YouTuber MrBeast is mentioned in legal documents that allege contestants were “shamelessly exploited” in his new series, Beast Games. The participants have filed a lawsuit against the production companies linked to the show, including MrB2024 and Amazon. Announced in March, the series promised a chance for 1,000 contestants to win a cash prize of $5 million (£3.5 million), aiming to be the largest live game show ever. However, a lawsuit filed in a Los Angeles court on Monday claims that the participants were not compensated, faced unsafe conditions, and experienced incidents of sexual harassment. The legal documents indicate that MrB2024 is “believed to be owned in whole or part, directly or indirectly” by MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson. He is recognized as the most popular YouTuber worldwide, with over 300 million subscribers. In the legal documents, which contain some redacted sections, five unnamed participants have filed claims on behalf of all who took part in the event. They assert that the production team closely monitored them, dictated their sleep schedules, controlled their clothing choices, and stripped them of privacy and outside contact. The contestants describe their experience as being “underfed and overtired,” stating that meals were provided only occasionally and in small portions, which they argue jeopardized their health and well-being.
The 54-page filing also raises safety issues, highlighting that contestants were kept in tight spaces, faced dangerous sets, and that poor background checks allowed people with criminal records to participate. Some participants reportedly experienced physical injuries and did not receive the medical attention they required. The atmosphere on set has been described as one that encouraged misogyny and sexism, resulting in a “hostile atmosphere” for women, which included instances of sexual harassment. According to the document, this situation was not only seen but also allowed to persist. It suggests that such behavior was tolerated due to orders from higher management. The lawyers for the contestants argue that they deserve payment for their contributions, which they consider “essential labor” for the production. They maintain that these individuals were “not working for free” and should be recognized as employees.
All the claimants are looking for significant amounts of money for each participant to resolve issues related to “unpaid wages.” This situation emphasizes the financial stress faced by those involved in the case. Among the claimants, two women are also pursuing additional compensation due to allegations of a hostile work environment. Their experiences have brought another aspect to the ongoing legal proceedings. Earlier this year, MrBeast announced that he had hired private investigators to investigate claims that a co-host on his channel had groomed a minor. Ava Kris Tyson was accused by other YouTubers of sending inappropriate messages to the minor when she was 20, which she has denied. MrBeast later removed her from the channel, stating that he does not condone any inappropriate behavior.
