One of the world’s most famous online personalities is facing a lawsuit.
Jimmy Donaldson, better known as “Mr. Beast,” is a 26-year-old YouTube star with over 300 million subscribers who has built an empire by offering huge cash prizes to viewers of his videos.
The proposed class action lawsuit accuses the production company of Mr. Beast and Amazon Studios of “chronic abuse” and sexual harassment of contestants on the upcoming reality show. The plaintiffs also argue that they are employees, not contestants, and are disputing wages in the lawsuit.
Details of the legal battle
According to the lawsuit, five unnamed contestants from Amazon’s upcoming reality show “Beast Games” allege that Mr.Beast’s production company and Amazon Studios created a “toxic and hostile” environment that “created a breeding ground for sexual harassment.”
Citing a production guide titled “How to Succeed at Mr. Beast Productions,” the plaintiffs allege that it encourages vulgar language and instructs staff to “do everything possible” to “help” talent “make a fool of themselves.”
They also claim they were forced to endure “dangerous” conditions, lacked access to medical care, food and water, and were not paid fair wages.
“It doesn’t matter what you call them, as long as they meet the definition of an employee,” said Lizelle Brandt, an attorney for the plaintiffs. “Our contention is that they are employees under California law.”
Spokespeople for Amazon Studios and Mr.Beast declined to comment.
“Hope, dreams and expectations of getting paid are not the same as being an employee,” CBS News legal correspondent Jessica Levinson said. “This is a real legal battle, and the plaintiffs will have to convince a judge that this group, who signed up to be on the show, should be considered employees, not participants.”
Past allegations
The allegations come after YouTuber Jake Weddle, who claims to be a former MrBeast employee, alleged that he was subjected to mental abuse during the 100-day quarantine challenge.
“They stopped turning off the lights,” Weddle said. “I asked them, ‘Can we stay open at night?’ And they said, ‘No.'”
Donaldson, 26, Previously accused Racist and inappropriate comments.
“When Jimmy was a teenager, he behaved like many kids and used inappropriate language in an attempt to be funny,” a spokesperson for the YouTuber said in a statement to The Associated Press when the allegations emerged. “Over the years, he has apologized repeatedly and learned that with increased influence comes increased responsibility to be more aware and sensitive to the power of words. Although he made bad jokes and other mistakes as a youth, as an adult he is committed to engaging with the Mr.Beast community and, together, making a positive impact on the world.”
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