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. Debbie Wanner, who had recently been exiled, took her place on Nuku. In the future, I have a plan. He is often referred to as the shows first villain. Multiple Survivor alums, including Russell Hantz and Parvati Shallow, also spoke out in opposition. Days after Don . I plan to align myself with the big threats. Part of the a360media Entertainment Group. Survivor fans have been in uproar after Wednesday night's episode watch the shocking situation unfold here. You don't see the conversation I had with Ozzy where he told me he was in an alliance with Zeke and Andrea. As a superfan, playing in two seasons was a dream come true. #Survivor.. Additionally, he studied martial arts, receiving a black belt in Tae Kwon Do when he was 15 years old. But right now, I'm just devastated at what I've done to him and his family. Kimmi Kappenberg accidentally gave away the vote he had against him during the Episode Two Reward Challenge, according to the special commentary section of the Survivor: Australia DVD. YouTube Jeff described Zeke as deceptive and then turned to Zeke in front of the council and said, Why havent you told anyone here youre transgender?, His actions backfired and led to his immediate elimination. 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. Jeff Varner Calls Out CBS for Pretaped 'Survivor' Reunion - Us Weekly Despite this, the attention shifted to the continued infighting between Abi-Maria and Peih-Gee, handing the power to Andrew and Tasha. Stephanie Petit is a Royals Writer and Reporter at PEOPLE. How will you play differently this time? He has an estimated net worth of $5 Million. His favorite television show is Sex and the City while his favorite feature films are Coal Miner's Daughter and The Matrix. I have to rely on the fact that the people who truly know me and love me know that. Richard appeared on season 1 of Survivor, where he was crowned the shows first winner. Its so painful to see what is happening with this show. [6] 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. - Age I forgive him for that. Richard appeared on the Drop Your Buffs podcast in February 2022, and the former castaway had some not-so-nice things to say about TV personality Jeff Probst. 'Survivor' Contestant Zeke Smith Outed as Transgender by Fellow Castaway Jeff Varner This video is unavailable because we were unable to load a message from our sponsors. He continually forgives me. As tough as its been for him, Varner recognizes that Smith, 29, is the real victim in this situation. I recklessly revealed something I mistakenly believed everyone already knew. 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. I couldn't even think about me and my life for months after it was over with. var js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; Varner, along with Diaz-Twine and Bradshaw, blindsided Thomas at the fifth Tribal Council. That is a giant leap of logic., RELATED VIDEO: Zeke Smith on Jeff Varner Outing Him as Transgender on TV I Really Struggle With Forgiving Him, At that point, Varner began to backtrack: Im just trying everything that I can, he said. I just want to make sure nobody in this world ever does what I did. The truth will get out. Facebook: thebiographyscoop I have action. Wigler: And where do you want to start with that? What Im showing is a deception, started Smith but the rest of the tribemates quickly fired back. 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. 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. Survivor: Jeff Varner Fired From Job After Outing Zeke Smith - People I didn't know who Zeke was. Jeff Varner is an internet project manager, having most recently worked as Director of People and Process for a Manhattan start-up company. On May 20, the results revealed that both Varner and Kappenberg from The Australian Outback were voted to return. It's very difficult to live with. EXCLUSIVE: Jeff Varner's Former Employer Speaks Out on 'Survivor I have so much to say and am fuming right now. Zeke apologized for leaving Jeff out of the Sandra vote and promised to be honest with him moving forward, with plans of reaching the Final Tribal Council together. Smith finally spoke up, quietly admitting that in the two seasons hes played the game, hes never told anyone that he is transgender. A thorough genealogical investigation revealed that Varner and Edward R. Murrow are related by marriage on Murrows mothers side of the family tree. Jeff Probst considered a Survivor idea where players won a celebrity as CBS andSurvivorwere on notice of Dans behavior from the very first days of the game. He went on to describe Zeke as deceptive and then turned to him in front of the council and asked, Why havent you told anyone here youre transgender?, His tactic backfired and led to his removal immediately. He, along with Sandra Diaz-Twine, Malcolm Freberg, Aubry Bracco, and Michaela Bradshaw, were switched to Nuku after the first tribe switch. It was revealed that Jeff was fired from his job as a real estate agent after the episode where he outed Zeke aired because of all the controversy. What just happened onSurvivortonight is 100% bull st. Robert Voets/CBS 'Survivor' host Jeff Probst. But the bigger consideration was Where is the show now? and Do these 20 winners represent the show today? In that sense, we didnt feel that Rich fit into the equation.. I know you're not that person. Jeff told me at Tribal: "Varner, I've known you for 20 years. He doesnt understand the game., Richard didnt stop there. "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. The cast is not happy. In Game Changers, Jeff aligned with Michaela Bradshaw and Sandra Diaz-Twine early on, with the alliance taking control of the Mana and Nuku tribes. Horrible. You don't have a hateful bone in your body." [] Ive talked to cast members. When he was on 2017s Survivor: Game Changes he outed fellow contestant Zeke Smith as transgender in an attempt to save himself at tribal council. Ugh. Not at all. On Day 7, a Tribe Switch occurred that split the tribes from two to three. I kept going back to Samoa and Heroes vs Villains. 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. They love Dan. Both Varner and Diaz-Twine voted for Trang at Tribal Council, but the rest of the tribe voted against Diaz-Twine, sending her out of the game for the first time in her Survivor career. I know that forgiveness is difficult. What are you most proud of from the last time? We would like to show you a description here but the site won't allow us. [I warned the company that headlines might be coming], but apparently not the people who needed to hear it.. Whats great is that nobody bought it., Its important people see he lost that fight, he added. ", He used that background to transition into web development, working in developing web properties for Citibank, MCI, Harlequin Romance, and Martha Stewart Living Online. In May 2007, Jeff left FOX 8 due to what he called "angry and unprofessional management" from the station's news director. Jeff Varner Biography, Age, Height, Wife, Net Worth, Family It came in the midst of an already tense Tribal Council, with Varner insisting that he was tryingto expose Zeke's ability to "deceive" the other players,not out somebody on national television. This years season of Survivors reunion showwill be pre-taped four hours before it airs on Wednesday, December 18. When Russell showed up in Samoa, when he did what he did in his season he was horrible, evil, hateful, everybody hated him just a mean nasty person and he turns right around and goes to Heroes vs Villains. The day finishes with a jog, a shower, a bottle of Merlot, a ruthless game of backgammon, and great sex. The message should be clear that hate will always lose.. 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. The Survivor host has stood up for LGBTQIA+ contestants in the past. But the most important thing is Zeke forgave me. No pre-taped reunion will hide it. 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. He went to Southern Guilford High School, where he was involved in student government and theatre arts, as well as the yearbook editor; he later earned a journalism degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. That's the hardest part for me to swallow today. Richard isnt the only Survivor alum who feels this way. I love him. After Abi-Maria Gomes felt ostracized by the new school alliance fighting and making fun of her, they pulled Abi-Maria into the old school alliance, giving them the majority. Jeff went on to say that he didnt feel comfortable having Richard on the show, given his background. His friends have harassed me all night long. I wasn't in control in that moment. 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. Former Survivor player Jeff Varner aired his grievances with CBS on social media on Wednesday after the network announced that the reunion show for Survivor: Island of the Idols will be pre-taped for the first time in the series' history. And I think stupid bathroom bills and things like that, especially in the state of North Carolina it's not about bathrooms. He was given a formal warning from production at day 22. Many fans praised Jeff for his commitment to inclusivity, but Richard isnt convinced the gesture was sincere. That whole deception card was not about trans. The castaways colored in the books and signed their autographs in it, and after the show, he sold the pictures on eBay to raise money for charities.[5]. 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). Jeff Varner | Survivor Wiki | Fandom On February 8, 2017, it was revealed that Varner was one of 20 contestants who would be competing on Survivor: Game Changers, the show's 34th season. 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. More Local News I can only profusely apologize. 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. 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. Jeff Probst spoke to Us Weekly in January 2020 about Richards absence. They love Dan. All of that is edited out. They are pre-taping the reunion because cast members plan to publicly support Dan and call out producers. My ability to control a volatile group of people and be the determining factor as to who went home on the first two boots. 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. Just grab your torch.. 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.. Not directly. Varner and Diaz-Twine stayed on Nuku after the second tribe switch, but were left out of the alliance formed by newcomers Ozzy Lusth, Andrea Boehlke, Tai Trang, Sarah Lacina, and Zeke Smith.