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Voting out Sandra. When we share our gender history, many see us less authentically doubting, probing or denying our identities. 2023 Gold Derby Media, LLC. with experts latest predictions and breaking news, Theres no playbook for being trans, Zeke continues. The numbers were not in his favor, but they were in mine, and I was excited to be on a tribe with him. Together with GLAAD, we changed millions of peoples perceptions of transgender people. 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. You posted an apology on Twitter after the episode aired. We have to stop discriminating and minimizing trans people. When enough people crinkle their noses at you, you begin to think you stink. The results of the test wouldnt be discreetly mailed back to me; theyd be broadcast to the entire world. How well Zeke holds up depends on the boy: it could be a cooler alternative of Zack, or it could prove too close to "geek." In high school, he proved a championship policy debater. It was like waking up in Westeros, Lord Zeke of the Mustache Lands, fighting to claim the Iron Throne. My mind revved back up to full speed. Club, the Critics Choice and Television Critics Association member has appeared on 'Today,' 'Extra!,' 'Access Hollywood,' 'E! A week? He is most well-known for his innovative gamesmanship and witty storytelling on Survivor: Millennials vs GenX and Survivor: Game Changers. It's just so important that that's where we head. I think the editing was good. They know my soul and they know that's not who I am. When it happened at Tribal Council, Smith admitted that it left him reeling I was checked out for about 45 minutes to an hour [after it happened], said Smith. I was living, finally. Survivor season 41 begins filming soon with an expected premiere date of late September 2021. Its up to you to decide whether the hazard will define you or you will define the hazard. December 17th, 9 pm, Pacific Standard Time. He was eliminated on Day 33, but definitely made a huge impact on the game. I couldnt believe how well I was doing. 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. Hes just, I dont know. No chocolate chip cookies. What was appropriate? These Married At First Sight Couples Shocked Fans By Staying Together On Decision Day Despite Knowing They'd Break Up. We make easy targets. Gold Derby is a part of Penske Media Corporation. I lost many from my life when I transitioned. A month? 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. Yes, castaways still sleep in the dirt and eat only what can be scrounged around the island, primarily coconut. You don't see Zeke saying, "There is no deception. I thought that the viewers knew and everybody knew. Hope that whatever torments his soul will plague him no more. Zeke Smith is a television personality who gained popularity as a contestant in Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X. There is no why. My chance to re-enter appeared an opportunity to provide clarification. Walking into the season, his story was that hed played twice and never made the jury, the Survivor equivalent of making the playoffs. Playing with rookies was one thing, but playing alongside my Survivor heroes in a season called Survivor: Game Changers was quite another. 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. As much as I felt for the man, I wasnt giving up my dream for his. I was initially drawn to play in order to prove myself a cunning strategist worthy of a rare and highly coveted chance to one day return to the game. 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 listened to Hamilton. It can leave scars that haunt for a lifetime. 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. We've been dealing with this since last July and being unable to talk about it has really been the worst. There was no plot, no plan, no anything. And hes calling me a bigot and full of hate and all kinds of stuff. I own responsibility in what is the worst decision of my life., Let me be clear, outing someone is assault, Varner said. We're attacked a lot and I expected a lot more from Varner," Smith, 29, has told PEOPLE exclusively. And well Netflix and chill.. On April 12, 2017, an episode of "Survivor" aired called "What Happened on Exile, Stays . We didn't have the luxury of watching his first season. Watch it 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.. ET) on CBS. If he didnt make the jury, hed forever be remembered as the only three-time player to never do so. 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. Zeke shares a moving example of that impact in action. Published on April 15, 2017 03:09 PM. I leapt fearlessly, until I crashed. Id chosen to test myself in a tremendously public way. Forgiveness requires hope. Even Probst, the most neutral of arbiters, had my back. 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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. Zeke has not always gone after his dreams. The answer appeared instantly, for it had been the constant in this chapter: Survivor. 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 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? As the tears began flowing and host Jeff Probst looked gobsmacked, Varner was eventually eliminated by aunanimous verbal vote. by ; 28 kwietnia 2023 In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Smith said that he thinks being Probsts Pet was the wrong choice to make in terms of trying to win the game. Related: These Hollywood Couples Got Engaged, But Never Got Married, Hes just the best. He was very engaging, gifted in his ability to manipulate with his words, and he wore this crazy Hawaiian shirt and had poofy hair, said Probst, adding, We knew Zeke was a tremendous storyteller with an amazing ability to take a specific moment from the game or life and give it a universal perspective. In our Survivor predictions center, you get to answer the following questions before each episode airs on CBS every Wednesday at 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. I remember the smell of the kerosene in our torches. Zeke graduated from Harvard University with a degree in The Study of Religion. He and Hali Ford were both contestants on Survivor: Game Changers. He played college football at Auburn University where he was awarded the Outland Trophy in 1958. 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. Try and tear me down, he said in his CBS interview when he first was cast on the show. Im not ashamed of being trans, but I didnt want that to be my story. I just wanted to go outon an adventure and play a great game.. I guess everybody knows about my hot little 25 year-old boyfriend now. Be sure to read our contest rules and sound off on the season of Survivor in our reality TV forum. Even those who arent outwardly hateful crinkle their noses at you. Zeke Smith attends Rising Stars at the GLAAD Media Awards on May 4, 2018 at the New York Hilton. I leapt fueled solely by my belief in myself, because, well, nobody liked me very much. During that event, US Weekly interviewed Santos and asked him about his relationship with Smith. 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. What were you feeling after watching your actions on TV last night? 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. 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. A lot. An odd sentiment, I realize, for someone who signed up for two seasons of the CBS reality giant, Survivor. Get a closer look at the Season 34 contestants by clicking through our cast photo gallery. Related: 10 Real Life Partners Of The Cast Of NBC's 'Superstore'. I just remember I felt two feet tall and everyone was screaming at me and shaming it. Stop spreading lies! Now, another contestant has taken that choice away. At the conclusion of Tribal, Jeff Varners torch was snuffed. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Transitioning created the opportunity to remake myself to really consider and construct the man I wanted to be. 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. He really does, and I always keep asking myself, like, How are you a real person? Im like, Hes hot, hes a good cook, he takes care of me, hes amazing I love him so much.. I tuned back in to the conversation and found chaos tears, yelling, anger, but mostly confusion. I was invited back immediately for an all-star season, during the course of which I was maliciously outed by a former local network news anchor. In his twenties, he performed with the Upright Citizens Brigade. There was one post-merge Tribal where, I swear, he called on me every other person. Zeke Smith was outed as transgender by fellow contestant Jeff Varner in a shocking episode of Survivor: Game Changers on Wednesday, April 12, 2017. I just wanted to be known for my game., FROM COINAGE: Ask Yourself These Questions Before You Buy A Home. Zeke Smith is known formaking some big moves on 'Survivor,' but the bravest thing he's done wasn't so public. Zeke has not always gone after his dreams. I am NOT, I repeat, NOT25! Later it would become known that Santos and Smith met when they both were at an after-party for the GLAAD Media Awards and from there they were inseparable. At 28, Zeke joined Survivor: Millennials Vs. Gen X. ', Amber Riley Says She 'Didn't Really Know Where I Stood' on 'The Masked Singer' Before Winning, Jennifer Hudson on Her Talk Show, EGOT Win and Facing Fears Head On: 'You Will Always See Me Try', Jeff Varner outed his tribemate, Zeke Smith, as transgender, posted an apology on Twitter after the episode aired. When Probst snuffs that flame, your life is over. "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. Zeke Smith Reality Star Birthday January 25, 1988 Birth Sign Aquarius Birthplace Brooklyn , NY Age 35 years old #69636 Most Popular Boost About Asset manager from New York who became a national name as a reality television contestant on the long-running series Survivor in 2017. People think trans people are out there deceiving and theyre predators and theyre hiding in bathrooms and stuff thats just not true. But you cannot control the hazards you face, be they repeated misfortune or the harmful actions of others. On a hot night in the summer of 2015, I pondered what this test might be. I faked confidence, hoping that when the day finally came to be dropped on a beach and meet the dashingly dimpled host and executive producer, Jeff Probst, Id finally believe it. The editing doesn't show that Ozzy when it was all said and done and I said, "I'm done. "One of my favorite stories is of a trans guy in the Air Force," explains Zeke. 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. Smith has also found love with one of the stars of Superstore, Nico Santos. I thank God for that and the gift of being an example as to why you should never do what I did.. 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 As tough as its been for him, Varner recognizes that Smith, 29, is the real victim here. I could not have responded in the manner in which I did had he not held the wheel while I got my bearings. During the Survivor's show, he got distracted after seeing his father. Here is what he had to say. 71% Rating. I spoke as calmly as I possibly could. Binky Felstead finally reveals her newborn son's sweet name two weeks after giving birth to . Wednesday's (April 12) episode of Survivor was dramatic and surprising for both . 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. It was from my heart and as genuine as it could possibly be. As bad as this is and as bad as I feel, I'm glad that's what's happened as a part of this. Just opening yourself up and being honest and genuine helps wash that shame away and it's just been so beneficial to me. To see Smith in the pages of PEOPLE, pick up the latest issue of the magazine, on newsstands now. 2023 The Hollywood Reporter, LLC. LGBTQ visibility on television matters because for many it is the only chance to glimpse their future. When it comes to Survivor, Zeke Smith is the resident mystery man . 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. Theres no one whose journey resonated with me more than former local network news anchor Jeff Varner. What was Zeke Smith's birth name? Zeke Smith surprised boyfriend Nico Santos at the GLAAD Media Awards where they first met four years earlier with a romantic proposal. Im tough as nails. Early life. Were I in the hands of a lesser leader, Im sure questions wouldve been peppered my way before I was ready to receive them. Like, you know when youre thinking of your dream boyfriend? As I spoke, l locked eyes with Probst, and he nodded along with me, as if to say, Yes, yes, youve got it. The ship was out of rough waters and back into placid seas. I wanted the jury for him. It's hard to have lived through that two-hour tribal and have it condensed to 20 minutes and see how moments were cut out and connected. , Varner said he will never get over what he did. I mulled over all the scenarios to save him, but each required me to significantly jeopardize my position. And I just hope that those kinds of conversations are happening all over the country. I can only profusely apologize. Zeke Smith was outed as transgender on national TV when "Survivor: Game Changers" aired in 2017. I followed the path of least resistance, telling myself I would amount to something someday, just not today. I am and always have been the guy who tries to be teachers pet or in Survivors case, Probsts Pet, said Smith. Zeke Origin and Meaning The name Zeke is both a boy's name and a girl's name of Hebrew origin meaning "God strengthens". I didn't even realize I'd done anything wrong. Matthew Thomas is a freelance writer who has written hundreds of articles over the last several years. While he wastechnically a Millennial, he admitted in his interview and multiple times throughout the season that he never felt like one. Ever since being on the show together,Hannah Shapiro and Zeke are seriously BFFs. 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 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. 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.. You exit to the left, into the darkness, what I called The Abyss. I just choose to hope from afar, thank you very much. I couldve made a clean break for it, but I knew there was no running from what had happened. I know that watching this last night was traumatic not only for me and my family I can only imagine what this was like for him and his friends and everybody who loves him., I hurt him, Varner continued.