Chanel Maya Banks' disappearance was publicity stunt to 'save acting career', claims private detective

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Chanel Maya Banks is facing accusations of staging a disappearance to revive her struggling acting career.

A private investigator hired by the family claims Banks fabricated drama involving her family as part of an elaborate publicity stunt.

Sonny Elliott says Chanel Maya Banks is trying to 'save an acting career'

Private detective Sonny Elliott, hired by Maya Banks' family, alleged that the actress sought to generate attention after her career declined. 

Sonny Elliott revealed that Chanel's mother, Lutchmin Judy Kumar, hired him to locate her daughter after reporting her missing on October 30, 2024.

But when she was found on November 11 in Texas, her family claimed she was an imposter as per the report. 

"Unless Judy and Chanel's cousin Danielle are the greatest actors on Earth, then this is clearly a woman 'trying to save an acting career that ended during the Obama administration,'" Elliott stated about  Kumar and Chanel's cousin, Danielle-Tori Sing, TMZ reported.

Chanel Maya Banks alleged harassment and burglary by her family

Sonny Elliott also addressed Chanel Maya Banks' decision to block her family on social media and her phone. He suggested this contradicted Chanel's claims that they were harassing her.

According to Elliott, the family has no way to harass her as she alleged in a recent restraining order filing.

'Gossip Girl' actress filed a civil harassment restraining order against her mother Lutchmin Judy Kumar and cousin, Danielle Singh on December 23.

She accused them of conspiring to destroy her reputation and career.

"They orchestrated this scheme in order to humiliate me publicly and ruin my professional acting career," alleged Banks as reported by MEAWW.

Banks also claimed her mother and cousin broke into her apartment in November, stealing her husband's work badge and tagging her car to track her location.

She added that they assaulted her husband, leaving him with visible injuries. "The pair caused 'visible injuries on his face and neck,'" alleged Banks.

The actress further accused her family of attempting to place her under a 5150 psychiatric hold.

She alleged, "They sent threatening messages stating their intention to 'weaponize the police' against me," claimed Banks.

Chanel Maya Banks staged a disappearance drama for 15 minutes fame  

Sonny Elliott suggested Chanel Maya Banks originally traveled to Texas to write about a religious cult but ultimately became involved with it.

Chanel on her part maintains she got there to get  baptized by her favorite pastor.

"This is all for the last 15 minutes of fame and we now believe she wants publicity, maybe hoping to bring more people to the 'church' or high control group aka a cult," Danielle told the outlet. 

Sonny asserts that her family employed him out of love and concern for her, while Chanel's reaction suggests to him that it is a publicity stunt.