Chanel Maya Banks, 36, starred as "Sawyer Bennett" in season three of the hit show in 2007 and has also had parts in 'Blue Bloods' and 'Twelve', according to IMDB. Now fans are wishing her a speedy return as concern keeps mounting due to her long standing absence. Here is what we know.
- Gossip Girl star missing since October 30
- Family launches GoFundMe for search efforts
- Police conduct welfare checks in LA
Family Launches GoFundMe for Search Efforts
A frantic search is underway for Chanel Maya Banks, a 36-year-old actress known for her role as Sawyer Bennett in the third season of 'Gossip Girl'.
Banks, who resides in Playa Vista, Los Angeles, has been missing since October 30. Her family last communicated with her through a Facetime call on October 27 and received a text from her on October 30. Since then, there has been no contact, leaving her loved ones deeply concerned.
In response to Banks's disappearance, her cousin Danielle-Tori Singh has been vocal about the family's efforts to locate her. Singh revealed that the family has taken to GoFundMe to raise funds for hiring a private investigator and to support their stay in Los Angeles during the search.
"In my soul, in my gut – something is not right," Singh expressed to ABC7, highlighting the unusual nature of Banks's disappearance.
Banks' first TikTok showed her celebrating Christmas and Hanukkah with a family at a home in Aspen, and on the same day she posted a clip of herself singing a song from the musical Wicked to mark "Musical Mondays."
Most of her following videos included celebrating New Year's Eve with her partner, and then joining the vlog trend of documenting her life and major milestones with a montage of moments and a voiceover describing the events.
Many of the vlogs described a birthday trip they took to San Diego for her partner's birthday and also the shopping trip he took her on for her birthday.
Another blog showed people how she picked the wedding dress for her nuptials where she tried on a range of dresses and shared her thoughts on each gown.
The Los Angeles Police Department has conducted two welfare checks at Banks's apartment, on November 7 and November 8, but found no sign of her. When Singh and her aunt visited the apartment on November 10, they discovered all of Banks's belongings except for her phone and laptop.
Her dog and car were also left behind, a situation Singh described as highly uncharacteristic of Banks, who would never travel without informing her family or taking her dog along.
A rising talent
Chanel Maya Banks is a rising talent in the entertainment industry, known for her versatility and compelling presence on both the big and small screens. Though she is relatively early in her career, she has already made a notable impact in various roles that showcase her wide-ranging acting skills.
Banks first garnered attention with her breakout performance in an independent drama film, where her ability to portray complex, emotionally nuanced characters set her apart from other newcomers. Her talent quickly caught the eye of casting directors, leading to roles in a mix of television shows and films.
Banks’ career continues to gain momentum, as she is increasingly sought after for both dramatic and comedic roles. She is known for her ability to seamlessly transition between different genres, bringing authenticity and depth to each character she portrays.
In addition to her acting, Chanel Maya Banks is also known for her advocacy work, using her platform to speak out on social issues, particularly those related to diversity and representation in the entertainment industry. As she builds on her early successes, it’s clear that Banks is a rising star with a bright future ahead, likely to become a mainstay in Hollywood’s next generation of leading actresses.
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'The Independent' has reached out to the LAPD for further information on the ongoing investigation. Meanwhile, Banks's family continues to hope for her safe return, urging anyone with information to come forward.
