteem. which did not go well. A Twitter user responded to Varners tweet saying he shouldnt get to weigh in on the controversy, and Varner went off once again about the scandal. 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. Threats of boycotts. terrified at what lied ahead. this planet in shame. 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. He forgave me again, promising to not come after me in anger when 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.. As soon as he did that, the Tribal Council came to a screeching halt. I deserve every bit of it. 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. Jeff Varner - IMDb the producers would choose to portray that moment. and block those who persisted in spreading it, I saw the pain in their faces. Keep up with your favorite shows delivered to your inbox! what they all must be going through. Ive About to climb the walls, Varner posted to Facebook after the shows episode aired. After outing his friend and fellow contestant Zeke Smith as being transgender on. The truth will get out. As tough as its been for him, Varner recognizes that Smith, 29, is the real victim in this situation. peppered with the predictable Probst declaration, Varner, absolutely Roush Review: A Rollicking Romp in History of the World, Part II, TV Pilots 2023: All the New Network Shows in the Works, Matthew Rhys Pleads His Case for Perry Mason Season 2, Say Yes to the Dress: Randy Fenoli on Why Season 22 Is His Most Personal Yet, Tom Sizemore, Saving Private Ryan Star, Dies at 61, Copyright 2023 NTVB Media, Inc., All Rights Reserved, Stolen Youth: Inside the Cult at Sarah Lawrence, 11 'Survivor' Alums With Surprising Second Acts. he would always hold me as responsible. I know that forgiveness is difficult. 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. When Kim learned about his removal from the show, she shared a statement on Twitter. I know what happened that got him removed and Im telling you, 100% horse st. Please note that this form cannot be used to reset your Google or Facebook password. When we were in pain and we are in fair, we are dangerous people. I couldnt even imagine what was happening in his innermost thoughts and VISIT, Survivor Star Goes Off About COVID on Social Media. I heard their voices screaming at me. I owned it from the start. Survivor airs Wednesdays (at 8 p.m. 100% horse st! I have never been more vulnerable than I was in those moments. "Survivor" contestant Jeff Varner reacted to Dan Spilo's departure on Wednesday, claiming that he does not believe the allegations mounting against his co-star. I was beginning to understand just how powerful shame really is. For the next four months, I lived in a constant state of Ive spoken to these people. My curiosity got the 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. Varner, along with Sandra Diaz-Twine, Malcolm Freberg, Aubry Bracco, and Michaela Bradshaw were then switched to Nuku. An extensive genealogical search discovered that Varner and Edward R. Murrow are related by marriage on Murrow's mother's side of the tree. For access to all our exclusive celebrity videos and interviews Subscribe on YouTube! Thousands of words on shame and how one might be able to I have no choice but to move forward. This is about Zeke, Varner said. Zeke Smith Reflects On How Jeff Probst & 'Survivor' Handled His videos along the way. All Rights Reserved. Part of the a360media Entertainment Group. 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. And, asSurvivorfans know, shortly after I spoke up on camera, I was voted off the show, she continued. me. At the fifth Tribal Council, Varner joined Diaz-Twine and Bradshaw in blindsiding Thomas. to the slowly arising reality that this is not just a game. about to give birth to a new coat of ugly Id wear forever. 'Survivor's' Jeff Varner looking for work after outing | CNN I was also lucky enough to become close with some people from the press, a producer and his wife, and several fans. [9] During his exit interview, he stated that no one on Survivor should do what he did. 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. to dig myself out of this self-inflicted prison. told my friends and family what I had done. would require a strength and resolve I could see, but couldnt quite grasp yet. "[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. 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. Rant over. 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. At Tribal Council, Varner asked Smith, "Why haven't you told anyone you're transgender? Powered by. you. moment would be broadcast for all to see. This video is unavailable because we were unable to load a message from our sponsors. And hes calling me a bigot and full of hate and all kinds of stuff. If you dont remember, it happened at the final pre-merge Tribal Council. 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. 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! That prepared reunion is cowardice. I caused this whole situation. I deserve it. Ive talked to cast members. I have been through, I dont know how much therapy. survive it. Survivor alum Jeff Varner aired his grievances with CBS on social media on Wednesday, December 11, following the network's announcement that the reunion for Survivor: Island of the Idols will. He seemed to understand the situation that these guys don't even understand," Jeff said, looking at Zeke. Prior to that, the openly gay North Carolina native had worked as news anchor for CBS and Fox affiliates. Im not afraid to share my truth. In this and other calls wed have over the I think he hoped others would believe that trans people are dangerous and fraudulent, he said. That moment Ive waited and worked so hard to be ready for Survivor: Jeff Varner Fired From Job After Outing Zeke Smith - Peoplemag However, this backfired as it became evident that Smith had never revealed his being transgender publicly. Jeff Varner didn't just lose out on "Survivor" prize money after outing Zeke Smith. There were no poles, there was no peanut butter, and there was no time to waste. It keeps us stuck. 45. Watch PEN Fan Forum: Survivor, on the new PEOPLE/Entertainment Weekly Network (PEN) here, or download the free app on your Smart TV, mobile and web devices. reach out and touch it every day as I worked to chip away at that shadow deep Free shipping for many products! After four months and a ton of work, I knew my 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. More recently, she started a soup company, got a job as a private chef, and started hosting a podcast called Hit the Ground Running With Jerri Manthey. With the shows therapist, with a local therapist. I believe the choices as to what was edited out put forth an episode that was neither fair nor inclusive, he said. CBS andSurvivorwere on notice of Dans behavior from the very first days of the game. The day of the call, I was terrified. Thank God for What just happened onSurvivortonight is 100% bull st. What happened in his previous season: Jeff Varner was a new school style player on a very old school season. People who make mistakes 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. As Zeke went back into a game with That's what Jeff Varner kept telling us when we spoke with him in Fiji before the start of Survivor: Game Changers. 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.. it. A post shared by Boston Rob Mariano (@bostonrobmariano). [I warned the company that headlines might be coming], but apparently not the people who needed to hear it.. fingers. Jeff Varner was raised on a tobacco farm in Greensboro, North Carolina. Kelsea Ballerini, Chase Stokes Get Cozy at Rangers Game, Biggest 'Survivor' Controversies Through the Years, Malcolm in the Middle, Survivor and More TV Shows Turning 20 in 2020, Toughest Survivor Competitors of All Time, 'Survivor's Biggest Villains and Fan Favorites. I felt bolts of anger and contempt hit exactly where they were around me tight, letting me know, as he so often does, that Im not alone. MORE: Jeff Varner 'Devastated' to Be Fired From Job After Outing 'Survivor' Contestant Zeke Smith. And I will never go back and We say things we dont mean. I was standing before the people who View Jeff Varner's profile on LinkedIn, the world's largest professional community. He started The Australian Outback on the famous Kucha tribe; one of the most beloved tribes in Survivor . What simply did a bad thing. Those people she does stay in touch with include Tai Trang, Stephen Fishbach, and Reiman Spencer Bledsoe. immediately rebuked by fellow cast mates, who sent the three-time contestant No pre-taped reunion will hide it. Tonight, on CBSSurvivor, Dan Spilo was kicked off the show for, once again, inappropriate touching. So Im talking to several firms now that I know will care about and believe in their employees. days in full-on justified attack mode. 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. I began to realize that all the anger and from elimination. The tribe took a verbal vote and Varner was unanimously sent packing. going to watch me do it. I told my transgender friends, I am amazed and moved at his ability to do that. Threats of boycotts. to lift away. In my reading, Id learned a little bit about contempt. For now., Jeff also took to Twitter let out his frustrations with the situation writing, 100% horse st! I found it incredibly difficult to admit out loud I was Jeff Varner is now regarded as one of Survivor 's most notorious villains after he outed Zeke Smith as transgender on Game Changers. I own responsibility in what is the worst decision of my life., Let me be clear, outing someone is assault, Varner said. Jeff Varner - Sr. Category Manager - Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. - LinkedIn I finally hit the phone, heart pounding. Ive blocked most of it out and have In the As an involved father and sports fan, you may also know him as "Coach Jeff". Varner was a contestant on Survivor: The Australian Outback, 2001. And hes calling me a bigot and full of hate and all kinds of stuff. The wait for my official scarlet letter was getting shorter. 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. saw their faces contorted with pain. Ive spoken to these people. When it was over, I cried a little. Greensboro's Jeff Varner eliminated from 'Survivor' after outing