An industrial accident and allegations swirling around MrBeast's debut television series, Beast Games, have prompted investigations by Ontario’s Ministry of Labour, highlighting significant concerns about safety and working conditions on set.
On September 11, during filming at the former Downsview Airport location, reports emerged of a crew member injured by falling debris, as confirmed by the Ministry of Labour. "A worker was injured by a piece of falling wood on Sept. 11 on the set of MrBeast's debut television series, Beast Games," reported by Now Toronto.
Launched on Amazon Prime Video, Beast Games features 1,000 contestants vying for the largest cash prize ever offered—$5 million USD. Created by Jimmy Donaldson, known as MrBeast, the show has not only made headlines for its massive prize but also for incidents off camera. The set mimics a miniature village and has faced scrutiny over the conditions contestants experienced during production.
The Ministry of Labour issued requirements to the production companies involved—Blink 49 Studios and Manhattan Beach Studios—though they have provided few details on the nature of these requirements, citing the investigation's confidentiality. The specific injuries and circumstances remain unclear as the investigation progresses.
The allegations extend beyond purely physical safety, as former contestants have spoken out about emotional distress and mistreatment during the show. During earlier filming stages at Allegiant Stadium, many reported inadequate conditions. Contestants disclosed shocking experiences such as inadequate meals, injury complaints, and claims of sexual harassment. One participant described working conditions by noting, “We had to wear trash bags over our clothes,” underscoring the chaotic environment.
The tumultuous conditions have led at least five contestants to file lawsuits against MrBeast Productions, claiming they were “shamelessly exploited” during the competition. Reports from Rolling Stone suggested the environment was toxic, particularly for female contestants facing harassment. Additional testimonies highlighted some crew members experiencing denial of necessary medications and proper medical care.
While the legal challenges mount, MrBeast faced additional scrutiny over allegations of sexual misconduct surfacing within his production team. Earlier this year, discussions erupted online concerning Ava Kris Tyson, a former collaborator on his channel, accused of inappropriate relationships with underage individuals. Following this, MrBeast LLC commissioned the law firm Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan to conduct an independent investigation.
The investigation found allegations of sexual misconduct against Tyson baseless. According to the firm, “the allegations of sexual misconduct (e.g., pedophilia, grooming, child pornography, etc.) between Company employees and minors are without basis,” as reported by NBC News. The probe involved reviewing 4.5 million documents and conducting 39 interviews with current and former employees to evaluate the overall company culture.
Despite the favorable findings for MrBeast concerning the allegations against his company, the investigation did acknowledge instances of workplace misconduct. The law firm recommended changes within MrBeast LLC to improve functioning and reported, “several isolated instances of workplace harassment and misconduct were identified.” They confirmed swift actions were taken on these matters without public disclosure of specific cases.
Donaldson, who has leveraged his massive YouTube platform to create record-breaking content, has not shied away from addressing the controversies surrounding Beast Games. He has admitted, “We did mess up on little things and there are definitely things we could have done,” referring to the challenges presented during production. Following the investigations, MrBeast LLC announced reforms, including hiring new leadership, implementing mandatory corporate training, and establishing anonymous reporting mechanisms for employees.
Looking forward, industry observers and fans alike are eager to see how MrBeast will navigate these controversies as he continues to produce content. While Beast Games aims to break ground with unprecedented competition formats, the realities of production safety and worker treatment have sparked important conversations about accountability and the responsibilities of creators within the entertainment space.