Jeffrey Randall Allen, the winner of MrBeast’s highly anticipated Beast Games series on Amazon Prime, has shared his exclusive experience of competing in the record-breaking show. With 1,000 contestants battling through intense physical, mental, and social challenges, the 10-episode series—often compared to Netflix’s Squid Game—broke 44 Guinness World Records and awarded Allen a staggering $10 million, the largest cash prize in game show history.
One of the most shocking revelations was the complete disconnection from the outside world. Allen revealed, "They took away all of our technology and locked it in the safe. No phone, no computer, no Internet." Contestants had no access to the internet or clocks, which meant they had no way to know what time it was. At one point, Allen lost track of the month and learned it was September from crew members talking about the upcoming NFL season.
Filming conditions added to the contestants' surreal experience, with most challenges recorded at night. Allen said outdoor challenges were filmed from 11 p.m. until 5 a.m., keeping contestants awake and alert during unusual hours. The Ohio native, now living in California, was introduced to MrBeast—whose real name is James ‘Jimmy’ Stephen Donaldson—through his nine-year-old son, Jack. After seeing the casting call for Beast Games, Allen noted the application deadline on his whiteboard, leading him to eventually sign up for the competition.
Reflecting on his interactions with MrBeast, Allen described him as "extremely talented, funny, and thoughtful." He praised MrBeast’s philanthropic nature and his ability to handle immense responsibility at such a young age. Although Allen and MrBeast don’t maintain a relationship post-show, he expressed admiration for Donaldson and his fiancée, Thea Booysen, calling them a "power couple" capable of making significant impacts on humanity.
The majority of Beast Games was filmed in Toronto, Canada, where MrBeast invested $14 million to construct a massive “city” called Beast City. Designed like a small town, it featured barracks, parks, basketball courts, and even a soccer field. Contestants were eager to reach this extravagant set after learning about it during the first episode. Allen likened the experience to attending "an adult summer camp," citing the surprisingly comfortable bunk beds available to contestants and well-maintained facilities.
“It was awesome,” Allen said of arriving at Beast City. “We walked inside these giant 30-foot gates and we saw these nice barracks, a basketball court, and this giant stadium seating. It was just surreal.” He noted the accommodations were reminiscent of summer camp, making the competition feel less isolative and more like bonding among friends, even though 50 men shared his bunkhouse.
Despite the fun and camaraderie experienced by Allen, the show has not been without controversy. Allegations of "chronic mistreatment" were raised, with several contestants filing a class-action lawsuit against MrBeast and Amazon, claiming unsafe and unlawful working conditions during filming. The lawsuit included accusations of withholding food and medical care, resulting in some contestants requiring hospitalization due to dehydration. Yet, Allen maintained, "The experience for some shared was not my experience. For me, it was an adventure I signed up for and I was up for it wherever it took me. ”
He entered the competition with hopes of gaining recognition for his youngest son, Lucas, who suffers from Creatine Transporter Deficiency (CTD)—a rare genetic disorder affecting the body’s ability to transport creatine, the energy source for muscles and the brain. Through his experience on Beast Games, Allen aimed to shed light on his son's condition and advocate for research and treatment.
“I think it would be the ultimate legacy for Lucas and I. If we can find treatment so kids are diagnosed at birth, they could receive treatment within weeks and eventually grow up just like you and I,” he expressed. With his winnings, Allen hopes to use the $10 million to help Lucas and support his family.
MrBeast personally wired the $10 million directly to Allen’s bank account upon the show’s conclusion. Allen said with lightheartedness, "It’s a lot more exciting to wire someone 10 million than it is to withhold State Federal security tax." After taxes, speculation arose about his take-home amount, which may only be around $5.03 million, capturing MrBeast's attention enough to comment humorously on social media.
After weeks of ruthless competition, Allen reflected on his experience, stating, "It truly was an adventure of a lifetime. Met some amazing friends, got to talk about Lucas and his condition, and at the very end I won $10 million." He would even recommend his family to participate, viewing the experience as transformative and meaningful.
Allen’s account offers a unique behind-the-scenes glimpse at MrBeast's remarkable production. With its record-breaking success and jaw-dropping prize, the series has set new standards for reality game shows, blending entertainment with heartfelt personal stories and societal challenges.