MrBeast (2nd from R) attends the 2023 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards at Microsoft Theater on March 04, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.Leon Bennett/Getty Images
MrBeast, the 300-million-subscriber YouTube channel and media company behind it, is under fire in recent days due to double allegations directed to its founding co-presenters, Jimmy Donaldson and Ava Kris Tyson, regarding its questionable work ethics and predatory behavior, respectively.
MrBeast's Trans Collaborator Fired Over Grooming Allegations
Inc. reported that Tyson was allegedly fired after Donaldson was made aware of the sexual allegations, especially because those formerly associated with the company claimed that they were sexually abused by Tyson when they were still minors.
Donaldson eventually tweeted that he had removed Tyson from the firm and "hired an independent third party" to investigate the matter.
His statement was different from the latter's previous statement that she chose to leave MrBeast as part of a "mutually decided" action.
I would like to apologize for any of my past behavior or comments if it hurt or offended anyone. It was not my intent. Seeing recent events we’ve mutually decided it’s best I permanently step away from all things MrBeast and social media to focus on my family and mental health.
In the aftermath of the revelation, several people came forward to expose what they claimed were poor management decisions, especially with an Amazon Prime miniseries currently in production.
However, the whole situation could be traced back as early as the beginning of this decade, when MrBeast has framed itself as a child-friendly channel with videos that feature people being incentivized for their participation, as well as allegedly promoting illegal lottery through giveaways.
This is how the whole online chaos snowballed.
How it All Started
Criticism of Donaldson could be traced to the British communist YouTube channel The Kavernacle, after creator behind it uploaded a video in 2020, calling Donaldson's philanthropic works "gross and exploitative."
The channel has since compiled a playlist that exposed Donaldson's alleged fraudulent practices over the years after releasing the most recent video against him Monday (July 29).
In 2023, another video from Australian commentary YouTuber Lachlan Windross, more known for his channel "SunnyV2," revealed that Tyson's transitioning from Chris (male) to Ava Kris (transwoman), as well as his divorce from his wife and abandoning their son in the process, would eventually become a "nightmare" for Donaldson, which he, his fans, and other YouTubers ridiculed at the time.
Despite this, Windross remained unapologetic for his video, but has yet to comment on the current issue regarding Tyson.
Fast forward to mid-July, at least two former MrBeast Discordadmins came forward to accuse Tyson of predatory behavior, including grooming of minors, sharing child pornography content, and even purchasing such from controversial Swiss comic artist Shaddai Prejean (aka Shadman), specifically what was claimed as a sexualized portrayal of the young daughter of DramaAlert presenter Daniel Keem (aka Keemstar) which was allegedly featured in an old MrBeast video.
Dexerto also reported that one of the alleged victims, only known for his social media handle LavaGS, initially defended Tyson from the alleged claims and called them "lies," but he later admitted that the alleged messages he received from Tyson were "inappropriate."
Over the last few days, I’ve become aware of the serious allegations of Ava Tyson's behavior online and I am disgusted and opposed to such unacceptable acts.
During that time, I have been focused on hiring an independent third party to conduct a thorough investigation to ensure…
Donaldson Criticized for Amazon Prime Production, Fraud
Because of these allegations, and several others connecting him for not doing anything prior to it becoming public, Donaldson was also being criticized for his alleged mismanagement of the upcoming Amazon Prime series "Beast Games."
Sportskeeda reported that Donaldson's media crew were accused of allegedly neglecting the welfare, health, and safety of the production's participants.
Vital Vegas revealed that there were alleged poor conditions which the "Beast Games" participants are being exposed to, including subpar treatment, injuries on set, and even hospitalizations.
On the other hand, former MrBeast participant and social media influencer Rosanna Pansino, a vocal critic of Donaldson's, confirmed the allegations in the Vital Vegas report in a video over the weekend.
Meanwhile, a former MrBeast employee uploaded a YouTube video exposing Donaldson's alleged fraudulent modus operandi in all of the videos it produced, as well as his questionable workplace and corporate ethics which he allegedly whitewashes with giveaway livestreams and charitable efforts.
It remains to be seen whether all of these issues would become the downfall of the MrBeast brand as it is known or if either Donaldson, Tyson, or both would be criminally charged.
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