Exclusive: David Banner Gets Real at Fight Night Premiere: Balancing Career, Life, and Being Called a Sex Symbol

At the Fight Night premiere, Baller Alert correspondent Nya caught up with multi-talented artist David Banner, who’s known for his work as a rapper, actor, and entrepreneur. As always, Banner kept it 100—sharing his struggles with balancing all his endeavors, offering advice to those pursuing multiple passions, and giving a thoughtful response to being called a sex symbol.

Kicking off with a serious question, Nya asked Banner how he manages to juggle his roles in music, acting, and business. Banner’s answer was refreshingly candid.

“I do a terrible job,” he said, laughing. “No, baby, it’s the truth. And we gotta tell these kids the truth.” Banner didn’t hold back, admitting that while he might look like he’s got it all together, it’s not always the case.

“A child told me one time when I went to speak, ‘David Banner, you do such a good job at holding this stuff up.’ I said, ‘I’m a wreck. I just make it look good in front of y’all,’” he continued.

Banner emphasized that it’s not about faking it but about being honest with yourself and others. “Most of us—our parents, now that we know what they went through—they were a wreck too. But I’m learning how to manage it better, and I’m more honest with people.”

When asked what advice he’d give to others trying to manage multiple streams of income and passions, Banner offered some practical wisdom. “Make some time. Schedule your family. Schedule fun the same way you schedule a meeting, and take it just as seriously.”

He explained that when he started prioritizing balance in his personal life, things began to improve. “When I started doing that, things got better,” he shared, before shouting out a fan nearby, “Hey, pretty face!”

Switching gears, Nya asked Banner how he feels about being labeled a “sex symbol”—a title that many fans and media have associated with him. His response was both humble and revealing.

“I’ll tell you something I’ve never told anybody else before,” Banner began. “I hear it and I see it, but I think because I hold myself in a certain light with a certain amount of respect, I really don’t benefit from it.”

Banner explained that women respect him so much for the way he carries himself that the title doesn’t translate into anything superficial for him. “Women know I don’t do the stuff a lot of other men do, so I don’t benefit from it like people might think,” he explained. “I’m grateful for it, but I want to be more than that.”

What Banner hopes to embody is deeper than the typical sex symbol status. “I want to be the kind of man a woman would want to marry. The kind of man a child would say, ‘I want him to be my dad.’ I want to be the type of man another man would say, ‘That’s who I want to be around in a ballroom or bar.’”

Nya, clearly touched by his thoughtful answer, responded, “That’s such a thoughtful answer. You’re going to have it all.”

Banner laughed and ended the interview on a light note, adding, “And a whole bunch of money too. We gotta start saying it—a whole bunch!”

As always, David Banner kept it real and gave fans plenty to think about, from managing life’s challenges to redefining what it means to be respected as a man in today’s world. Whether he’s in the studio, on screen, or speaking at events, Banner’s honesty and authenticity continue to resonate with fans everywhere.