MrBeast's production division is being sued by competitors in the upcoming Beast Games reality show, who claim to have been subjected to abusive working conditions.
Five unnamed contestants, in a proposed class action lawsuit filed Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court, allege they were underpaid and deprived of adequate medical care, food and sleep. Some accuse the production of fostering a “culture of misogyny and sexism” in which they were sexually harassed, with staff allegedly neglecting to conduct background checks.
In March, it was revealed that Amazon, named in the lawsuit, had struck a deal with MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, for its first traditional television show: a competition billed as “the biggest reality show in television history.” Donaldson is the host and executive producer.
According to the complaint, contestants were forced to sign “unacceptable contracts with illegal terms and illusory obligations” that misrepresented their employment status. This served as a basis for the production to avoid protections related to minimum wage and overtime, mandatory lunch breaks, and workers' compensation, among other things, the lawsuit says.
It also supposedly allowed the production to claim a $2.2 million tax credit for filming in Nevada. If a large portion of the contestants were not residents of the state, they likely would not have met the requirement that the percentage of qualified expenses in Nevada reach at least 60 percent, which is a requirement to get the tax incentive.
The heavily redacted lawsuit also details allegedly unsafe and inhumane working conditions. Contestants say they were barely fed, watched for days at a time and forced to participate in unreasonably dangerous challenges. Several contestants suffered injuries, the lawsuit says.
The alleged negligence of production staff led to sexual harassment, according to the complaint. While no specific incidents were cited, some contestants say they were subjected to a “hostile and toxic work environment” in which women were forced to endure “severe embarrassment and unfair disadvantage.” They say their concerns were dismissed.
“This was apparently allowed to happen following orders from above,” the complaint reads.
The lawsuit cites a manual distributed to employees, “How to Succeed in MrBeast Production,” which states, “It’s OK for kids to be childish.” It adds, “If talent wants to draw a dick on the whiteboard in the video or do something stupid, let them. Really do everything you can to empower kids during filming and help them create content. Help them be idiots.”
In announcing Beast GamesThe series was billed as the single-largest win in television and streaming history, with 1,000 people competing for a $5 million prize. Contestants say they discovered a twist when they arrived on set, that their chances of winning were significantly reduced.
The proposed class action lawsuit alleges failure to pay minimum wage and overtime, sexual harassment, unfair trade practices and false advertising, among others. It seeks to represent all of the show’s contestants, who could be held liable for millions of dollars in damages, attorneys representing the plaintiffs say.