I just wanted to go outon an adventure and play a great game.. Keeping your gender history private is not the same as a gay person being in the closet. The only people who need to know are medical professionals and naked fun time friends., Sign up to get Gold Derbys free newsletter Celebrity Engagements of 2022: Stars Who Got Engaged. I needed an adventure, a jolt to my system I needed to change my life and oh boy, did I! said Smith, adding, My outing and the attention it received, and the platform I gained radically changed my lifes trajectory. I've got some wonderful people in my life that have helped me through this moment. Dalton Ross. You exit to the left, into the darkness, what I called The Abyss. You don't see Zeke saying, "There is no deception. Ironically, out of all the people at that tribal, Sarah and Debbie have been the most supportive by reaching out. Survivor player Jeff Varner was fired from his job as a real estate agent at Allen Tate Realtors on Thursday due to backlash from an episode of the CBS show in which he outed fellow player Zeke Smith as transgender. Varner's not telling the truth. The power was in my hands. I knew part of the reason I was brought back is that Probst liked the way I talked about the game, and the expectation was that I would continue to deliver. To my left was The Abyss. Jeff Varner Felt 'Shame' for Outing Zeke Smith - People In one of the most emotional moments in "Survivor" history, Zeke Smith was outed as transgender in last night's episode by Jeff Varner, who felt that Zeke was using the secret to deceive his. In mid-2018, there started to be rumblings on the celebrity rumor websites claiming that Survivor's Zeke Smith and Superstore's Nico Santos had become a couple. So I held them at arms length. In an interview with Variety, Santos said that they were quarantining together during the pandemic and he is so grateful to have found Smith. Prior to that, the openly gay North Carolina native had worked as news anchor for CBS and Fox affiliates. 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. He was outed as transgender during season 34. I could not have responded in the manner in which I did had he not held the wheel while I got my bearings. I guess everybody knows about my hot little 25 year-old boyfriend 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.. I loved it. Related: These Hollywood Couples Got Engaged, But Never Got Married, Hes just the best. Related: Though Im not particularly religious, I feel passionately that people of faith should not be denied religious ritual or spiritual community because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, and shared what Id learned with Varner over long conversations on the beach. Game Changers was clearly incredible for Zeke, as he revealedon Instagram that he actuallydonated to Sandras Reality Rally campaign and the queen sent him an autographed photo! I didn't even realize I'd done anything wrong. That's when I saw the opening. Was Camille Lamb's Below Deck Salary Worth The Endless Drama She Endured On The Show? He and Hali Ford were both contestants on Survivor: Game Changers. Zeke is in my bottom 10 contestants to ever play. Many trans people don't find it necessary to tell people, especially so long after transition. No one is going to beat me up worse than I have myself.. And I just hope that those kinds of conversations are happening all over the country. In his thirties, hes in a stable relationship with his boyfriend, actor and comedian Nico Santos. Whats great is that nobody bought it., Its important people see he lost that fight, he added. Save. I found it difficult enough to simply put one foot in front of the other. I applied. In a recent interview, two-time Survivor castaway Zeke Smith opened up about his experience on the show, including that he thinks being Jeff Probst's "pet . When Probst snuffs that flame, your life is over. He is also a creative consultant on and contributor to the Netflix documentary Disclosure: Trans Lives on Screen. I just remember I felt two feet tall and everyone was screaming at me and shaming it. READ NEXT: Survivors Jeff Probst Reveals How He Spent Quarantine, One Survivor Blames Jeff Probst For His Downfall, Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. Even if he feels the need to for whatever reason to do it at my expense. Hes the most amazing partner I could have ever dreamed and asked for. Theres no playbook for being trans. The other contestants erupted in outrage, calling. Hollywood Life, Latest Hollywood Celebrity & Entertainment News. For both, trans people make easy targets for those looking to invoke prejudice in order to win votes. Now, another contestant has taken that choice away. The reason for that is at that time both of them had been sharing images on Instagram of the two of them together. In all of the ways that I had gamed out how I would potentially talk about being trans, it was never being so dramatically outed at Tribal Council.. Though Varner has been openly gay for many years, he chose not to discuss his sexual orientation during his first two stints on the show. And emotionally it just came out. Shooting survivor Wilson Garcia looks up to the sky during a vigil on Sunday, April 30, 2023. A month? 2023 The Hollywood Reporter, LLC. Have you spoken to Zeke at all since that tribal council? Oh, haaayyy @nicosantos. In response to Zeke Smiths tweet, Nico Santos published a tweet of his own that played into the joke that they were one of those celebrity couples with a big age gap. Zeke Smith Game Changers Millennials vs. Gen X Contestant Profile Born January 25, 1988 (age 35) Hometown Brooklyn, New York Occupation Asset Manager Social Media Survivor Career Version United States Millennials vs. Gen X Tribe (s) Vanua Vinaka Finish 9/20 Alliance (s) Zeke's Vinaka Alliance Challenge Wins 9 Votes Against 14 Days Lasted 33 Casting called back two hours later, and I began to panic. To adventure is to invite hazard into your life. Why stop now? Clearly, he proved that the first time, since he was brought back for another season. Im so grateful and thankful that hes here with me. See, when I got on a plane to Fiji last March, I expected to get voted out third. "There was a new commander, and he'd been called in to see . An odd sentiment, I realize, for someone who signed up for two seasons of the CBS reality giant, Survivor. We just moved in together a few months ago and we were kinda like, Is it too soon to move in together? But it felt really right and we love it. And hes calling me a bigot and full of hate and all kinds of stuff. I remember the smell of the kerosene in our torches. "Andrea and I knew each other before we played Survivor together. Everything clicked. "But I think it's so great that you see his hateful tactics rebuffed with such amazing love and from such a diverse group that responds to him.". I went on Survivor because my life had grown stagnant. I couldnt believe how well I was doing. Running was not an option. I told myself, Dude, you resolved to never stop playing. Published on April 15, 2017 03:09 PM. He was eliminated on Day 33, but definitely made a huge impact on the game. My biggest concern was that if people knew, their opinion of me would change. When we were in pain and we are in fair, we are dangerous people. To see Smith in the pages of PEOPLE, pick up the latest issue of the magazine, on newsstands now. I am amazed and moved at his ability to do that. On a recent episode of For Real: The Story of Reality TV on E!, Smith reflected on his experience with Survivor and how the show and host Jeff Probst handled his situation. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor has several skills that you can unlock throughout the course of the campaign. In a recent interview, two-time Survivor castaway Zeke Smith opened up about his experience on the show, including that he thinks being Jeff Probsts pet was hugely detrimental to his game the first time around but he liked how much Probst liked him and he couldnt resist those baby blue eyes and dimples. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Oh my God Its too soon! Id made such a believer out of Probst that my second shot came immediately, which meant that I was every bit the player Id dreamed Id be. I cant foresee us sipping martinis together in Fire Island. But he wasnt going to. I could not have responded in the manner in which I did had he not held the wheel while I got my bearings., I dont believe Varner hates trans people, Zeke concludes. As much as I felt for the man, I wasnt giving up my dream for his. No one on my tribe of freewheeling Millennials had any idea how or willingness to build a shelter. I hurt Zeke and that's something that I'll never get over. But forgiveness does not require friendship. I still to this day don't know why. 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. Im tough as nails. So when I was arguing at tribal and I say "I thought everybody knew," I was talking about everybody at home watching. At the conclusion of Tribal, Jeff Varners torch was snuffed. Meet UK's biggest royal superfans ALREADY camped on the Mall I don't even really remember a lot of it. Theres no toilet paper. I gave up caffeine and booze. Debbie, the Woman with an Infinite Number of Jobs, told me about all of her jobs. Im not wild about you knowing that Im trans. But you cannot control the hazards you face, be they repeated misfortune or the harmful actions of others. It's awful. Home Names: Hes been on two seasons of Survivor. I knew it was the right thing to say and the right thing to do. My right leg settled down, but my left still jittered. Zeke has secluded the identity of his family members. I lost many from my life when I transitioned. Zeke has not always gone after his dreams. It's not like I have anything against him as a person, he seems like a super nice guy outside of the show but he just represents everything that I HATE about modern Survivor. Twenty minutes later, before I could scarf a cheeseburger or peel off my rotting boxers, Probst asked if I was up for doing it all over again in two weeks alongside some of the games best players. Tears dried, voices lowered and the attention turned to me to make sense of what happened. Zeke. [Sobbing again.] Once they became aware of those rumors, Santos and Smith took to Twitter to confirm their relationship with a little bit of humor. It helped the healing begin, but it really couldn't start until last night. I lifted weights in the morning, swam at night, and in between acclimated to the heat in the sauna while reading books on mental toughness techniques utilized by endurance athletes. 2023 Gold Derby Media, LLC. No chocolate chip cookies. As bad as this is and as bad as I feel, I'm glad that's what's happened as a part of this. We've been dealing with this since last July and being unable to talk about it has really been the worst. The lights magnified in brightness. I thank God for that and the gift of being an example as to why you should never do what I did.. Here's everything else you need to know about him. Smith said the person Probst called on the least was Sarah Lacina and wouldnt you know it, but she won the game. Transgender 'Survivor' Contestant Zeke Smith Outed on National Television Not then savvy enough to think about the impact my monologues would have on my tribemates egos, I soliloquized and Jeff beamed, and the rest of the cast glowered., He added, Probst had a major crush on me. He walked into the darkness, and the rest of us headed back to camp. So when I go back to camp and am talking to everyone about deception, I wasn't thinking at all about trans. I feared if I let anyone too close, theyd smell my stench and not want to be my friend anymore. But they know me and they know my heart. Were I in the hands of a lesser leader, Im sure questions wouldve been peppered my way before I was ready to receive them. In proclaiming Zeke is not the guy you think he is and that there is deception on levels yall dont understand,Varner is saying that Im not really a man and that simply living as my authentic self is a nefarious trick. Sarah and I spoke last night about the growth in her world. In reality, by being Zeke the dude, I am being my most honest self as is every other transgender person going about their daily lives. My Problem With Zeke : r/survivor. He was known for being a Reality Star. Heres what he had to say. Smith has also found love with one of the stars of Superstore, Nico Santos. You don't see all of that and I understand why you don't, I'm not complaining about the editing at all, but that's what my thinking was: there was no thinking. Thankfully, my tribemates rebuffed his hateful tactics. Then, a single word appeared, the word I couldnt find earlier in the day, the word that encapsulated my 50-plus days on the island: metamorphosis. His studies focused upon Biblical interpretation and LGBTQ-inclusive theology. I thought he deserved to know it would be his last day on the beach. During Zeke's senior year in high school, he ranked at the top 16 in High School Debater. Coconut, by the way, is a natural laxative. I was free. Fire, the flame of your torch, represents your life. Zeke Smith Wiki: Age, Dating, Gay, Nico Santos - wikinetworth The 29-year-old, who made his debut on season 33 last fall and returned for the all-star season 34 in March, was visibly shaken by the revelation. Who Is Zeke Smith? 5 Things About 'Survivor' Star Who Came Out As However, it is important to note that a couple no longer posting photos of themselves together on social media doesnt necessarily mean anything. A persons gender history is private information and it is up to them, and only them, when, how, and to whom they choose to disclose that information, Zeke says in his own words. I am profoundly sorry. The results of the test wouldnt be discreetly mailed back to me; theyd be broadcast to the entire world. Hope that whatever torments his soul will plague him no more. When it comes to Survivor, Zeke Smith is the resident mystery man . My left leg settled and with it the group. Clearly, the stakes are not actually life and death. I love Zeke so much. Even Probst, the most neutral of arbiters, had my back. People think trans people are out there deceiving and theyre predators and theyre hiding in bathrooms and stuff thats just not true. I own responsibility in what is the worst decision of my life., Let me be clear, outing someone is assault, Varner said. News,' 'CNN,' and 'Nightline,' and can be seen frequently on 'Good Morning America.' What was Zeke Smith's birth name? - The Famous Celebrity He called on me constantly. I was not throwing away my shot. Theres no one whose journey resonated with me more than former local network news anchor Jeff Varner. When he said what he said, he changed both of our lives forever. In his twenties, he performed with the Upright Citizens Brigade. Entry updated July 2, 2008. ET. 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. He admitted that he just cant help himself around Probst, he just could not stop talking I see those baby blues and those dimples, and my mouth just falls open.. I just choose to hope from afar, thank you very much. Zeke Smith attends Rising Stars at the GLAAD Media Awards on May 4, 2018 at the New York Hilton. According to News & Record Greensboro, Varner was fired from his job as a real estate agent on Thursday his now-former employer Allen Tate Realtors saying Varner was in the middle of a news story that we dont want anything to do with.. If the first chapter of the Zeke book of my life is about rebuilding from failure, I was well rebuilt. He was like, Were not gonna promote it, were not gonna sensationalize it, Im gonna go to bat for you. He kept every single one of those promises.. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. 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Survivor season 41 begins filming soon with an expected premiere date of late September 2021. Many gay people consider coming out a moment of liberation, because sharing their sexual orientation with the world causes them to be seen more authentically. READ NEXT: One Survivor Alum Has an Epic Idea For a Legends Season, Zeke Smith Reflects On How Jeff Probst & Survivor Handled His Transgender Outing, Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. Meaning, origin and history of the name Zeke - Behind the Name Name Popularity Related Ratings Comments Namesakes. I leapt fearlessly, until I crashed. As the tears began flowing and host Jeff Probst looked gobsmacked, Varner was eventually eliminated by aunanimous verbal vote. What if that person told other people? In his thirties, he's in a stable relationship with his boyfriend, actor and comedian Nico Santos. And there were clues here and there throughout the whole thing. We say things we dont mean. On top of that, once Survivor fans learn that Zeke Smith from the show and Superstores Nico Santos have dated, they want to know if they are still together. First off, Smith jokingly tweeted pretending that the rumor was that he had a 25-year-old boyfriend while tagging Santos. Next: 'Survivor' Zeke Smith Speaks About His Public Outing And How The Show Dealt With It. But in calling me deceptive, Varner invoked one of the most odious stereotypes of transgender people, a stereotype that is often used as an excuse for violence and even murder. It was real. Zeke graduated from Harvard University with a degree in The Study of Religion. I deserve it. All Rights Reserved. zeke smith and hannah shapiro married. He clearly didn't find it necessary . Stop spreading lies! As a result of the fact that Survivor has aired that many seasons, there has been a slew of different people whove gotten the chance to play the popular reality competition game. I just wanted to go out on an adventure and play a great game. There is no deception." I'm A Celeb South Africa fans praise 'survivor-style' vote out as campmates choose who gets the chop . The day after I got voted out, I was on the phone with Jeff Probst and he made a handful of promises to me about how my outing was going to be handled, said Smith. Name Popularity Related Names Related Ratings Comments Namesakes. In mid-2018, there started to be rumblings on the celebrity rumor websites claiming that Survivors Zeke Smith and Superstores Nico Santos had become a couple. Honestly, I held the world at arms length. 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