MisterBeast sued for 'unsafe' environment on upcoming Amazon reality show

MisterBeast is accused of creating “unsafe” employment conditions, including sexual harassment and misrepresenting contestants' competition to win the $5 million grand prize of his new Amazon reality show, in a lawsuit filed Tuesday by five anonymous participants.

The filing alleges that the multimillion-dollar company behind YouTube's most popular channel failed to pay minimum wage, overtime pay, uninterrupted meal breaks and rest periods for contestants — whose “work on the show was an entertainment product” sold by Mr. Beast.

A spokesman for Mr. Beast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, told The Associated Press in an email that he had no comment on the new lawsuit.

Donaldson's Beast Games was billed as “the biggest reality competition ever”. It was supposed to put the North Carolina content creator in front of an audience outside of the YouTube platform where his record 316 million subscribers regularly watch his challenges, which often carry outright cash prizes.

But it began to face criticism before its initial Las Vegas shoot was completed. Donaldson's companies cast 2,000 people in an initial test this July with half likely to advance to filming the actual show in Toronto.

The contestants learned shortly after their arrival that the Las Vegas pool was outnumbered by 1,000 contestants, according to the lawsuit, which significantly reduced their chances of winning. The lawsuit argues that “false advertising” violates California's business law that prohibits sweepstakes operators from “misrepresenting the likelihood of winning any prize in any way.”

Five anonymous contestants also said that “limited sustenance” and “inadequate medical staff” endangered their health.

The filing alleges that production staff created a “toxic” work environment for women who faced “sexual harassment” throughout the competition. Those sections have been heavily revised in an effort to comply with “confidentiality clauses” signed by competitors, their lawyers said in a press release.

The lawsuit adds to allegations – circulated by online influencers immediately after the shoot – that an unorganized set injured some contestants and lacked regular access to food and medicine. Other participants told the AP they received two light meals and MrBeast-brand chocolate bars per day.

MrBeast's team also faces new allegations that they “knowingly misclassified” contestants' employment status with the Nevada Film Commission in order to receive more than $2 million in state tax credits.

Among other forms of relief, the five contestants seek an order that the MrBeast Institute award “workplace reforms” and “all back wages.”

Last month, amid several public relations crises, Donaldson ordered a full assessment of the internal culture of his YouTube empire and outlined plans to require company-wide sensitivity training.

No further details have been released and no date has been announced for the reality game show's release.