MrBeast and Amazon are facing a lawsuit related to Beast Games

YouTuber MrBeast has been mentioned in court documents that claim contestants in his upcoming series, Beast Games, were “shamelessly exploited.” Participants have filed a lawsuit against the production companies involved, including MrB2024 and Amazon.

First announced in March, the series promised 1,000 contestants a chance to win a $5 million cash prize and aimed to be the largest live game show in the world. However, in a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles on Monday, contestants allege they were not compensated, faced unsafe conditions, and experienced sexual harassment. The documents indicate that MrB2024 is believed to be owned, wholly or partially, by MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson and who has over 300 million subscribers.

BBC Newsbeat has reached out to MrBeast and Amazon for comments. The legal filing, parts of which are redacted, includes claims from five anonymous contestants on behalf of all participants. They allege the production team surveilled them, controlled their sleep, dictated their clothing, and denied them privacy and outside access.

Contestants reported being “underfed and overtired,” with meals provided “sporadically and sparsely,” endangering their health. The 54-page document also outlines claims of unsafe conditions, including overcrowded spaces, hazardous sets, and insufficient background checks that allowed convicted criminals to participate. Some contestants reportedly sustained physical injuries and lacked adequate medical care.

The lawsuit describes a “culture of misogyny and sexism” on set, which contributed to a “hostile environment” for women, including instances of sexual harassment. It states, “This was not only noticed but allowed,” suggesting that such behavior was tolerated due to directives from leadership.

The plaintiffs’ lawyers argue that the contestants should be compensated for their time, classifying it as “essential labor” for the production, and asserting they were not working for free. They seek thousands of dollars in unpaid wages for all participants. Two female claimants are also pursuing additional compensation for the hostile workplace conditions.

Earlier this year, MrBeast announced he had hired private investigators to look into allegations against a co-host accused of inappropriate behavior with a minor. The co-host, Ava Kris Tyson, denied the accusations and has since been removed from the channel.

Amazon has declined to comment, and MrBeast’s representatives have not yet responded to Newsbeat’s request. A production company, Off One’s Base LLP, is also named in the lawsuit, but BBC Newsbeat has been unable to reach them for comment.