YouTuber MrBeast has responded to a lawsuit initiated by contestants from Amazon’s Prime Video show, Beast Games, who are alleging mistreatment and sexual harassment.
In September 2024, contestants from the reality competition show Beast Games filed a lawsuit.
Amazon and YouTuber MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, are the creators behind the $100 million show where over 1,000 participants competed for a singular $5 million cash prize.
However, both Donaldson and Amazon were named in a lawsuit submitted to the Los Angeles Superior Court by five contestants. They are seeking class-action status on behalf of all participating contestants.
The lawsuit claims that contestants were ‘underfed and overtired’ during the production, jeopardizing their ‘health and welfare.’ Additionally, it accuses the show of fostering a ‘hostile environment,’ characterized by a ‘culture of misogyny and sexism’ and instances of sexual harassment allegedly ‘permitted due to directives from the top.’
Attorneys representing the contestants stated, as reported by Variety: “While participants knew upon signing the contract at the production’s inception that they were facing a potentially long and challenging competition, they allege getting a lot more than they bargained for. Several contestants ended up hospitalized, while others reported suffering physical and mental complications while being subjected to chronic mistreatment, degradation and, for the female contestants, hostile working conditions.”
The legal action seeks additional compensation for ‘unpaid wages,’ asserting that those involved should be recognized as employees due to their extensive participation. Two claimants who alleged a ‘hostile environment’ was created are pursuing further compensation.
MrBeast has since addressed these allegations in an interview with ABC News’ Good Morning America, stating that while he cannot “comment on it,” he has heard feedback after “personally” speaking with approximately 700 to 800 of the 1,000 contestants.
He stated: “I got to let the lawyers handle it, I can’t comment on it, but what I can say – I’ve personally talked to 7-800 contestants, they all want to come back, they all had a great time.”
“And you can watch their content online and I think it speaks for itself.”
A spokesperson for MrBeast told the news outlet: “The lawsuit, which was filed last September and hasn’t achieved class-action status, still hasn’t been served.”
The debut episode of Beast Games was released in December last year and quickly became one of Amazon Prime Video’s most watched shows.