MrBeast Continues Amid Controversies and Accusations

Jimmy Donaldson, famously known as MrBeast, faced significant scrutiny last week amidst numerous controversies related to his YouTube productions.

The 26-year-old has skyrocketed to fame with his unique content that involves grand stunts and enormous giveaways, amassing 308 million subscribers along the way. Recently, however, he has been embroiled in several social media controversies. These include allegations that he was aware of inappropriate messages sent by his former collaborator Ava Kris Tyson to a minor, accusations of unsafe working conditions on his new Amazon Prime Video show, and claims of past racist and homophobic comments.

Donaldson addressed the issue on X, stating he was unaware of Tyson’s misconduct. His spokesperson confirmed he has apologized for past comments. The team behind his reality show is also conducting a review of the on-set issues that surfaced during filming in Las Vegas last July.

Despite these controversies, Donaldson’s popularity appears unaffected. According to Social Blade, he has gained about 3 million subscribers since the incident involving Tyson sparked backlash in late July. His Amazon competition series, which reportedly earned him a $100 million deal, is set to continue its production. Major sponsors like Monster Hunter Now and Samsung have not publicly commented on the backlash.

Requests for comments from YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Samsung, Niantic, and Capcom have gone unanswered.

Large content creators tend to weather widespread backlash, or “cancellation,” as it’s often called by fans. Jessica Maddox, an assistant professor of digital media technology at the University of Alabama, remarked on the lack of accountability mechanisms for prominent creators like MrBeast. According to her, the more influential a creator becomes, the fewer the platforms are inclined to impose penalties, given the considerable attention they bring.

The recent controversy began when Tyson stepped down from the MrBeast channel on July 23, following accusations of inappropriate interactions with a minor. Allegations included public posts referencing nude photos, sex, and hentai. Some fans questioned if Donaldson was aware of Tyson’s behavior.

On July 24, Donaldson posted on X expressing his disgust with Tyson’s actions and mentioned hiring an independent third party to investigate her behavior. When queried about his prior knowledge of Tyson’s messages, his spokesperson referred to his X post.

In subsequent days, Donaldson faced criticism over reports that contestants on his upcoming reality show “Beast Games” experienced unsafe conditions. The series, ordered in March, promises a $5 million prize to the winner, which is touted as the largest single prize in television and streaming history. The production aims to feature 1,000 contestants, making it the biggest reality competition series ever.

However, the high-stakes series encountered setbacks behind the scenes. YouTuber Rosanna Pansino, who previously participated in Donaldson’s Creator Games series, made several X posts on July 26, claiming that contestants had reported hospitalizations, sleep deprivation, lack of medication, and insufficient food on set. These safety concerns were initially reported by Vital Vegas on July 18. The New York Times later interviewed a dozen anonymous contestants, who confirmed injuries and inadequate access to food and medical care.

Donaldson’s spokesperson acknowledged in an email that multiple factors, including an incident involving CrowdStrike and extreme weather, complicated the shoot. The team is currently reviewing these issues. The spokesperson also noted that most participants who were invited to proceed to the Toronto shoot have accepted enthusiastically.

During this period, Pansino also called out Donaldson for an old clip showing him discussing purchasing a Black person and using a homophobic slur. A spokesperson clarified that Donaldson’s inappropriate comments were made during his teenage years, asserting that he has since apologized and grown more aware and responsible.

Pansino stands out as one of the few larger creators publicly criticizing Donaldson. In October, she claimed that he edited her out of the top three finalists in his Creator Games series. Donaldson’s spokesperson declined to comment on this claim.

In an interview with NBC News, Pansino said people felt comfortable confiding in her about Donaldson’s sets due to her vocal stance on his off-camera behavior. Describing him as the most powerful creator globally, she believes her openness has led many to approach her with their concerns.

Despite these controversies, Donaldson’s influence continues to grow. He earned an estimated $82 million last year and was named the top creator of 2023 by Forbes. His collaborations span numerous prominent creators like Kai Cenat, Logan Paul, and Bella Poarch.

On Saturday, a day after The New York Times reported on “Beast Games,” Donaldson posted a new video that has garnered over 103 million views, topping YouTube’s trending chart. He has not addressed any of the controversies in his content.

Jessica Maddox from the University of Alabama emphasized that accountability for social media personalities largely depends on their followers and audiences stepping forward with allegations. However, many of Donaldson’s subscribers, particularly children, might be unaware of the criticisms. According to a report by investment bank Piper Sandler, MrBeast was the top influencer among teenagers this spring.

Much of the controversy remains confined to platforms like X and Reddit, which are less frequented by teens, reducing the visibility of these issues among his core YouTube audience.

Source: NBC News