Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast, has been navigating a storm of controversies that erupted on social media recently, challenging his position as one of the most prominent figures on YouTube. The 26-year-old YouTuber, who boasts 308 million subscribers with his grandiose stunts and massive giveaways, now finds himself at the center of serious allegations.
The controversies include speculation about Donaldson’s awareness of inappropriate messages sent by his former collaborator Ava Kris Tyson to a minor, allegations of unsafe working conditions on his new Amazon Prime Video show, and resurfaced accusations of past racist and homophobic comments. Donaldson has denied knowledge of Tyson’s actions, expressed regret for his past remarks, and stated that his team is “currently reviewing” the complications that occurred during the July shoot in Las Vegas.
Despite the backlash, Donaldson’s subscriber count has surged by approximately 3 million since the controversy began, as per Social Blade. His ambitious Amazon competition series, for which the streaming giant reportedly paid him $100 million, is set to continue filming. Major sponsors like Monster Hunter Now and Samsung have not commented publicly on the recent controversies.
Efforts to get responses from YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Samsung, Niantic, and Capcom were unsuccessful. This pattern of rebounding from backlash is not new for large creators, often referred to as “cancellation.” Jessica Maddox, an assistant professor at the University of Alabama, remarked, “The bigger you get, the less mechanisms for accountability there are.”
The controversy surrounding Tyson intensified on July 23, when he stepped down from the MrBeast channel after allegations surfaced of him interacting inappropriately with a minor. Fans questioned if Donaldson was complicit. On July 24, Donaldson expressed his disgust on X, stating he had hired an independent party to investigate Tyson’s behavior.
In the subsequent days, reports emerged about unsafe conditions on the set of Donaldson’s upcoming Amazon Prime Video reality show “Beast Games,” which began filming in Las Vegas. Promising a $5 million prize, the show had high stakes but encountered significant setbacks. Safety concerns, including hospitalizations, sleep deprivation, and inadequate access to food and medication, were reported by contestants and news outlets like Vital Vegas and The New York Times.
Donaldson’s spokesperson acknowledged the challenges faced during the shoot, attributing them to extreme weather and logistical issues. The team has since launched a formal review to address these problems and ensure better conditions moving forward.
Despite the controversies, Donaldson continues to produce content and grow his brand. He remains a significant figure in the digital media landscape, illustrating the complex dynamics of accountability and fame in the era of social media influencers.
