Levi Banks has explained why he withdrew from Big Brother Season 28 shortly before the CBS reality competition premiered, saying he concluded that entering the house was not the right personal decision for him. The 28-year-old prospective contestant addressed his unexpected departure in an Instagram video after previously appearing in promotional material for the season.

Banks said his concerns became clearer as the scheduled move-in date approached. “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,” he explained.

He described leaving the show as “probably the hardest decision of my entire life,” but stressed that there was no public dispute with the network or production. Banks said he remained “on good terms” with CBS and the Big Brother team.

A CBS spokesperson confirmed to USA TODAY that Banks chose to leave voluntarily. He had initially been announced as a Season 28 houseguest through early promotional material before reportedly being replaced by an alternate ahead of the premiere.

Why Levi Banks left Big Brother 28

Banks did not point to one incident or disagreement as the cause of his withdrawal. His explanation suggested that the decision developed gradually as the commitment became more immediate and the reality of entering the house set in.

Competing on Big Brother requires participants to step away from their jobs, families, phones and normal routines for a potentially lengthy period. Houseguests live together with cameras and microphones recording their movements around the clock while they manage alliances, competitions, nominations and weekly evictions.

That environment can create considerable social and emotional pressure. Banks made his choice before moving into the house, which meant production could adjust the lineup without affecting an active competition, eviction result or established alliance.

Reality television productions often prepare alternate contestants for last-minute withdrawals caused by personal circumstances, medical concerns or changes in availability. In this case, CBS confirmed that Banks made the decision himself, although the network did not provide extensive details about the replacement process.

Big Brother 28 introduced other casting surprises

Big Brother Season 28 premiered on Thursday, July 9, 2026, with 14 new houseguests moving into the house. Banks’ departure was not the only major casting development revealed around the premiere.

Host Julie Chen Moonves announced that familiar reality television personalities would be added to the competition. Angela Murray, who became a prominent figure during Big Brother Season 26, returned for another opportunity to compete for the show’s $750,000 prize.

Rick Devens, known for competing on Survivor, also joined the house. His addition placed an experienced reality television strategist alongside first-time contestants who were still learning the pressures of living and competing under continuous surveillance.

Former Big Brother winner Rachel Reilly appeared to be another returning contestant, but her proposed entrance became a staged fake-out. She fell into a fake volcano rather than permanently moving into the house.

Moonves then teased that another reality television star would take Reilly’s place. The identity of that person was not disclosed during the premiere and was expected to be revealed in an upcoming episode.

Adding experienced reality personalities can alter the game from its opening days. Returning contestants arrive with established reputations and knowledge of televised competition, but those advantages can also make them immediate targets for newcomers concerned about their strategic experience.

How to watch Big Brother Season 28

Big Brother episodes are scheduled to air on Sundays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET on CBS. Wednesday broadcasts run for 90 minutes, while Sunday and Thursday episodes are scheduled for one hour.

Thursday broadcasts feature the weekly live eviction. New episodes are available to stream the following day on Paramount+, while the companion program Big Brother: Unlocked airs on Friday nights at 8 p.m. ET with behind-the-scenes footage and discussion about the game.

Viewers can find current episodes, official program information and future scheduling updates on the official Big Brother page on CBS.

The franchise is experiencing changes beyond the United States as broadcasters reconsider how long-running reality programs fit into their schedules. One significant development is explained in this report on Global ending its 26-year run of Big Brother broadcasts.

Banks will not compete for the Season 28 prize, but his Instagram statement clarified the reason for his absence. He reconsidered the opportunity before move-in day, made what he described as an extremely difficult personal decision and left without publicly blaming CBS or the production.