MrBeast's Amazon show 'Beast Games' faces backlash over alleged unsafe conditions

Contestants report lack of food and medical care during filming for MrBeast's new reality show.

MrBeast, also known as Jimmy Donaldson, is under fire for alleged unsafe conditions during the filming of his upcoming Amazon MGM Studios show, Beast Games. 

A new report from The New York Times reveals that over a dozen participants from the July preliminary event spoke anonymously about their experiences, citing inadequate food, medical care, and dangerous conditions at Nevada's Allegiant Stadium.

The Beast Games, announced in March, are based on Donaldson’s popular YouTube videos where he gives out extravagant prizes for high-stakes games. 

Contestants claimed that during filming, they suffered from exhaustion and injuries due to the physical challenges. The event, filmed for Donaldson’s YouTube channel, aimed to select participants for the actual show to be filmed later in Toronto.

A contract reviewed by The Times stated, “I understand that such activities may cause me death, illness, or serious bodily injury, including, but not limited to exhaustion, dehydration, overexertion, burns, and heat stroke.” 

Despite this common reality TV contract language, participants did not expect the conditions they faced. 

"We signed up for the show, but we didn’t sign up for not being fed or watered or treated like human beings," one contestant told The Times.

Reports included contestants leaving on stretchers, vomiting, and appearing to pass out, with several hospitalizations for minor injuries. 

Participants also complained about the food, claiming only two meals a day were provided, with no accommodation for dietary restrictions. 

A MrBeast representative disputed these claims, stating that three meals were provided daily, with multiple dietary options available.

Some contestants also reported issues with medication distribution and delays in receiving clean underwear supplied to production staff. 

Additionally, participants felt misled, expecting 1,000 competitors instead of the 2,000 who attended the July event, which was a preliminary round to select the final 1,000 for the Amazon show.

A spokesperson for MrBeast responded to The Hollywood Reporter, “The MrBeast promotional video shoot, which included over 2,000 participants, was unfortunately complicated by the CrowdStrike incident, extreme weather, and other unexpected logistical and communications issues, which we are currently reviewing, but we are grateful that virtually all of those invited to Toronto for our next production have enthusiastically accepted our invitation.” 

The spokesperson added that they have sought feedback from attendees and launched a formal review of the process to learn from the experience.

Contestants were allowed to leave the competition at any time, but many stayed in hopes of winning the grand prize despite the alleged conditions. 

Those who made it through the preliminary challenges are now preparing for the next event in Toronto, with some expressing continued concerns about safety but still planning to participate.

Earlier this week, Donaldson addressed past controversies involving inappropriate language used early in his career. 

A spokesperson stated, “When Jimmy was a teenager he acted like many kids and used inappropriate language while trying to be funny. 

Over the years he has repeatedly apologized and has learned that increasing influence comes with increased responsibility to be more aware and more sensitive to the power of language."