MrBeast’s Amazon Reality TV Series Hit With Class Action Lawsuit Over “Toxic Work Environment”
MrBeast’s production arm has been sued by contestants of the upcoming Beast Games reality competition show, who allege they were subject to abusive working conditions.
Five unnamed contestants, in a proposed class action lawsuit filed on Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court, say they were paid insufficient wages and deprived of proper 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.
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In March, it was revealed that Amazon, which is named in the complaint, struck a deal with MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, for his first traditional TV show: a competition described as “the biggest reality competition series in television history.” Donaldson serves as the host and an executive producer.
According to the complaint, contestants were coerced into signing “unconscionable contracts with illegal terms and illusory obligations” that mischaracterized their employment status. This served as the basis for the production to avoid protections related to minimum and overtime wages, mandatory meal breaks and worker compensation benefits, among other things, the lawsuit says.
It also allegedly 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, it likely wouldn’t have met the requirement that the percentage of qualified expenditures in Nevada reach at least 60 percent, which is an obligation to get the tax incentive.
The heavily redacted lawsuit also details allegedly unsafe and inhumane working conditions. The contestants claim that they were hardly fed, under surveillance for days at a time and forced to participate in unreasonably dangerous challenges. Several competitors suffered injuries, the lawsuit says.
The alleged neglect of production staff led to sexual harassment, according to the complaint. Though no specific incidents were referenced, some contestants say they were subject to a “hostile and toxic work environment” in which women were forced to endure “severe embarrassment and unfair disadvantage.” They claim their concerns were dismissed.
“Apparently, this was allowed because of marching orders from the top,” the complaint reads.
The lawsuit cites a handbook distributed to employees, “How to Succeed in MrBeast Production,” that states, “It’s okay for the boys to be childish.” It adds, “If talent wants to draw a dick on the white board in the video or do something stupid, let them. Really do everything you can to empower the boys when filming and help them make content. Help them be idiots.”
In announcing Beast Games, the series was touted as having the biggest single payout in the history of television and streaming, with 1,000 people competing for $5 million prize. The contestants say they learned of a twist upon their arrival to the set that significantly reduced their chances of winning.
The proposed class action brings claims for failure to pay minimum and overtime wages, sexual harassment, unfair business practices and false advertising, among several others. It seeks to represent all contestants on the series, which could be on the hook for millions of dollars in damages, lawyers representing the plaintiffs say.
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