A spokesperson for the YouTuber stated that the preliminary event for 'Beast Games' faced complications due to the CrowdStrike incident, extreme weather, and other unforeseen logistical and communication issues, which are currently under review.
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| Jimmy Donaldson, aka MrBeast. Megan Briggs/Getty Images |
MrBeast is facing criticism again, this time over allegations of unsafe conditions and insufficient food and medical care for participants during the filming of his upcoming Amazon MGM Studios show, Beast Games.
According to a new report by The New York Times, over a dozen individuals who took part in the first installment of the reality competition show in July shared their experiences anonymously. Announced in March, Beast Games is inspired by MrBeast’s, real name Jimmy Donaldson, popular YouTube videos where he offers extravagant prizes for high-stakes games and competitions.
Contestants informed The Times that during filming at Nevada's Allegiant Stadium, they did not receive adequate food or medical care, and some suffered injuries from the physical challenges. This preliminary event was reportedly filmed for Donaldson’s YouTube channel to select participants for the main show, set to film later in the summer in Toronto, Canada.
A contract reviewed by The Times that applicants had to sign included a clause stating, “I understand that such activities may cause me death, illness, or serious bodily injury, including, but not limited to exhaustion, dehydration, overexertion, burns, and heat stroke.” This language is common in reality TV contracts.
However, some participants were unprepared for the conditions they encountered. “We signed up for the show, but we didn’t sign up for not being fed or watered or treated like human beings,” one competitor told the newspaper.
A contestant mentioned witnessing people being taken out on stretchers, although no severe injuries have been reported. Another competitor recalled seeing participants vomiting and seemingly passing out, with several hospitalizations occurring for minor injuries.
Some participants complained to The Times about the food, stating they received only two meals a day that did not consider dietary restrictions and allergies. However, a MrBeast representative disputed these claims, asserting that three meals were provided daily, with multiple options to accommodate dietary needs.
Several contestants also reported that their medications, handed over to event organizers before the competition, were not distributed on time. Additionally, some waited hours or even days to receive clean underwear that they had given to production staff as instructed.
Participants expressed feeling misled, believing initially that 1,000 people would compete for the show's $5 million prize rather than the 2,000 contestants present at the July event. The preliminary event was actually meant to select the 1,000 contestants for the Amazon show.
A spokesperson for MrBeast told The Morfeli Reporter, “The MrBeast promotional video shoot, which included over 2,000 participants, was unfortunately complicated by the CrowdStrike incident, extreme weather, and other unexpected logistical and communications issues, which we are currently reviewing. We are grateful that virtually all of those invited to Toronto for our next production have enthusiastically accepted our invitation.”
The spokesperson added, “We have communicated directly with 97 percent of the 2,000 attendees to seek feedback, launched a formal review of the process, and taken steps to learn from this experience. We are excited to welcome hundreds of men and women to the world’s largest game show in history.”
Contestants were allowed to leave the competition at any time, but many chose to stay, hoping to win the grand prize despite the alleged conditions.
The 1,000 participants who advanced through the preliminary challenges in July are now preparing for the next event in Toronto. One contestant told The Times that although she was concerned about her safety, she still planned to continue to the next stage.
Several of the remaining contestants seemed unfazed by their experience in the stadium, according to screenshots from a group chat reviewed by the newspaper.
THR also reached out to representatives for Amazon but did not receive an immediate response.
Earlier this week, Donaldson addressed "inappropriate language" he used early in his online career amid allegations of past racist remarks. “When Jimmy was a teenager, he acted like many kids and used inappropriate language while trying to be funny,” a spokesperson for the YouTuber said in a statement to THR.
“Over the years, he has repeatedly apologized and learned that increasing influence comes with increased responsibility to be more aware and sensitive to the power of language. After making some bad jokes and other mistakes when he was younger, as an adult, he has focused on engaging with the MrBeast community to work together on making a positive impact around the world.”
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