MrBeast faces class-action lawsuit filed by Beast Games contestants (Image via beastgames.com, MrBeast/X) — MrBeast faces class-action lawsuit (Image via beastgames.com, MrBeast/X)

MrBeast and Amazon Studios face class-action lawsuit from Beast Games contestants

Modified Sep 18, 2024 01:56 GMT

Five unnamed Beast Games contestants have filed a class-action lawsuit against popular YouTuber MrBeast (real name Jimmy Donaldson) and Amazon Studios. The reality TV program does not yet have a release date, but filming started a few months ago and saw 1,000 total competitors vying for a $5,000,000 prize.

Beast Games has been mired in controversy after many reports raised concerns about the health and safety of the show's contestants during filming.

Five contestants have now taken legal action, claimng that the production team did not provide fair wages and that the working conditions on set failed to meet safety regulations. Other allegations include sexual harassment, failure to pay minimum wage, false advertising, and more.

MrBeast accused of not providing safe and fair working conditions for contestants of Beast Games

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The five unnamed Beast Games contestants filed the class-action lawsuit, naming MrBeast's company and Amazon MGM Studios as defendants.

Beast Games was a much-anticipated collaboration between the popular YouTuber and Amazon. In March, the content creator had officially announced the event, calling it "the largest game show in history."

As mentioned, many reports had claimed that Beast Games contestants were facing a myriad of troubles outside the actual challenge in the show. Last month, Rosanna Pansino alleged that the contestants had repeatedly been called back to set after being eliminated.

One of the primary complaints in the lawsuit is MrBeast and Amazon's alleged failure to meet standard workplace environments and pay the contestants adequate wages. The legal document also claims that the YouTuber's production pocketed a lot of money by avoiding employment taxes and misclassifying the contestants.

The lawsuit also alleges that the environment on set was unsafe and did not meet safety regulations. A relevant part of the legal document reads:

"Defendants then subjected the Contestants to unreasonable, unsafe, and unlawful employment conditions."

The five contestants also claim that MrBeast and Amazon created a hostile workplace environment, which not only jeopardized the safety of the players but also failed to address problems related to sexual harassment. According to them, the production team refused to intervene on behalf of female contestants.

Another major issue put forward by the plaintiffs is false advertising. MrBeast's initial offer to provide them with adequate food and medical care during Beast Games filming was alleged to have not been met.

The lawsuit cited reports from The New York Times and other outlets that say many contestants had to drop out of the event due to injuries.