Trans 'Survivor' Contestant Asked to Leave after One Episode

An out transgender "Survivor" contestant was asked to leave after only one episode – but not because of his gender identity, ET reported.

The long-running show's 42nd season began with a two-hour March 9 premiere episode that introduced Jackson Fox, "a 48-year-old healthcare worker hailing from Pasadena, Texas," ET recounted.

"During a nightside chat by the campfire on one of the first days of the 26-day adventure, Jackson revealed his story as a transgender man, sharing that he first applied to Survivor 10 years ago but as a woman," the story went on to say.

In the fireside chat, Jackson spoke about the rift between himself and his parents that resulted when he came out as transgender. Eventually he reconciled with his parents, but only when his mother became ill and he brought his health care skills home to help care for her.

"My father would ask me, 'Why'd your mother get sick?'" the contestant said. "And I'd say, 'Well, I think this was the plan. You and I got a relationship and Mom got to know who I was.'"

"'Survivor' makes you take everything and peel it off, be vulnerable and open," Jackson added. "And for me, that's a huge testament for someone who's always hid who I was."

That attitude honoring vulnerability was soon seen again, as host Jeff Probst appeared on the scene, having arrived to tell Jackson that he would have to leave the show.

"Apparently, Jackson failed to disclose one key medical situation until the day before filming was to begin," ET detailed. He had been taking lithium, "which he began taking around 2016 when he started taking care of his ill mother to help him sleep and deal with his anxiety."

Jackson explained the omission, saying that he has been coming off the medication and initially thought he might no longer be taking it by the time production on the show began.

"As Probst explained, this was a problem, as the stress of the 'Survivor' experience could lead to some negative side effects – especially as the process often leaves contestants dehydrated and sleep deprived," Newsweek explained.

"Probst said: 'The cumulative effect of the show would have a potentially very bad impact on you. And we don't want that. Your safety is paramount. We can't do it. We can't.'"

Jackson was understanding about Probst's concerns – but he stated his own take on how people react when they hear someone's on lithium.

"It's a stigmatism," Jackson said, adding that "everyone hears the word, lithium, and they go way back in time. And they're like, 'That was a huge drug back in the day.' That was a scary drug to be on."

He revealed that, in his case, people make the assumption that his being on lithium is associated with his gender confirmation. "I'm like, 'That had nothing to do with it.' If that was the case, I would've been on lithium 20 years ago because I was so unhappy."