Why is MrBeast getting sued? Class action lawsuit controversy explained

Modified Sep 19, 2024 11:14 GMT

One of YouTube's biggest names, Jimmy "MrBeast" is currently facing a host of allegations ranging from "faking" content to hiring alleged sexual offenders. To add to the list of controversies, MrBeast now facing legal action. For context, yesterday (September 18), some reports emerged stating that five unnamed contestants have filed a class-action lawsuit against the YouTuber.

These contestants are allegedly from MrBeast's upcoming project Beast Games. For those unaware, Beast Games is a video series produced in partnership with Prime Video. Filming of this project has already been completed.

What is the controversy involving MrBeast's Beast Games?

MrBeast's upcoming project, Beast Games, has already faced some controversy. The issues first surfaced (July 2024) when Vital Vegas, a Las Vegas-based news outlet, reported allegations of participants being mistreated.

For instance, one allegation claimed that some participants were denied their medication. Another accusation suggested that hospital staff reported the on-site medical staff were not adequately equipped.

These allegations were further substantiated by the participants themselves. One participant, Scott Leopold, claimed (August 2024) that the producers had informed them they would be selecting the eventual winners. He labeled the situation as being "misled."

NBC News also interviewed (September 2024) a participant named William, who alleged that some contestants were denied their medications. He mentioned that one participant with epilepsy was denied their medication while another collapsed during the event:

"One girl in our group did need her epilepsy medication and she did not get it. She had a hard time fighting for it...we finally got access to food after about 10 hours and I witnessed a male collapse right in front of me and he was convulsing."

(Timestamp: 03:13)

Explaining the class-action lawsuit against MrBeast

In the past few days, reports and court documents have revealed that MrBeast is one of two defendants in a class action lawsuit. The plaintiffs' identities have remained anonymous.

Some of the allegations in the lawsuit include "sexual harassment," "failure to pay overtime," and "unfair business practices." The official court document outlines a total of 14 allegations against the defendants:

List of allegations mentioned in the lawsuit (Image via Superior Court of the State of California)

The document goes on to allege that MrBeast failed to provide "fair wages" or proper "working conditions" for the participants:

"MrBeast did not want to use the alleged unconstrained resources to provide fair wages or even bare-minimum-legal working conditions to the contestants."

MrBeast accused of not providing fair wages to the contestants (Image via Superior Court of the State of California)

The court document detailed some of the allegations, including "sexism" and "misogynistic practices" as well:

"The Beast Games work environment systematically fostered a culture of misogyny and sexism where Production Staff did nothing."

Female participants allegedly faced "sexism" (Image via Superior Court of the State of California)

The lawsuit also alleged that MrBeast and his team had "control" over various aspects of the participants including "meals," "contracts," and "movement." Read the list here:

Beast Games participants allegedly had to give up control over various aspects of their lives (Image via Superior Court of the State of California)

The document also refers to a MrBeast Handbook titled HOW TO SUCCEED IN MRBEAST PRODUCTION which is described as a manual for the "boys-will-be-boys" line of thought:

"This alleged MrBeast Handbook provides insight into the boys-will-be-boys working conditions that are seemingly promoted by Mr Donaldson, which, if such MrBeast Handbook is indeed distributed to MrBeast production staff, advises employees - Really do everything you can to empower the boys when filming and help them make content."

MrBeast alleged handbook is under scrutiny (Image via Superior Court of the State of California)

Note: The court document also stated that, aside from MrBeast, Amazon Alternative, LLC ("Amazon Alternative" or "Amazon"), is also another defendant in the case.

Incidentally, in the past few days, MrBeast has also launched a new business venture called Lunchly, in collaboration with fellow YouTubers Logan Paul and JJ "KSI." This project has also faced criticism, particularly regarding health-related concerns, since the product is primarily targeted at children.