A comedian and method actor went viral after releasing a dramatic video series claiming he and several others were shipwrecked and stranded on a remote island. When he posted about it on X (formerly Twitter), fans quickly realized it was him. He is none other than William Banks, a Brooklyn-based creator known for their elaborate, fictional “sagas,” and the clues in this latest storyline strongly suggest it’s another of his performances.
Banks’ most widely viewed video, posted on October 14, shows him waking up on a beach in a life vest, while other supposed “survivors” stumble around nearby as he films himself calling for help. Followers could tell it wasn’t a real emergency, as several instances in the video made it seem staged.
According to the Daily Dot, the plot looked staged because his phone would have been recording before he even regained consciousness. He was also talking to his viewers in a childlike voice, which was suspicious. Why would anyone speak in a childlike voice when their life is in danger? Banks is known for crafting fake sagas to keep followers hooked.
we are lost on a island pic.twitter.com/sMHfkx01HL
— William Banks (@williambanks_) October 16, 2025
The actor’s latest video featured him “off the coast of Argentina,” stranded with seven others as they demonstrated intense survival skills. These include drinking from streams, trying to build shelter, losing belongings, and attempting to signal passing ships with reflective materials.
On November 12, the group took away the “emergency phone” and voted to exile Banks from the camp. Since then, his on-camera appearances have become far less frequent. His followers remain skeptical about whether the stunt is a genuine cry for help, a staged act, or a promotional stunt.
In addition, his followers were shocked that, despite being in such a remote location, William Banks’ social media accounts continued to post daily. Banks claimed his phone couldn’t place calls but remained logged into his socials.
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Ranging from a “jail saga” to a supposed entrapment in a walk-in freezer, to a science-fiction arc where he pretended to be an alien, the creator often uses props and does stunts to generate funds.
According to Dexerto, before his Argentina trip, Banks posted several travel-themed videos suggesting he was preparing for a major trip related to his upcoming fight at Párense de Manos III, a creator boxing event in the country.
In his posts just before the shipwreck arc began, Banks heavily foreshadowed the storyline with captions like “I wish this trip together would never end!” and “We are thinking of taking a sailboat trip tomorrow.”
Meanwhile, for his “Jail Saga,” Banks reportedly built an entire set after facing a real felony larceny charge in 2023 for allegedly stealing pro-Israel lawn signs. The video gained 27.8 million views on X, showing Banks inside a makeshift jail while mapping a clever escape.
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Later reporting from Hell Gate and New York Magazine confirmed that the jail scenes were staged inside a rented facility and filmed as part of a listed production on Backstage.
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As more updates about the next phase of the alleged adventure await, William Banks proves that social media is truly a potent tool in today’s world, not only for staying relevant but also for generating revenue by curating engaging content for viewers, one that stands out and remains unforgettable.
