Here's what happened and it was ugly it was so unfortunate." Formerly at People magazine and The A.V. My biggest concern was that if people knew, their opinion of me would change. I think the editing was good. In his youth, Zeke dabbled in musical theater. 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. Zeke has commented on this himself before. People think trans people are out there deceiving and theyre predators and theyre hiding in bathrooms and stuff thats just not true. Hope that whatever torments his soul will plague him no more. Casting called back two hours later, and I began to panic. My right leg settled down, but my left still jittered. A week? Like, you know when youre thinking of your dream boyfriend? Varner took to Twitter on Wednesday evening to issue a lengthy apology. I hurt Zeke and that's something that I'll never get over. From there, however, Santos poured water on the idea of getting engaged so early but he still seemed very open to the idea at some point. Zeke Smith didn't want to be known as the "first transgender Survivor star.". I found it difficult enough to simply put one foot in front of the other. Why stop now? Here are some of facts to know about Survivor contestant, Zeke Smith. 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. It was real. 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. He called on me constantly. I solved puzzles and tied and untied knots. Club, the Critics Choice and Television Critics Association member has appeared on 'Today,' 'Extra!,' 'Access Hollywood,' 'E! The rest of the tribe exits to the right, back to camp with a renewed lease on life. He is also a creative consultant on and contributor to the Netflix documentary Disclosure: Trans Lives on Screen. I've been crying all day and that's not something I want to do. An odd sentiment, I realize, for someone who signed up for two seasons of the CBS reality giant, Survivor. I wanted the jury for him. This was Varners third shot and likely his last. 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.. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. I leapt fearlessly, until I crashed. Early life. Varner and I connected quickly. However, once those same two people have been together for a long time, they may not feel the need to post about their relationship all of the time anymore. Zeke Varner talks to Zeke, Survivors Jeff Probst Reveals How He Spent Quarantine. Meaning, origin and history of the name Zeke - Behind the Name With over two decades worth of episodes, Survivor has evolved in countless ways. This is how 'Survivor' star Zeke Smith met 'Superstore's' Nico Santos and where their relationship stands in 2022. The moment I put that buff, the official Survivor player uniform, on my head, my confidence became real. Thats why we asked him back to play a second time.. I remember the smug smirk on his face and the gleam in his eye when he turned to me and snarled, Why havent you told anyone that youre transgender? We've been dealing with this since last July and being unable to talk about it has really been the worst. I think they did a good job with what they had to work with, but it's just very difficult. We make easy targets. We didn't have the luxury of watching his first season. What if that person told other people? Beyond his charm and charisma, I thought I recognized a deep-seated insecurity and self-loathing, a glimpse at who I could become were I not careful. Many trans people don't find it necessary to tell people, especially so long after transition. In the past, Matthews work has been published by Cracked.com, Watchmojo, The Richest, The Talko, The Sportster, and The Things among others. 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. I am and always have been the guy who tries to be teachers pet or in Survivors case, Probsts Pet, said Smith. 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. Deadline Media, Get our free, urgent prediction updates and news, Emmy Noms Predictions Odds: All Star Users, Leaderboards: See All Past Prediction Accuracy Scores, Leaderboards: Best Prediction Accuracy Scores for Film, TV and Music Awards, Leaderboards: Best TV Show Predictions by Gold Derby Users, Find a User or Expert / Download Gold Derbys Free, New App, Watch our video interviews with top awards contenders: directors, producers, below-the-line artisans and , Watch our lively predictions slugfests with Experts and Editors, Sign up to get Gold Derbys free newsletter. First off, Smith jokingly tweeted pretending that the rumor was that he had a 25-year-old boyfriend while tagging Santos. Published on April 15, 2017 03:09 PM. We have to acknowledge that humanity and their dignity and lift up their voices and never reduce them to the disgusting things all these bigots do and all these people who just dont know and are acting out of fear. Stop spreading lies! 71% Rating. Jeff Probst looked me square in the eyes and snuffed my torch, extinguishing my life in the game. 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. It wasn't something I went to tribal intending to use. And it is in that same spirit of ridiculousness that I honestly tell you I would not change a single element of the story Im about to relay, for I loved my adventure and cannot wait to embark upon the next. Im not wild about you knowing that Im trans. For both, trans people make easy targets for those looking to invoke prejudice in order to win votes. Hes definitely an old soul. Zeke has not always gone after his dreams. Zeke Smith, a "Survivor" contestant who was outed as transgender on the show in 2017, recently reflected on his experience, stating that he would have been less accepted if he were a Black. After 18 days starving and competing with me, they knew exactly the man I am, and after that Tribal Council, we all knew exactly the man Varner is., Join the live Survivor debate going on right now in our world-famous forums. That's when I saw the opening. A month? But there was this pesky little voice in the back of my mind persistently whispering, Survivor,so I created these challenges quizzes, I suppose, to acquire the fortitude necessary to play the game. The world possesses no greater test of wit and grit than Survivor at least thats what I believe, but Im a pretty ridiculous individual, which is why, when seeking to radically change my life and test the depths of my manhood, I picked a reality show instead of something actually noble, like joining the Peace Corps. Indeed. Survivorhad spun out of control. Thankfully, my tribemates rebuffed his hateful tactics. Survivor airs on Wednesdays at 8PM on CBS. I think you saw me say on the show that this was not about this game. We shattered stereotypes. "Trans people are a highly vulnerable population. On February 17th, 2022, GLAAD tweeted asking their followers to give them feedback. respond to this tweet with a gif of your fave LGBTQ television character In response, Zeke Smith posted a gif of his Nico Santos character from Superstore. My Problem With Zeke : r/survivor. ', 'Harry Potter' Actress Evanna Lynch Weighs in on J.K. Rowling Backlash: 'Give Her More Grace', 'Harry Potter' Franchise Seemingly Introduces Its First Trans Character in New 'Diverse' Video Game, Who Is Sean McVay's Wife? I could not have responded in the manner in which I did had he not held the wheel while I got my bearings. None of which were ventures Id have chosen earlier in my life. Asset manager from New York who became a national name as a reality television contestant on the long-running seriesSurvivorin 2017. Survivor is back in production now. Varner's not telling the truth. My heart broke for him. I told him he was going home. 'Survivor' castaway Zeke Smith opens up about being - GoldDerby I was desperate and I was looking for a way out. Zeke Origin and Meaning The name Zeke is both a boy's name and a girl's name of Hebrew origin meaning "God strengthens". But, if were being perfectly honest with one another, Ive struggled with that forgiveness in the months following. 2023 Gold Derby Media, LLC. Not even Beyonce herself couldve tempted me out of the rain and mud and back into my soft Brooklyn bed. My rookie season, Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X, instantly proved challenging. Of course, money isnt the only thing that matters which is why a lot of people are interested in the love lives of their favorite former Survivor players. I just sat down and wrote it one day. It was never my intention. I still to this day don't know why. Zeke - Baby Name Meaning, Origin, and Popularity | Nameberry 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. What went into writing that? I thought of his family and his friends watching that moment I'm sad. Zeke seems to take more offense to the reasoning you presented about transgender people than he did about you outing him. with experts latest predictions and breaking news, Theres no playbook for being trans, Zeke continues. Id return home, laugh at my misadventure, and go about my life, casually trans in the same way that Zac Efron is casually Jewish. Zeke Smith, who appeared on back-to-back seasons of the reality series, was revealed to be a transgender man by fellow contestant Jeff Varner in an episode that aired Wednesday night. After graduating and moving to New York, no one knew me or saw me as anything other than Zeke, which was tremendously liberating my whole life, I desired my manhood to be known without question or qualification. [Sobbing] My God, I'm crying. Strategically, I initially found myself the low man on the totem pole. It helped the healing begin, but it really couldn't start until last night. We've got to stop that. I threw myself into preparation. Ever since being on the show together,Hannah Shapiro and Zeke are seriously BFFs. I saw a pain, a brokenness in his eyes that felt all too familiar a longing for the spotlight, but a desire to remain unseen. 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. He spends most his time writing half-hour and feature comedy scripts (holler at him for samples staff me up! 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. See, when I got on a plane to Fiji last March, I expected to get voted out third. But instead of flying dragons with Daenerys Targaryen, Mother of Dragons, I trailed Ozzy, Master of Spear Fishing, out to the reef, dove down and watched him catch fish. 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Our tribe proved unable to unscramble a word, metamorphosis, losing the Immunity Challenge and sending us to Tribal Council. : Who will win Survivor: Game Changers? The numbers were not in his favor, but they were in mine, and I was excited to be on a tribe with him. Survivor airs Wednesdays (at 8 p.m. I wrote that statement out of my own heart. What if that person told other people?, Zeke first played on last seasons Millennials vs. Gen X, where he made it all the way to Day 33. While he was technically a Millennial, he admitted in his interview and multiple times throughout the season that he never felt like one.. With the shows therapist, with a local therapist. To see Smith in the pages of PEOPLE, pick up the latest issue of the magazine, on newsstands now. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. There was one post-merge Tribal where, I swear, he called on me every other person. Zeke was outed as trangender by fellow contestant Jeff . If anything needs cleaning, it gets cleaned with sand and saltwater. 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. Roger Duane "Zeke" Smith (September 29, 1936 - July 22, 2016) was an American football player in the National Football League for the Baltimore Colts and the New York Giants. Zeke Smith outed as transgender on 'Survivor' - CNN 2023 The Hollywood Reporter, LLC. I could let this be one of the worst moments of my life or one of the greatest. I've talked to Zeke on the phone several times and that's been really helpful and healthy. I sat up straight. Shooting survivor Wilson Garcia looks up to the sky during a vigil on Sunday, April 30, 2023. On top of that, the fact that there have never been any rumors about Santos and Smith going their separate ways makes it probable that they are still happy together. The double whammy of major depression and transitioning blasted away my confidence. While that certainly isnt proof that Smith and Santos are still together since they could still be friends after splitting, it makes it seem more likely they remain a couple. Updated Aug 22, 2021 at 11:09am. His move, which caused outrage and backlash, not only cost the 50-year-old three-time player to be unanimously voted out of the game by his tribemates but it also cost him his real-life job. Just the dirt and the hunger and the honor of another day playing the worlds greatest game. After Nico Santos and Zeke Smith confirmed their relationship, there was a Superstore Academy For Your Consideration Event that was held in March of 2019. Time Magazine said, "Zeke Smith made a huge impact," and, "educated many viewers that traditional activists cannot reach.". Fire, the flame of your torch, represents your life. I ordered a bundle of bamboo poles and practiced making fire on the roof of my apartment building. Better to have acquaintances than no one at all. Smith said it was terrifying to think about being aired on national television, but host Jeff Probst stepped up and reassured him that the show would handle it respectfully. Now I could just play. He appeared on both Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X and Survivor: Game Changers. Zeke Smith was outed as transgender by fellow contestant Jeff Varner in a shocking episode of Survivor: Game Changers on Wednesday, April 12, 2017. That woman knows how to play, and part of playing to win is keeping your trap shut around Probst, said Smith, adding, What Ive learned is that I do not have the right personality to be a successful Survivor player. Zeke has not always gone after his dreams. "Andrea and I knew each other before we played Survivor together. But you cannot control the hazards you face, be they repeated misfortune or the harmful actions of others. What has the reaction been from other Survivor contestants? I give him every inch of every room to feel and experience what hes feeling. Some are . "I'm not wild about you knowing that I'm trans," two-time show player Zeke Smith writes for THR about this week's episode. All About Veronika Khomyn, Christina Hall's Husband Josh Reveals He Was a Police Officer for 16 Years Before Being Injured in Line of Duty, 'We're Here' Drag Star Eureka O'Hara Comes Out as Trans: 'I Know Who I Am Without Question', Ricky Gervais Slammed for 'Bigot Comedy' About Trans People in New Netflix Special, unanimously voted out of the game by his tribemates. I told myself, Dude, you resolved to never stop playing. At the conclusion of Tribal, Jeff Varners torch was snuffed. He played college football at Auburn University where he was awarded the Outland Trophy in 1958. He continually forgives me. Gold Derby is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Zeke Smith - Bio, Personal Life, Family & Cause Of Death - CelebsAges If the first chapter of the Zeke book of my life is about rebuilding from failure, I was well rebuilt. I was not throwing away my shot. As the tears began flowing and host Jeff Probst looked gobsmacked, Varner was eventually eliminated by aunanimous verbal vote. I have apologized to him weve spoken several times on the phone. One member of the tribe must be sacrificed each visit. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. The editing doesn't show that Ozzy when it was all said and done and I said, "I'm done. 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. 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Varner, who. Adaptation of U.K. Late Night Show Mock the Week for Amazon Freevee, Donald Trump to Return to CNN for Primetime Town Hall Event, Gay U.S. Marine Drama From Norman Lear a Go at Netflix, TV Premiere Dates 2022: The Complete Guide, Broadcast TV Unscripted Scorecard 2022: Whats New, Renewed and Canceled, TV Pilots 2022: The Complete Broadcast Guide, The Definitive Voice of Entertainment News. Entry updated July 2, 2008. That reasoning is infinitely worse than him outing me because its the same one used to discriminate against, attack and murder trans people. In oneof the most emotional moments in Survivorhistory,Zeke Smith was outed as transgender in last nights episode by Jeff Varner, who felt that Zeke was using the secret to deceive his fellow castaways. Do Not Sell. In high school, he proved a championship policy debater. A lot. What was appropriate? He was out to some people especially people who've known him a long time, as they could have been there throughout his transition, but other people had no idea. I mulled over all the scenarios to save him, but each required me to significantly jeopardize my position. If the pattern holds, it should be premiering its 41st season the third or fourth week of September 2021. In 2018, he was on hand to accept the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Reality Program on behalf of Survivor: Game Changers, saying in his speech how important representation is on TV. During Zeke's senior year in high school, he ranked at the top 16 in High School Debater. I just wanted to go out on an adventure and play a great game. I recklessly revealed something I mistakenly believed everyone already knew. ', Zeke Smith accepts GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Reality Program, At GLAAD's Rising Stars Luncheon at the 29th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York on May 4th, Zeke Smith accepted the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Reality Program on behalf of Survivor: Game Changers, and delivered inspirational remarks to an audience of LGBTQ young people and influencers. 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. As tough as its been for him, Varner recognizes that Smith, 29, is the real victim here. I just choose to hope from afar, thank you very much. He recently reflected on that experience. 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. 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 . Zeke Smith regrets being Probst's "pet. He was known for being a Reality Star. 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. And to see that it is very bright.. Growing up in London, Ontario, Canada, Matthew developed a love for storytelling that he loves to share with others through his writing. 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. 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. Were I in the hands of a lesser leader, Im sure questions wouldve been peppered my way before I was ready to receive them. He is most well-known for his innovative gamesmanship and witty storytelling on Survivor: Millennials vs GenX and Survivor: Game Changers. You can only control how you respond. And emotionally it just came out. Theres no special dispensation for a traumatic Tribal. We have to acknowledge that humanity and their dignity and lift up their voices and never reduce them to the disgusting things all these bigots do and all these people who just don't know and are acting out of fear. I honestly probably wouldnt have survived these past few weeks without him, said Santos, who lost his stepfather to COVID in early 2020. I couldve made a clean break for it, but I knew there was no running from what had happened. I went from someone who very few people knew to be trans to one of the most visible transgender men in the world (which says more about trans mens visibility than it does about me). Just opening yourself up and being honest and genuine helps wash that shame away and it's just been so beneficial to me. During that time, he said hes done a lot of growing. 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.. Oz characters, short forms, Survivor greats, The West Wing characters, Xeno characters. AP Photo/David J. Phillip Police were called five times before Friday's deadly mass shooting in Texas . But, the harsh elements merely play backdrop to a complex game of social politics dominated by secret alliances, hidden advantages and each cutthroat players ability to befriend and betray any who stand in their way. Buck up and make this OK.. I excelled in challenges, proving myself adept in the water and a master at puzzles. As someone who is not readily perceived to be trans, I possess a great deal of privilege, both because I can control well, used to control who knows my gender history, and also because I dont experience the same type of discrimination, or even violence, that more visible trans people face especially trans women of color. Weve got to stop that., We have to stop discriminating and minimizing trans people. Running was not an option. I think he hoped others would believe that trans people are dangerous and fraudulent, he said. I came to fear discomfort and risk taking on the off chance that I might fail again. After 34 seasons, Survivor is far from the cute little social experiment it began as in the summer of 2000. All Rights Reserved. News,' 'CNN,' and 'Nightline,' and can be seen frequently on 'Good Morning America.' Smith was famously outed as being transgender by tribemate Jeff Varner during Game Changers, but he told Entertainment Weekly he still doesnt regret going on the show. Playing Survivor well means knowing when to play fast and when to play slow, but deep into the game I was having so much fun playing fast that I laid on the gas. No one on my tribe of freewheeling Millennials had any idea how or willingness to build a shelter. I cannot think of a time in my life when I was happier, more fulfilled and more at peace with myself. Dalton Ross. We're attacked a lot and I expected a lot more from Varner," Smith, 29, has told PEOPLE exclusively. Was Tamra Judge Ever Friends With Teresa Giudice Before Their Brutal Fight On Real Housewives Of Orange County? 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 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. They know my soul and they know that's not who I am. Heres How It Can Help You Nab Your Next Job, Why Camila Banus (Gabi) Is Exiting Days of Our Lives After 13 Years. Zeke. Related: 10 Real Life Partners Of The Cast Of NBC's 'Superstore'. 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. The Hollywood Reporter is a part of Penske Media Corporation. That's when Zeke spoke up. I didnt discuss my trans status in my initial video because I wanted the show to desire me as a game player and an eccentric storyteller, not as The First Trans Survivor Player. They did. Though he was born and raised in Oklahoma City and currently resides in Los Angeles (where he is tremendously disappointed in the food), Zeke will always consider himself a New Yorker. Prior to that, the openly gay North Carolina native had worked as news anchor for CBS and Fox affiliates. Im so grateful and thankful that hes here with me.
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