"I Bought a Fake Rolex for $14,000" – Banky W Reflects on Costly Lesson in Validation
Singer and entrepreneur Banky W has revealed that he once spent $14,000 on a fake Rolex because he wanted to fit into certain circles and gain validation, a decision he now describes as one of his most expensive lessons.
"I Bought a Fake Rolex for $14,000" – Banky W Reflects on Costly Lesson in Validation
Speaking on The Mentality podcast with Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Banky W recalled that an unnamed artist once asked him why he wasn't wearing a Rolex. When he explained that he wanted to prioritise real estate and investments first, the artist told him there were "some rooms" where people wouldn't respect him if he wasn't wearing a luxury watch.
The artist linked him with a seller, and Banky W convinced himself he was getting a great deal. "I actually went through the process and bought a fake Rolex for like $14,000. Yes, I confess it," he admitted.
For a while, he admitted, wearing the watch gave him the feeling of acceptance he thought he needed. That feeling didn't last long.
"Maybe six to nine months down, the Rolex started having k-leg," he recalled, with parts of the watch beginning to fall off and it gradually stopped working properly.
About a year after buying it, the watch had completely fallen apart. It was only later that he discovered the seller had been arrested by the police for dealing in fake luxury watches.
Reflecting on the experience, Banky W said the incident changed the way he thinks about success and appearances, noting that chasing status symbols or seeking validation from other people is never worth the cost, no matter how convincing the pressure may seem at the time.
The singer, who has since become a successful entrepreneur and co-host of the MENtality podcast alongside Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, has used the experience as a cautionary tale about the dangers of external validation.
His confession comes amid a broader cultural conversation about the pressures young men face to project wealth and status, particularly within Nigeria's entertainment industry and affluent social circles.
Banky W's honesty about his costly mistake has resonated with many fans and followers, who have praised him for his vulnerability and his willingness to share a lesson learned the hard way.
Source: TrendyBeatz
