MrBeast
Half a billion fans, a multi-million dollar fortune, and a global business empire—dethroning YouTube’s biggest influencer, Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast, would be no small feat. However, a 54-page court document may pose his biggest challenge yet.
Five female contestants from the upcoming Prime Video show Beast Games have filed a lawsuit against his production company, MrB2024, and Amazon in Los Angeles. Promoted as the largest reality competition series ever, the show features 1,000 contestants competing for a $5 million prize. But the lawsuit has thrown the production into turmoil.
The legal document contains serious allegations, including claims that the contestants experienced a culture of misogyny and sexism on set. This could seriously tarnish MrBeast’s reputation as one of the internet’s nicest personalities.
The document suggests participants were “underfed and overtired,” with meals provided only “sporadically and sparsely,” which allegedly endangered their health. Another heavily redacted section claims the defendants “fostered a culture of sexual harassment,” creating a hostile work environment.
In August, the New York Times reported that several contestants faced health issues while filming, with one stating they went over 20 hours without food. There were also claims that some contestants did not receive their medications on time.
The BBC has reached out to both MrBeast and Amazon for comments, but MrBeast has yet to respond publicly.
As these serious allegations emerge, the question remains: will they impact the popularity of YouTube’s reigning king?
Growing popularity and charitable efforts
MrBeast has faced several controversies this year but has managed to navigate them unscathed. In July, the 26-year-old influencer hired investigators after allegations arose against his former co-host, Ava Kris Tyson, who was accused of grooming a teenager. While Ava denied the claims, she did apologize for her “unacceptable” past behavior. MrBeast expressed his disgust over the “serious allegations.”
Further complications emerged when an anonymous YouTube channel, claiming to be a former employee, made additional allegations about MrBeast’s business practices. The BBC has not verified these claims or the identity of the person behind them.
Some of MrBeast’s philanthropic initiatives, such as building wells in Africa and funding surgeries for individuals with hearing and vision impairments, have faced criticism for perceived exploitation. One critic referred to his efforts as “inspiration porn,” arguing that people with disabilities deserve more respect.
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Despite these challenges, MrBeast’s empire continues to expand. Just a day before the lawsuit was announced, he unveiled a collaboration with fellow influencers KSI and Logan Paul for a new food line aimed at rivaling Lunchables.
His videos are known for their high production value, with one of his most popular clips—viewed 652 million times—featuring a real-life recreation of the Netflix hit Squid Game, offering a $456,000 prize.
Most of his philanthropic work, like giving away homes, cash, and cars, has helped solidify his image as one of the internet’s good guys. According to his website, he has delivered over 25 million meals to those in need around the world.
His social media following continues to grow; in June, he became the largest YouTube channel worldwide. Socialblade reports that he gained an additional five million subscribers in just the past 30 days. While it’s unclear how many may have unsubscribed, it’s evident that his new subscribers far outweigh any losses.
The YouTube Apology
MrBeast isn’t the only YouTuber to maintain popularity amid controversy; many others have weathered storms even more significant than his, often facing few repercussions beyond a public apology.
For instance, Logan Paul faced intense backlash in 2018 after he uploaded a video to his 15 million subscribers that showed the body of a person who had apparently taken their own life. After removing the original video, he issued a brief apology titled “So sorry.” Today, he boasts 23 million subscribers, owns a popular sports drink, and was the WWE United States champion until August, alongside a series of pay-per-view boxing matches.
Other high-profile YouTubers like PewDiePie, James Charles, and Jeffree Star have also encountered controversies but continued their careers after releasing apology videos. A recent example is Herschel “Guy” Beahm, known as Dr Disrespect, who admitted to messaging “an individual minor” in 2017. He emphasized that “nothing illegal happened,” and he took a two-month break after his statement. His comeback livestream earlier this month garnered over three million views, despite criticism from other prominent streamers. Dr Disrespect remains the second-most-watched streamer in the U.S. this year, according to Streams Charts.
The takeaway? YouTubers often bounce back quickly from controversies.
What’s Next for MrBeast?
While MrBeast’s fanbase continues to grow, he now faces new challenges that could influence his long-term success. James Lunn, chief strategy officer at Savvy Marketing, believes MrBeast is “in an incredibly unique position” with a “multi-faceted” brand that spans multiple industries. “We are indeed in uncharted waters,” he says, adding that a proactive approach—addressing issues transparently and ensuring accountability—could safeguard his brand.
Brand expert Catherine Shuttleworth suggests that the sheer scale of MrBeast’s fame may buffer him against backlash, but the latest lawsuit could pose difficulties. “For his business ventures aimed at families and children—like Feastables chocolate bars or Lunchly—it’s a different story,” she warns. “Parents, who often control the purchasing power, tend to be less tolerant of controversies related to safety, fairness, and ethics.”
Back in August 2023, I predicted that MrBeast would soon claim the YouTube crown, despite having only half the subscribers at that time. Now, as his fame rises, he faces additional challenges, and many are eagerly awaiting his response to what is currently just one side of a complex story.
