Five former contestants About the upcoming MrBeast Monster Games The competition series has filed a class action lawsuit against the show's production company, according to a filing obtained by The Verge. Rolling StoneThe new lawsuit was filed on Monday, the same day. Rolling Stone It published an investigation in which former contestants described unsafe working conditions and “wild” chaos on the Amazon reality TV show.
The complaint accuses the production company MrB2024, believed to be owned by Jimmy Donaldson, aka MrBeast, and Amazon of shamelessly exploiting the labor of hundreds of contestants and misrepresenting their participation in the show to avoid work obligations — including fair pay, rest periods and mandatory meals — under California law. The complaint also alleges that contestants suffered “unreasonable, unsafe and unlawful” working conditions, including “intermittent and sporadic feeding,” and that women were sexually harassed.
“Defendants used superior bargaining power to coerce contestants into signing unfair contracts with illegal terms and fictitious obligations, and they intentionally defamed contestants. [redacted] “To avoid Defendants’ employment obligations under California law,” the lawsuit alleges.
According to a press release issued by a consulting firm in coordination with the plaintiffs' attorneys, the complaint contains several redactions, including details “that gave rise to the sexual harassment allegations” that the plaintiffs described as “an effort to comply with defendants' confidentiality provisions” and protect their privacy.
like Rolling Stone As previously reported, according to the show's contestant release and release agreement, if a contestant discloses any “confidential information” before the final episode airs, they agree to pay $500,000 plus any winnings. After the airing, the fee is reduced to $100,000.
One crew member is not required. Rolling Stone It stated that “the Beneficiary waives any right to seek injunctive or other equitable relief against the Producer or any Project,” and that they cannot discuss confidential information for three years.
The lawsuit also accuses the reality show of creating a work environment that “systematically fostered a culture of misogyny,” citing specific incidents, including one involving a production crew, though specific information was omitted in the public complaint.
“The contestants had no autonomy. Defendants exercised complete control,” one line of the complaint reads, before listing redacted claims and then adding that the contestants were “confined to tightly controlled spaces.” [redacted] Where they were supervised…without any privacy.
Another claim in the lawsuit said the “inadequate amount of calories” provided “put the health” of the contestants at risk. (One contestant who spoke with Rolling Stone They said they were given “one scoop of rice” during a 15-minute break during a 16-hour shift. Another aide claimed that “the catering department ran out of food several times.”
The lawsuit also alleges that the women were sexually harassed, claiming that these acts were allowed “because of orders from the top” and highlighting what is alleged to be How to Succeed in MrBeast Production “Evidence written 'in the first person, apparently from Mr. Donaldson's point of view.'”
The alleged guide offers insight into “the working conditions of boys who will be boys” and was shared by YouTuber Rosanna Pansino, who claimed to have verified its authenticity with two MrBeast employees, according to the lawsuit. One prominent directive in the alleged guide states: “If talent wants to draw a dick on a whiteboard in a video or do something stupid, let them… Really do everything you can to empower boys when filming and help them make content. Help them be stupid.”
“I wanted to join because I was a fan of MrBeast and his videos made me smile during the COVID-19 pandemic,” one of the plaintiffs, identified only as “Contestant 5,” said in a statement. “I expected to be challenged, but I didn’t think I would be treated like nothing — less than nothing. As one of the women, I can say that it absolutely felt like a hostile environment for us. We honestly couldn’t have been given less respect — as people, let alone employees — if they tried.”
The lawsuit also accuses the show of falsely advertising the game as allowing 1,000 contestants, when in reality there were twice that number. While no specific amounts are listed, the proposed class action lawsuit calls for compensation for unpaid wages and overtime per contestant, penalties for waiting time, punitive damages, and an hour of additional pay for each continuous meal break that was not provided.
“It is clear that the female participants in particular deserve better,” added Lizelle S. Brandt of Senjian Law Firm, lead counsel for the plaintiffs. “The production crew not only participated in, but also created, conditions that fostered a hostile work environment and culminated in the sexual harassment of the female participants. While we cannot undo what they suffered at the hands of those they trusted, we want to at least provide them with some measure of justice.”
The plaintiffs also ask the court to order the production company and Amazon to be more transparent in Monster Games According to the press release, the former contestants are seeking significant damages, potentially in the millions of dollars.
in Rolling StoneThe chaotic work environment led to six patients being hospitalized, CNN reported, and contestants admitted that the production was put in a “bad place” when trying to bring Mr. Beast’s vision to life for the reality show. “They were in a bad place and didn’t know what to do,” said Scott Leopold, an Austin-based actor who competed on the Vegas tour. “It was like people were doing things they couldn’t control.”
