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REUTERS/Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel/Pool George Zimmerman listens to the judge during his first-appearance hearing in Sanford, Florida November 19, 2013.

George Zimmerman's brother wanted to turn him into a reality television star.

In a 5,000-word GQ profile of the Zimmerman family, Robert Zimmerman describes his attempts to rebrand the 30-year-old former Sanford neighborhood watchman after he was found not guilty of second-degree murder in the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. The case sparked an international debate about race. Martin was black and unarmed. Zimmerman is described as mixed-race Hispanic.

"I learn a lot from watching 'Keeping Up With the Kardashians,'" Robert Zimmerman told the magazine. "Like, use the s--- you've got."

The show, a mix between the "Kardashians," "America's Most Wanted" and "Candid Camera," would have featured George punking, say, unsuspecting self-defense instructors.

Another idea Robert had for rebranding the family: launching a signature line of home-security company products aimed at women.

"They all start with Z," Zimmerman said. "There's the Z Bar, the Z Rock, and the Z Beam. They're all targeted to women. One is to secure sliding doors. One is to put in the front door. The light is to carry and is designed by George. It has a little alarm you know, 'Help me, help me!'"

According to GQ, the Zimmerman family has been living in fear since George was identified in the Feb. 26, 2012, shooting:

''The family formalized new security protocols. They watched the movie "Argo" to learn how to live like CIA. Code names for everyone. No mail delivered to the house. No visitors. No talking to the few neighbors they had. No long phone conversations keep it short and vague to outwit surveillance. Never discuss your whereabouts via phone or text. Keep a weapon close by at all times. Robert slept with his gun. Still does.

And in case someone or multiple someones decided to mount an attack on the house, the Zimmermans pre-packed their own "go-bags" filled with everything they would need to flee in a rush, as well as what they called "footballs" like the one President Obama has with the nuclear codes that contained laptops, cell phones, and other essential electronics.

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'Keeping up with the Zimmermans'

George Zimmerman's brother recently described what life was like after his brother was found not guilty of murdering Trayvon Martin, according to GQ Magazine.

In an interview with GQ, Robert Zimmerman talked about his family trying to capitalize off the situation and how theyd hoped to turn George into a reality television star.

"I learn a lot from watching Keeping up with the Kardashians," said Robert Zimmerman.

Robert Zimmerman said his brother hated the media except for the Fox News show "Hannity."

Robert Zimmerman said the family had arranged to do an interview in New York on the anniversary of Trayvon Martin's death, but were afraid of traveling.

"Its like 9/11 for my family. We cant travel together that day. It's like having the whole royal family travel together," said Robert Zimmerman.

Robert Zimmerman said that although the threats against his family have diminished, he expects they will be in fear for the rest of their lives.

"I understand you may consider us uncooperative or somewhat paranoid. We live with a situation that cannot easily be imagined. We have known the results when various individuals have realized one of us is a Zimmerman," he said after canceling an interview with the GQ reporter at a rental home in Seminole County.

Top video: 911 caller: 'We placed 3 bombs in schools'

The author said George Zimmerman refused to take part in the interview because GQ Magazine would not agree to provide a week at a luxury hotel.

Read the original:
Robert Zimmerman speaks out about life after verdict in GQ article

Would you watch a reality TV show starring George Zimmerman? That was his brother, Robert's "ultimate goal," according to an in-depth interview with GQ magazine.

Robert Zimmerman Jr. said his family wanted to "rebrand" George after he was acquitted of murder last year for the 2012 shooting of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in Sanford.

Robert told GQ he wanted to turn George into a reality star modeled after "America's Most Wanted's" John Walsh, and the Kardashians.

The younger Zimmerman brother said the trial forced him to take on a role of "family savior" in an attempt to defend his brother and family to the media. Before the shooting of Trayvon Martin, which his family refers to as "the incident," Robert said he felt he was a disappointment to his parents, describing himself as an "unemployed, college dropout with a DWI and a boyfriend."

Even after George's acquittal more than a year ago, Robert Zimmerman said his entire family has continued to live in hiding, prepared to flee in a hurry with pre-packed "go-bags" in case they were attacked.

Robert said George and his ex-wife, Shellie, wore disguises to avoid being recognized in public. He said George called his disguise, consisting of a blond wig and sunglasses, as his "Bieber look."

GQ contributor Amanda Robb even tagged along with Robert and George's mother, Gladys, to a concealed weapons certification class, which George had arranged for his mother and brother to take in Orlando. The Zimmermans said they had to draw up their own security protocols, including using a color-coded threat system and keeping guns close by at all times. Robert said he still sleeps with his gun.

Robert said his brother hated the media, blaming them for "turning him into a national villain," and refused to give any interviews. The one exception was Sean Hannity, to whom George Zimmerman gave his first TV interview in July 2012.

George eventually agreed to an interview with CNN in February 2014 after the network agreed to pay for a hotel room and expenses.

According to Robert, a hotel manager handed him a $3,600 for room expenses, and a CNN producer accused the Zimmermans of "splurging" on their dime, telling Robert, "You and your brother are evil!"

The rest is here:
George Zimmerman's brother talks to GQ

George Zimmerman's brother recently described what life was like after his brother was found not guilty of murdering Trayvon Martin, according to GQ Magazine.

In an interview with GQ, Robert Zimmerman talked about his family trying to capitalize off the situation and how theyd hoped to turn George into a reality television star.

"I learn a lot from watching Keeping up with the Kardashians," said Robert Zimmerman.

Robert Zimmerman said his brother hated the media except for the Fox News show "Hannity."

Robert Zimmerman said the family had arranged to do an interview in New York on the anniversary of Trayvon Martin's death, but were afraid of traveling.

"Its like 9/11 for my family. We cant travel together that day. It's like having the whole royal family travel together," said Robert Zimmerman.

Robert Zimmerman said that although the threats against his family have diminished, he expects they will be in fear for the rest of their lives.

"I understand you may consider us uncooperative or somewhat paranoid. We live with a situation that cannot easily be imagined. We have known the results when various individuals have realized one of us is a Zimmerman," he said after canceling an interview with the GQ reporter at a rental home in Seminole County.

Top video: 911 caller: 'We placed 3 bombs in schools'

The author said George Zimmerman refused to take part in the interview because GQ Magazine would not agree to provide a week at a luxury hotel.

Original post:
Robert Zimmerman speaks about life after verdict in GQ article

ORLANDO, Fla. -

George Zimmerman's brother, Robert, opens up to GQ magazine about what life was like for the Zimmerman family before, during and after George's murder trial.

In an upcoming issue, Robert Zimmerman explains how his family discussed making George the star of a Zimmerman family reality show.

He also says George Zimmerman arranged for his mother to take a concealed weapons class before the trial.

Robert Zimmerman also told GQ that his brother hated the media and did not want to give any interviews. However, when he finally agreed to an interview with CNN, the network put him in a hotel and paid for his expenses. In return, the Zimmermans gave CNN a room-service bill totaling $3,600.

George Zimmerman and his wife, Shellie, were also forced to wear disguises to avoid being spotted in public. Robert said George referred to his wig and glasses as his "Bieber look."

The entire article is available in next month's GQ issue.

GQ says George Zimmerman refused to be interviewed for the article unless he was given a hotel room. The magazine declined.

George Zimmerman was acquitted of murder last year in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin.

Continued here:
Robert Zimmerman opens up about his brother