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Prospective Big Brother houseguest Levi Banks is speaking out after his exit at the eleventh hour.
As season 28 kicked off on Thursday, July 9, Levi was nowhere to be seen during the premiere — despite previously appearing on a leaked cast list. He also was not included on the CBS’ official list of 14 new houseguests released earlier this week.
To explain his absence, Levi shared a post via Instagram on Thursday.
“What is up, Big Brother fans? My name is Levi Banks, and I just wanted to give you all a quick update and to let you know that I am doing great,” he said in the Instagram video.
Levi continued: “I was all set and ready to move into the Big Brother house this season, and as we got closer and closer and closer to the move-in day, I just kinda realized that this was not the right fit for me personally.”
Insisting that it was his own decision to walk away rather than being cut by the powers that be at Big Brother, Levi said it wasn’t a call he made easily.
“I kinda wanted to let you know that was probably the hardest decision of my entire life,” Levi said.
He continued, “I am back home in North Carolina right now, and I am on good terms with CBS, Big Brother and everyone, and I just wanted to let them know — and you all know — that I am so, so, so thankful for this opportunity. It has been very life-changing.”
Although he will no longer be in the middle of the action in the Big Brother house, Levi said he would still be following the season as a fan.
“I am so freaking excited to watch the show tonight,” he said. “Oh, my gosh, I am pumped! It’s gonna be a little bit of a different POV than going in the house as to being in my couch, so I will take that one thing at a time. But I want to say thank you all so much for your support. I appreciate each and every one of you, and let’s go Yash!”
Yash Patel was the replacement player (or “alternate”) for Levi after he dropped out.
In the initial announcement, 14 new players were introduced. Amongst the new faces are an MMA fighter, a game show host, a drag queen who previously appeared on RuPaul’s Drag Race and more. Survivor fan favorite Rick Devens and Big Brother alum Angela Murray were also confirmed to have joined the season 28 cast.
Big Brother 28 began with a 90-minute premiere on CBS and Paramount+ on Thursday night.
“This new group of Houseguests is stepping into a summer where nothing is as it seems, where every twist rewrites the rules, and where time becomes the ultimate twist,” CBS teased of the new season in a press release.
