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Shanks was born in Australia and lives in Sydney. He has Scottish and Croatian ancestry and studied International Politics at the University of New South Wales.[10] Prior to becoming a YouTuber, Shanks was a model, appearing in magazines and advertisements throughout Australia and Southeast Asia.[11][12]

In 2019, businessman and mining magnate Clive Palmer threatened legal action for defamation against Shanks after he published a video criticising and insulting him.[13][14][15][16][17]

On 10 June 2020, Shanks released an interview with New South Wales Opposition Leader Jodi McKay, discussing topics including the state and federal governments' response to the 2019–20 Australian bushfire season, including widespread deaths of animals. Shanks and McKay were criticised for regarding Gladys Berejiklian as responsible for the death of koalas,[18][19] with Deputy Premier of New South Wales John Barilaro describing the comments as "desperate".[20]

Shanks has produced online reviews of Australian cask wine.[21][22] One video has included material sponsored by organisations such as the Australian Council of Trade Unions.[23] While acknowledging the commissioned material, Shanks denied that it influenced his political views. [24][25]

In a political commentary video uploaded by him on 29 June 2020, Shanks included an impersonation of Barilaro with an exaggerated Italian accent, which Barilaro later described as being "very offensive" and "full of racist undertones".[26] Shanks responded to the remarks by highlighting Barilaro's comments on political correctness and the change of his given name from Giovanni to John, and additionally portrayed Barilaro as the character Mario from the Super Mario video game series.[27] Shanks also filmed a subsequent video inside an Airbnb rental property owned by Barilaro,[28][29] accusing him of corruption and environmental vandalism.[8]

Former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has defended Shanks' comedy stylings, saying "He’s a funny bloke and pretty sharp too. He's also got an authenticity about him, and he’s genuinely trying to keep Australians informed. In a country like Australia, where the media is so concentrated in the hands of Uncle Rupert [Murdoch], there’s always a need for new media voices – especially voices that are young and progressive. Time will tell how effective he will be, but he is certainly attuned to the sentiments of many Australians."[30]

• Official website