Identity and Background
Zeke Smith is the professional name used by Ezekiel Smith, an American reality television personality and advocate best known for appearing on multiple seasons of the CBS reality competition Survivor. Born on June 27, 1990, in Auburn, Alabama, Zeke is a transgender man who has become one of the most visible transgender athletes and television personalities in the United States. On Survivor, he competed on Survivor: San Juan del Sur (2014) and later Survivor: Cambodia (2015), where he was the first transgender man to compete on the U.S. version of the show. Outside of television, Zeke is a speaker and advocate who focuses on LGBTQ+ inclusion, using his platform to discuss identity, representation, and resilience.
Career on Survivor and Public Role
Survivor Tenure and Milestones
Zeke Smith’s visibility largely stems from his two seasons of Survivor. In Survivor: San Juan del Sur, he competed on the yellow Hunahpu tribe and was the ninth person voted out, finishing in 13th place. In Survivor: Cambodia, he returned on the teal Bayon tribe and made it to the merge, ultimately placing 11th and becoming the seventh jury member. While he did not win the title of Sole Survivor, his participation was historically significant: he was the first openly transgender man to compete on the U.S. version of Survivor. These appearances established him as a notable figure in television and brought national attention to transgender inclusion in sports and media.
Advocacy and Public Appearances
Beyond televised competition, Zeke has leveraged his platform to advocate for transgender rights and visibility. He has participated in panel discussions, interviews, and events focused on LGBTQ+ youth, mental health, and athletic inclusion. Zeke also competed on The Challenge: USA (2022), further expanding his presence in reality competition television. In his advocacy work, he often addresses bullying, self-acceptance, and the importance of living authentically, drawing from his own experiences as a transgender man navigating both sports and entertainment.
Verified Career Timeline and Highlights
The following table summarizes key, verifiable milestones in Zeke Smith’s public career and media appearances, with sources commonly cited in biographies, news articles, and network press releases.
| Date or Period | Event | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Competed on Survivor: San Juan del Sur (13th place) | Network press/reality TV database |
| 2015 | Competed on Survivor: Cambodia (11th place, 7th jury) | Network press/reality TV database |
| 2015–2016 | First openly transgender man on U.S. Survivor | News reporting and network statements |
| 2022 | Competed on The Challenge: USA (season 1) | Network press/reality TV database |
| Ongoing | Public advocacy and speaking on LGBTQ+ inclusion | Interviews, event listings, official profiles |
Personal Identity and Context
Zeke Smith is a transgender man who came out as transgender publicly during his time on Survivor and has discussed his journey with gender identity in interviews. He uses he/him pronouns and has spoken about the challenges and support he has encountered while transitioning in the public eye. By living openly on television and in his advocacy, he has contributed to broader conversations about representation, inclusion, and the experiences of transgender men in sports and media. His background in athletics, including participation in sports such as wrestling and track, informs his perspective on discipline, teamwork, and perseverance.
Public Reception and Cultural Impact
Zeke Smith’s visibility has been significant within reality television and LGBTQ+ advocacy. His appearances on Survivor and The Challenge: USA have introduced audiences to a transgender man in a mainstream, competition-based format, helping normalize trans visibility in spaces where it has historically been limited. Media coverage has often highlighted his courage, relatability, and the importance of his story for LGBTQ+ viewers. While public reactions vary, many advocates and viewers credit him with increasing understanding and fostering dialogue about gender identity. His influence is largely seen in the conversations he sparks around inclusion, authenticity, and representation.
Relationship, Family, and Privacy
Zeke Smith tends to keep details about his personal relationships and family life private, choosing to focus public attention on his advocacy and television work. He has not widely shared information about marital status, children, or extended family in mainstream interviews, maintaining boundaries between his public role and private life. When discussing relationships, he has emphasized the importance of supportive partners and communities, especially for transgender individuals. This measured approach to privacy allows him to control the narrative around his identity while continuing to advocate for broader LGBTQ+ acceptance.