MrBeast, Amazon Sued Over ‘Hostile Work Environment’ at ‘Beast Games’

Popular YouTuber MrBeast, known for his elaborate and challenging competitions, has been named in a lawsuit alleging that participants in his upcoming Beast Games series were “shamelessly exploited.” The court documents accuse the production companies involved, including MrB2024 and Amazon, of exposing contestants to unsafe conditions, inadequate compensation and a hostile work environment.

Overview of the lawsuit against MrBeast

The series, announced in March, promised 1,000 contestants the chance to compete for a $5 million prize on what was billed as the “world’s largest live game show.” But a lawsuit filed Monday in a Los Angeles court paints a disturbing picture of what went on behind the scenes. Contestants allege they weren’t paid, were forced to endure unsafe conditions and were sexually harassed during production. The lawsuit names MrB2024, a company reportedly owned by MrBeast — whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson — and accuses the show’s organizers of failing to meet basic labor and safety standards.

Allegations of exploitation and unsafe conditions

According to court documents, five anonymous contestants are filing claims on behalf of everyone who participated in the show. They allege that the production team exercised strict control over their lives during filming, dictating when they could sleep and what they could wear, and even denying them privacy and access to the outside world. Contestants were left “malnourished and overtired,” the documents say, with meals provided “sporadically and sparingly,” putting their health at risk. The 54-page lawsuit also details unsafe conditions, including contestants being confined to small, crowded spaces, dangerous set designs and inadequate background checks that allowed convicted felons to participate. Several contestants reportedly suffered physical injuries and were denied proper medical care, further adding to concerns about safety protocols in place.

Allegations of sexual harassment and a ‘culture of misogyny’

The lawsuit also details a toxic environment for female candidates, alleging that the set fostered “a culture of misogyny and sexism.” Sexual harassment, it alleges, was rampant and tolerated by the production team. “This was not only noted, but condoned,” the court documents state, further alleging that such behavior was the result of “marching orders from the top.” Two of the female plaintiffs are seeking additional compensation for the hostile work environment they say they endured during filming.

Request for compensation

The lawsuit alleges that the contestants were performing “essential labor” for the production and should have been classified as employees. As a result, the plaintiffs are seeking compensation for unpaid wages and thousands of dollars for each contestant to cover the time and effort they put into the show. This isn’t the first time MrBeast’s channel has come under fire. Earlier this year, the YouTuber announced that he had hired private investigators to investigate allegations against a co-host on his channel, Ava Kris Tyson, who was accused of grooming a minor. Tyson, who was 20 at the time, denied the allegations, but MrBeast removed her from his channel, stating that he “did not condone or support any of the inappropriate actions.”

Amazon has declined to comment on the ongoing lawsuit, while representatives for MrBeast have not yet responded to requests for comment. Another production company named in the lawsuit, Off One’s Base LLP, also remained unreachable. The case is likely to draw a lot of attention as it unfolds, particularly given MrBeast’s enormous influence as the world’s most-subscribed YouTuber, with more than 300 million followers.