How Amazon Prime’s Beast Games turned the internet against former apple-of-everyone’s-eye MrBeast

Once revered as a paragon of generosity and creativity, YouTube sensation Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast, has recently found himself in the crosshairs of public criticism. While many think that his downfall was inevitable, what seems to have acted as a catalyst in driving public sentiment against him this time is Amazon Prime’s new reality show Beast Games.

The high-stakes competition organised by MrBeast himself was intended to be an exhilarating showcase of daring challenges. Instead, the show seems to have backfired and exposed the controversial underbelly of his rise to fame, resulting in a wave of backlash that has taken the internet by storm. The question is, will MrBeast recover or will his starpower simply dissolve with time?

MrBeast’s fall from grace

All seemed well for MrBeast until recently, when allegations of his old friend and a coveted member of his platoon Ava Kris Tyson having groomed a 13-year-old when she was 20 surfaced. While MrBeast condemned his friend’s actions and Tyson departed from the organisation, the YouTuber could not emerge from this controversy unscathed — despite Beast Games being on air.


If anything, the Ava Kris Tyson news only highlighted all the negative sentiments around his latest show. Beast Games was “set to become the biggest reality competition series ever, with 1,000 contestants competing for a $5 million dollar cash prize, which will be the biggest single prize in the history of television and streaming”. With MrBeast’s signature style of philanthropy and jaw-dropping stunts, the show promised to be a hit. However, as episodes aired, the initial excitement quickly gave way to concern and outrage from viewers and critics alike.

Viewers have called out the apparent disregard for safety and fairness, leading to a broader reevaluation of MrBeast’s methods and ethics. The extreme nature of the challenges featured in Beast Games raised serious safety concerns. Critics argued that participants were subjected to unnecessary risks without adequate precautions, echoing previous criticisms of MrBeast’s content.

In line with concerns about safety, allegations surfaced that adequate medical assistance was not always provided during his extreme challenge videos. Instances of serious injuries being poorly managed highlighted a disregard for participant welfare. Hashtags like #BoycottBeastGames and #MrBeastExposed have trended on Twitter, illustrating the scale of the backlash.

Past allegations come to haunt MrBeast

The controversies surrounding MrBeast are not new, but the visibility of Beast Games has brought them back into the spotlight. Here are the key allegations that have been magnified by the show's release:

Workplace bullying and toxicity: Former employees have accused MrBeast of fostering a toxic work environment. They described him as a perfectionist who made unreasonable demands and frequently berated staff. Allegations of verbal abuse and credit-stealing further painted a grim picture of life behind the scenes.

Misleading contests and giveaways: There have been claims that MrBeast’s contests and giveaways were not as transparent as they seemed. Reports suggested that some results were manipulated and that promised prizes were occasionally undelivered.

Crypto scam involvement: MrBeast's promotion of the cryptocurrency platform Refinable, which was later accused of being a scam, left many fans feeling deceived. This involvement further tarnished his image as a trustworthy figure.

Inappropriate language in past videos: MrBeast has also faced backlash for his use of inappropriate language with racist undertones in earlier videos. Although he apologised, the resurfacing of these clips during the show’s run did little to mitigate the damage.

Audience sentiments shift from admiration to disillusionment

The release of Beast Games has significantly shifted public perception of MrBeast. Social media platforms are rife with heated discussions, with many fans expressing their disappointment and anger. Critics argue that the show's emphasis on extreme challenges highlights a reckless and exploitative side of MrBeast that contrasts sharply with his philanthropic persona.

Fans have also been quick to point out the shift in his approach in recent times. Calling his current format ‘corporate’, many viewers have said that his older videos felt more real. Others argue that as the YouTuber scaled up his content, these shifts were bound to happen.

MrBeast’s journey from beloved YouTube philanthropist to a figure mired in controversy is a stark reminder of the complexities of internet fame. And undoubtedly, Beast Games intended to elevate his status has instead served as a catalyst for public scrutiny, exposing underlying issues that many fans were previously unaware of. But there’s no denying that MrBeast’s fanbase is huge, and there is a good chance that he will simply bounce back — all of his supposed transgressions forgotten, if not forgiven.