When I came home, I immediately went to my trans friends and I sat them down and I said, "Here's what I did. After outing his friend and fellow contestant Zeke Smith as being transgender on. That reasoning is infinitely worse than him outing me because its the same one used to discriminate against, attack and murder trans people. It robs a strong, courageous person of their power and protection and opens them up to discrimination and danger. Zeke is a wonderful man and I will forever be amazed and inspired by his forgiveness and compassion. Its not excusing what happened. I was arguing to everyone at tribal that there was this secret alliance and that they were all being deceived. I think the response from the tribe, as it so often does, mirrors what the vast majority of society will feel. When we were in pain and we are in fair, we are dangerous people. Ive had to think a lot about what forgiveness is. Do you regret that move, or does it tie into what you just said about making big moves?Zeke: Well, I think it does relate to wanting to make big moves. 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. After reliving Wednesday night's emotional Survivor: Game Changers episode, Zeke Smith is proud of the way he responded to being outed as transgender by fellow contestant Jeff Varner. The Eliza Dushku-starring 2003 horror film was followed by six other movies, with two more planned. And you can sit on your butt and get voted out, or you can play and get voted out. Survivor is back in production now. When we were in pain and we are in fair, we are dangerous people. , Varner said he will never get over what he did. We're both New Yorkers. And emotionally it just came out. This is about Zeke, Varner said. I give him every inch of every room to feel and experience what hes feeling. I wrote that statement out of my own heart. Survivor: Jeff Probst on why Jeff Varner situation hurt Zeke's game The three-time Survivor contestant, who first appeared during season two in 2001, told Entertainment Tonight that he was completely blindsided by his firing. My friends are here tonight and they were there with me that night [when the episode aired], and my friends are a big part of my family. They're pretty incredible. 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. I do not believe transgender people are deceptive. You told me it would: 'Prepare yourself,' and it was really ugly for a period of time. I couldn't apologize enough. Who comes on a reality show not once but twice with a secret like that and nobody knows? 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. He has been working at the brand since 2016, and is the author of the No. Club, the Critics Choice and Television Critics Association member has appeared on 'Today,' 'Extra!,' 'Access Hollywood,' 'E! I didn't know what the reaction was going to be," Smith said. My brain had to rewind and play it back. I think they did a good job with what they had to work with, but it's just very difficult. Survivor fans were shocked and appalled after contestant Jeff Varner outed his tribemate, Zeke Smith, as transgender in an attempt to paint him as "deceitful" on Wednesday's episode of the CBS reality competition. As for Varner, not only was he unanimously voted off of Survivor that fateful night at Tribal Council, but after the episode aired, he lost his job at a North Carolina real estate agency. ', unanimously voted out of the game by his tribemates. So when I was arguing at tribal and I say "I thought everybody knew," I was talking about everybody at home watching. Andrea got me and it was smart. Zeke Smith has spent eight months figuring out how to forgive Jeff Varner for outing him as transgender on Wednesdays shocking and emotional episode of Survivor. I have apologized to him weve spoken several times on the phone. 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Why Survivor's Zeke Smith Wanted CBS to Air the Moment He Got Outed as So I said yes and tried to do what I could to study up on returning players and figure out what I'd done wrong and what I'd done right. And they have nothing but love and support for,eand Im grateful for that., Theyve got two kids who are in the middle of this and they need to choose one or the other, he added. Physically, how much harder was this season, having just played one not too long ago?Zeke: Well, the decision to play look, I got my torch snuffed in Season 33, and I did my final interview to camera and looked over my right shoulder, and Jeff Probst was there and said "Come here," and asked me back. Zeke is a wonderful man and I will forever be amazed and inspired by his forgiveness and compassion. That's not the kind of player I am. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. And I think it's not just that I would have a compelling story. Thats personal!, Varner attempted to defend himself, claiming that he argues for the rights of transgender people every day in the state of North Carolina and would never say or do anything to hurt anyone here., Outing somebody you just outed him! shouted Trang in outrage. We were in Fiji for four months, for a third of the year -- which is a pretty crazy wrench to throw in your life. I thank God for that and the gift of being an example as to why you should never do what I did.. Was there any part of you that thought what Varner did would impact your chances of winning, and make people not want to take you to the end because you'd be a shoo-in for the million dollars?Zeke: Yeah, I felt pretty instantly that my shot to win was toast, precisely because everyone knew that if I got to the end, I would have a compelling story. (Photo by Jeffrey Neira/CBS Entertainment) I own responsibility in what is the worst decision of my life., Let me be clear, outing someone is assault, Varner said. I have apologized to him weve spoken several times on the phone. Bret and I are really good friends. RELATED VIDEO: PENs Survivor Fan Forum Reacts to Zeke Being Outed as Transgender. Follow the Texas Native at @PatrickGomezLA wherever your media is social for all things 'For All Mankind' 'Top Chef,' and puppy related. Zeke Smith and Jeff Varner Reunite at 'Survivor' Reunion Show -- See The Cast of 'Mighty Morphin Power Rangers': Where Are They Now? But we were in touch with the producer on the beach that night to just ensure everything was going okay. "Why haven't you told anyone that you're transgender?" This just happened. We didn't know who Zeke was when he showed up. Is there anything else you want to say about that Tribal?Zeke: For me, I think what continues to stand out is the reaction of my tribemates. I also think Andrea's rage towards me colors that story. My conscience is in pain. 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. Any final thoughts on this season?Zeke: Just that the people who make Survivor are really incredible. 'Survivor' Contestant Fired From Job After Transgender Outing If he wants to take swings at me, Im the one to hand him the bat. Dave Quinn is a Senior Editor for PEOPLE. What went into writing that? Each week host Jeff Probst will answer a few questions about the most recent episode of Survivor: Game Changers. Suddenly my real estate license was inactive and my current clients [were] left in the dark. Youre saying there is no line: If Im desperate enough, I will do or say anything. , Its a game for $1 million, and I clearly have made the wrong choice tonight, responded Varner. Do you have any regrets about your game this time around?Zeke: I don't have any regrets. I cannot imagine anyone thinking what was done to Zeke was okay on any level, under any circumstances, and certainly not simply because there was a million dollars on the line. I was surprised to see Michaela burst into tears once the votes were read. "I'm not afraid to share my truth. Survivor's Zeke Smith: I Can't Forgive Jeff Varner for Outing Me as I was wrong and make no excuses for it. It was like, all right, what are you going to do? Here's what happened and it was ugly it was so unfortunate." The message should be clear that hate will always lose.. Witnessing that moment was so powerful because from my seat at Tribal, I could see it all. Jeff Varner Bio, Age, Gay, Survivor, Real Estate, Zeke, Australian And then the other concern was Jeff Varner. People think trans people are out there deceiving and they're predators and they're hiding in bathrooms and stuff that's just not true. I am profoundly sorry. "Survivor" star Zeke Smith spoke to Andy Cohen about being outed as a transgender man during a 2017 episode of the show. It was one of the most surreal moments I've ever encountered on the show. News,' 'CNN,' and 'Nightline,' and can be seen frequently on 'Good Morning America.' It was as if he had been preparing for this absolutely unpredictable, completely public, and incredibly vulnerable moment for his entire life. TV Show network CBS genre Reality Each week host Jeff Probst will answer a few questions about the most recent episode of Survivor: Game Changers. I just remember I felt two feet tall and everyone was screaming at me and shaming it. I knew the six people in front of us didn't know and so it just when it dawned on me that nobody knew at home and he's not out and that I am the reason he is now out, I just came unglued. I hurt Zeke, he said. Zeke Smith has spent eight months figuring out how to forgive Jeff Varner for outing him as transgender on Wednesday's shocking and emotional episode of . Zeke unwittingly became the headline of the Game Changers season a few weeks ago, when he was publicly outed as transgender by his tribemate Jeff Varner at the Tribal Council where Varner was voted out. Thats personal you didnt have to do that! said Andrea Boehlke, starting to tear up. On Wednesday night, Survivor fans saw one of the show's most raw, emotional, and "real" moments yet: Jeff Varner outed his Nuku tribemate Zeke Smith as trans. There were two people who flipped on Andrea: me and Sarah Lacina. Pictured (L-R): Karla Cruz Godoy, Mike 'Gabler' Gabler, Owen Knight, Cody Assenmacher, Jesse Lopez, Cassidy Clark and Sami Layadi.
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