The Rise and Controversies of FaZe Banks: A Closer Look at the Gaming Influencer
Gamers are no more low-profile than they used to be a few years back. With gaming becoming more popular as a sport, there are many more gamers entering the scene, giving rise to a new genre of social media, gaming influencers.
One such gaming influencer is FaZe Banks, who rose to fame primarily as a YouTuber who played video games while providing commentary. Over the years, he has faced his fair share of controversies that have made news headlines.
In this blog post, we take a closer look at FaZe Banks, who he is, his rise to stardom, and the controversies that have surrounded him.
Who is FaZe Banks?
Richard Bengtson, famously known as FaZe Banks, was born in the year 1991 in Massachusetts, USA. Banks is an entrepreneur and social media influencer. He is the founder of FaZe Clan, one of the earliest and most successful gaming teams on YouTube.
As a YouTuber, FaZe Banks started recording videos of himself playing Call of Duty at a young age. With time, the videos started getting views and subscribers, making him a respected voice in the gaming world.
The rise of FaZe Banks
FaZe Banks’s early years saw him immerse himself in the gaming world as a content creator, initially playing Call of Duty. He eventually became one of the most viewed members of the FaZeClan alongside other members such as Adapt, Rug, and Rain.
With his fan base growing, people started recognizing him for his gaming skills, humorous commentary, and candid style of sharing his life with his fans. This laid a foundation for his future success as a social media influencer.
Aside from his YouTube channel, FaZe Banks is active on Instagram, where he has over 6 million followers. Over time, he has become a go-to for many people when it comes to anything related to gaming.
The controversies surrounding FaZe Banks
While the rise of FaZe Banks has been impressive, his career has been marred by certain controversies which drew immense negative attention.
The first significant incident occurred in 2017 when Banks was accused of assaulting a woman outside a nightclub. Though he denied the allegations, the woman’s lawyer produced a video that appeared to show Banks pushing the woman, leading to an online backlash.
Another incident involved Turner “Tfue” Tenney, a member of FaZeClan, who filed a lawsuit against the gaming organization, claiming that the company was exploiting him and other members. Banks denied all claims against FaZeClan. Ultimately, the lawsuit was settled out of court.
Banks as an Entrepreneur
As an entrepreneur, FaZe Banks has started a host of businesses. The most notable of these include clothing lines such as ‘Banks’ and ‘Tide’, which have a massive presence online and in various stores worldwide. These businesses have contributed to FaZe Banks’ net worth, which is currently estimated to be around $13 million.
FAQs
Q1: What is FaZe Banks known for?
A1: FaZe Banks is best known as a YouTuber who rose to fame by playing video games with commentary.
Q2: What is FaZe Clan?
A2: FaZe Clan is one of the earliest and most successful YouTube gaming teams that FaZe Banks founded.
Q3: What controversies has FaZe Banks faced?
A3: FaZe Banks has been accused of assaulting a woman outside a nightclub and was involved in the lawsuit filed against FaZeClan by Turner “Tfue” Tenney.
Q4: How did Banks build his fortune?
A4: FaZe Banks built his wealth through his various businesses, including clothing lines such as ‘Banks’ and ‘Tide.’
Q5: What is Banks’ net worth?
A5: FaZe Banks’ net worth is currently estimated to be around $13 million.
Q6: What makes FaZe Banks different from other gaming influencers?
A6: FaZe Banks’ candid style of sharing his life with his fans and humorous commentary set him apart from others.
Q7: How many followers does FaZe Banks have?
A7: FaZe Banks has over 6 million followers on Instagram.
Conclusion
FaZe Banks is an excellent example of a gamer turned social media influencer, with a massive following that has made him a household name. He has faced some controversies in his career, although he continues to be one of the most influential gamers out there. With his entrepreneurial ventures, FaZe Banks has created an empire that has contributed significantly to his net worth.
Despite some bumps in the road, FaZe Banks continues to inspire gamers worldwide and is a force to reckon within the gaming world. Are you a fan of FaZe Banks? What do you think of his controversies? Be sure to share your thoughts and comments below.