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YouTube sensation MrBeast, known for his extravagant stunts and giveaways, finds himself embroiled in controversy as contestants from his upcoming Amazon Prime Video show "Beast Games" file a class-action lawsuit. The suit, lodged on September 16, 2024, in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleges "chronic mistreatment" and sexual harassment during the production of what was billed as "the world's largest live gameshow."
The show, boasting a staggering $100 million budget and offering a record-breaking $5 million prize, has come under fire for alleged labor violations and hostile working conditions. Five unnamed plaintiffs claim they were subjected to inadequate wages, lack of proper breaks, and exposure to "dangerous circumstances."
One plaintiff, identified only as "Contestant 5," expressed her disillusionment: "I expected to be challenged, but I didn't think I would be treated like nothing — less than nothing. And as one of the women, I can say it absolutely felt like a hostile environment for us."
The lawsuit paints a grim picture of the production, with contestants reportedly facing food deprivation, sleep deprivation, and lack of basic hygiene facilities. Some participants even required hospitalization, according to the legal filing.
The counsel lead for the plaintiffs, Robert Pafundi stated, "Participants entered into contracts and they were promised compensation for their services. Their expectation of compensation, along with them being consistently under the control and supervision of the production staff, makes them employees under California law."
The controversy has cast a shadow over MrBeast's meteoric rise to fame. With over 300 million YouTube subscribers, the 26-year-old creator has become a household name. However, this lawsuit follows a string of recent controversies, including addressing grooming accusations against a former collaborator in May 2024.
As of now, neither MrBeast's team nor Amazon has publicly responded to the allegations. The lawsuit seeks unspecified punitive damages and demands payment of alleged unpaid wages and expenses.
This legal battle raises important questions about the treatment of reality show contestants and the responsibilities of both traditional media companies and new-age content creators. As the case unfolds, it may set precedents for future productions in the evolving landscape of digital entertainment.
With no official release date yet announced for "Beast Games," the future of the show remains uncertain. The outcome of this lawsuit could have far-reaching implications in the age of streaming and social media stardom.
