Half a billion fans, a multi-million dollar personal fortune, and a global business empire. It would take something major to dethrone Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast, YouTube’s most influential star. However, a 54-page court document might be his toughest challenge to date.
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Five female contestants on the upcoming Prime Video show Beast Games have filed a lawsuit against MrBeast’s production company, MrB2024, and Amazon in Los Angeles. The show, touted as the biggest reality competition ever, features 1,000 contestants competing for a $5 million prize. However, the lawsuit has thrown the show into crisis, and it’s uncertain if it will ever air.
Among many redacted pages, the lawsuit reveals that the contestants “particularly and collectively suffered” in an environment that “systematically fostered a culture of misogyny and sexism.” These allegations directly challenge MrBeast’s image as one of the nicest guys on the internet.
The document also describes how contestants were “underfed and overtired,” with meals provided “sporadically and sparsely,” endangering their health. Another heavily redacted section states that the defendants “created, permitted, and fostered a culture of sexual harassment, including in the form of a hostile work environment.”
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Back in August, The New York Times interviewed over a dozen participants from the yet-to-be-aired show, revealing multiple hospitalizations on set, with one contestant stating they had gone over 20 hours without food. Contestants also claimed they didn’t receive their medication on time. BBC has reached out to MrBeast and Amazon, but there has been no public response from him yet.
Will these allegations diminish the appeal of YouTube’s king? MrBeast has faced numerous controversies this year and has managed to emerge unscathed each time. In July, he hired investigators after his former co-host Ava Kris Tyson was accused of grooming a teenager. Ava denied the allegations but apologized for “past behavior” that was “unacceptable.” MrBeast expressed his disgust at the “serious allegations.”
Later, additional claims about his business practices surfaced on an anonymous YouTube channel, claiming to be a former employee. BBC has not independently verified the allegations or the identity of this person. Some of his philanthropic efforts, such as building wells in Africa and funding surgeries to improve sight and hearing, have also been criticized as exploitative.
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Yet, his empire continues to grow. A day before the lawsuit was filed, MrBeast announced a collaboration with fellow famous personalities KSI and Logan Paul for a new product line designed to challenge Lunchables. His most popular video, with 652 million views, recreated Squid Game in real life with a $456,000 prize.
While many of his charitable acts are less controversial—such as giving away houses, cash, and cars—MrBeast has managed to build an image as one of the good guys on the internet. According to his website, MrBeast has delivered more than 25 million meals to those in need worldwide. His social media channels continue to grow, and in June, he gained enough subscribers to make his YouTube channel the largest in the world.
It’s unclear how these new allegations will affect MrBeast, but his next steps will be crucial for his long-term success. James Lunn, chief strategy officer at Savvy Marketing, states that MrBeast is in a unique position with a multi-faceted brand spanning various industries. “We are indeed in uncharted waters,” he said, adding that “a proactive approach, addressing the issues transparently and ensuring accountability, could protect his brand.”
Catherine Shuttleworth, a brand expert, suggests that MrBeast’s massive fame may act as a buffer against backlash, but this latest lawsuit could be particularly challenging. “When it comes to his business ventures, especially those targeting families and children, like Feastables chocolate bars or Lunchly, it’s a different story,” she said. “Parents, who often hold the purchasing power, tend to be less tolerant of controversies involving safety, fairness, and ethics.”
As MrBeast faces new challenges while his fame continues to rise, the internet is eagerly awaiting his official response to these allegations, which are so far only one side of a complex story.
