Levi Banks, a wine executive, has withdrawn from the 28th season of Big Brother just before filming began at CBS Studios in Los Angeles.

His exit removes a cast member from the competition immediately prior to the season premiere. The sudden departure leaves the production to manage the cast dynamic and scheduling before the first episode airs this month.

Banks, who is 28 [1], announced his decision through a video posted to Instagram. In the video, he said, "What's up 'Big Brother' fans? My name is Levi Banks."

He explained that the decision was based on a need to prioritize his private life over the reality competition. He said, "I had to step away for personal reasons and focus on my family."

Because of these personal and family matters, Banks said he could not commit to the requirements of the competition. The withdrawal occurred during the week prior to the first episode's scheduled air date.

CBS has not released a statement regarding a potential replacement for Banks. The show typically maintains a strict cast count to ensure the gameplay mechanics of the house remain intact, a process that becomes more difficult once filming is underway.

“I had to step away for personal reasons and focus on my family.”

The late-stage withdrawal of a contestant creates a logistical challenge for reality productions, which rely on specific personality archetypes and cast numbers to drive narrative conflict. While the show may replace the contestant, the timing of this exit suggests a potential shift in the planned social dynamics for the season.