MrBeast Faces Lawsuit Over Treatment of Contestants in "Beast Games"
YouTuber MrBeast, known for his large-scale videos and giveaways, is facing legal trouble.
Five contestants from his upcoming series Beast Games have filed a lawsuit, claiming they were mistreated, subjected to unsafe conditions, and faced sexual harassment during the production. The lawsuit was filed in a Los Angeles court against MrBeast’s production company, MRB2024, Amazon, and another production company, Off One's Base LLP.
The series, which features 1,000 contestants competing for a $5 million prize, is set to air on Amazon Prime Video, though a release date has not yet been announced.
What does the lawsuit say?
According to the court documents, participants were subjected to “unreasonable, unsafe, and unlawful” working conditions, with several contestants allegedly being hospitalised. The documents detail complaints about lack of food, inadequate access to hygiene and medical care, and unsafe sets that resulted in physical injuries.
One of the more serious allegations involves sexual harassment, with the lawsuit claiming a "culture of misogyny and sexism" was fostered on set.
Some of the female contestants say they experienced a hostile environment, with one participant stating, "We honestly could not have been respected less — as people, much less employees — if they tried."
The contestants argue that despite being labelled as volunteers, they were actually working under conditions that should classify them as employees under California law. They claim they were not compensated for their labour and were denied basic rights like meal and rest breaks.
One section of the lawsuit highlights a disturbing lack of oversight, with some contestants alleging that there were insufficient background checks, allowing convicted criminals to participate. The plaintiffs argue this created a dangerous environment, where the safety of participants was jeopardised.
The lawsuit is seeking compensation for unpaid wages and additional damages for emotional distress and harassment.
The production, which was filmed in locations like Las Vegas and Toronto, has a reported budget of $100 million. It’s being advertised as the largest game show in history, with promises of record-breaking scale and prizes. However, the lawsuit claims that the show’s large budget did not translate into adequate care for its participants.
MrBeast and Amazon have denied all requests to comment on the situation from multiple news agencies
In response to earlier reports of unsafe conditions, a spokesperson for MrBeast acknowledged that the production faced challenges, including extreme weather and logistical issues. However, they did not address the specific claims in the lawsuit. Neither MrBeast nor Amazon have responded to requests for comment following the filing of the lawsuit.
The lawsuit is the latest in a string of controversies surrounding the 26-year-old YouTuber, who has amassed over 300 million subscribers on YouTube. Known for his philanthropy and elaborate stunts, MrBeast has previously faced criticism for some of his comments and actions, but this legal battle could be his most significant challenge yet.
