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{{Short description|American YouTuber (born 1998)}}
{{short description|American YouTuber and businessman (born 1998)}}
{{Pp|blp|small=yes}}
{{other uses|Mr. Beast (disambiguation)}}
{{pp-blp|small=yes}}
{{Redirect|Mr. Beast}}
{{Redirect|Jimmy Donaldson|other people with the same name|James Donaldson (disambiguation){{!}}James Donaldson}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{use American English|date=September 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox YouTube personality
{{Infobox YouTube personality
| name = MrBeast
| name = MrBeast
| logo =
| image = MrBeast 2023 (cropped).jpg
| image = MrBeastFullBody.png
| caption = MrBeast in 2023
| birth_name = James<!-- Please do not change to Jimmy --> Stephen Donaldson
| upright =
| caption = Donaldson in 2022
| birth_name = Jimmy Donaldson
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1998|5|7}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1998|5|7}}
| birth_place = [[Wichita, Kansas]], U.S.
| birth_place = [[Wichita, Kansas]], U.S.
| other_names = {{flatlist|
| origin = [[Greenville, North Carolina]], U.S.<ref>[https://www.wnct.com/local-news/youtube-star-greenvilles-own-mrbeast-rethinks-old-notions-of-philanthropy/ YouTube star, Greenville's own MrBeast rethinks old notions of philanthropy] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220718133714/https://www.wnct.com/local-news/youtube-star-greenvilles-own-mrbeast-rethinks-old-notions-of-philanthropy/ |date=July 18, 2022 }}. ''wnct.com''. Retrieved July 18, 2022.</ref>
* Jimmy Donaldson
* MrBeast6000
}}
| origin = [[Greenville, North Carolina]], U.S.<ref>[https://www.wnct.com/local-news/youtube-star-greenvilles-own-mrbeast-rethinks-old-notions-of-philanthropy/ YouTube star, Greenville's own MrBeast rethinks old notions of philanthropy] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220718133714/https://www.wnct.com/local-news/youtube-star-greenvilles-own-mrbeast-rethinks-old-notions-of-philanthropy/ |date=July 18, 2022 }}. ''Wnct.com''. Retrieved July 18, 2022.</ref>
| education = Greenville Christian Academy
| occupation = {{flatlist|
| occupation = {{flatlist|
* [[YouTuber]]
* [[YouTuber]]
* [[entrepreneur]]
* [[Businessperson|businessman]]
* [[influencer]]
* [[Philanthropy|philanthropist]]
}}
}}
| channel_direct_url = MrBeast6000
| channels = {{ubl
| [https://youtube.com/user/MrBeast6000 MrBeast]
| channel_display_name = MrBeast
| years_active = 2012–present
| [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIPPMRA040LQr5QPyJEbmXA MrBeast Gaming]
| [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUaT_39o1x6qWjz7K2pWcgw Beast Reacts]
| [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4-79UOlP48-QNGgCko5p2g MrBeast 2]
| [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAiLfjNXkNv24uhpzUgPa6A Beast Philanthropy]
}}
| years_active = 2012–present<ref name=":6" />
| genre = {{flatlist|
| genre = {{flatlist|
* Challenge
* Comedy
* [[vlog]]
* entertainment
* [[vlog]]s
* [[Gameplay|gaming]]
* [[Reaction video|react]]
* gaming
* reaction
}}
| subscribers = {{Plainlist|
* 136 million (main channel)
* {{Rounddown|{{Sum|136|31.4|21.9|19.8|11.9}}}} million (combined){{notetag|Only the five main channels are included: MrBeast, MrBeast Gaming, Beast Reacts, MrBeast 2 and Beast Philanthropy.}}
}}
}}
| subscribers = {{plainlist|
* 337 million (main channel)
* 47.5 million (MrBeast 2)
* 26.9 million (Beast Philanthropy)
* 46 million (MrBeast Gaming)
* 35.1 million (Beast Reacts)
}} <!-- PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE WITHOUT UPDATING stats_update BELOW -->
| views = {{Plainlist|
| views = {{Plainlist|
* 23 billion (main channel)
* 67.2 billion (main channel)
* {{Rounddown|{{Sum|23|5.51|3.36|3.01|0.180}}}} billion (combined)
* 7.093 billion (MrBeast 2)
* 1.013 billion (Beast Philanthropy)
}}
* 8.397 billion (MrBeast Gaming)
| stats_update = February 28, 2023
* 6.451 billion (Beast Reacts)
| signature =
}} <!-- PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE WITHOUT UPDATING stats_update BELOW -->
| channel_name =
| stats_update = December 20, 2024
| associated_acts = <!-- Do not add creators not mentioned in the body of the article. See WP:INFOBOX --> {{flatlist|
| associated_acts = <!-- Do not add creators not mentioned in the body of the article. See WP:INFOBOX --> {{flatlist|
* [[Karl Jacobs]]
* [[PewDiePie]]
* [[PewDiePie]]
* [[Marques Brownlee]]
* [[Marques Brownlee]]
* [[Jay Leno]]
* [[Mark Rober]]
* [[Mark Rober]]
* [[Dream (YouTuber)|Dream]]
* [[Gordon Ramsay]]
* [[Cr1TiKaL]]
* [[Airrack]]
}}
}}
| silver_button = yes
| silver_button = yes
| silver_year = 2016<ref>{{Cite web |last=Donaldson |first=Jimmy |date=July 8, 2016 |title=100,000 SUBSCRIBERS.EXE |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5J6-5g2alp8 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/5J6-5g2alp8 |archive-date=October 30, 2021 |access-date=November 13, 2019 |website=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
| silver_year = 2016<ref>{{Cite web |last=Donaldson |first=James Stephen |date=July 8, 2016 |title=100,000 SUBSCRIBERS.EXE |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5J6-5g2alp8 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/5J6-5g2alp8 |archive-date=October 30, 2021 |access-date=November 13, 2019 |website=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
| gold_button = yes
| gold_button = yes
| gold_year = 2017<ref name="mrbeastbuttons">{{Cite web |title=MrBeast's YouTube stats |url=https://socialblade.com/youtube/user/mrbeast6000/monthly |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727105110/https://socialblade.com/youtube/user/mrbeast6000/monthly |archive-date=July 27, 2022 |access-date=July 28, 2022 |website=Social Blade}}</ref>
| gold_year = 2017<ref name="mrbeastbuttons">{{Cite web |title=MrBeast's YouTube stats |url=https://socialblade.com/youtube/user/mrbeast6000/monthly |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727105110/https://socialblade.com/youtube/user/mrbeast6000/monthly |archive-date=July 27, 2022 |access-date=July 28, 2022 |website=Social Blade}}</ref>
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| red_diamond_button = yes
| red_diamond_button = yes
| red_diamond_year = 2022
| red_diamond_year = 2022
| website = {{Plainlist|
| signature = MrBeast signature.svg
| signature_size = 80px
* {{URL|https://shopmrbeast.com|Shop}}
* {{URL|https://beastphilanthropy.org|Philanthropy}}
| website = {{URL|https://mrbeast.store}}
| expand = yes
* {{URL|https://shopbeastphilanthropy.com|Philanthropy&nbsp;Shop}}
* {{URL|https://mrbeastburger.com|MrBeast Burger}}
* {{URL|https://mrbeastjobs.com|Jobs}}
* {{URL|https://feastables.com|Feastables}}
}}
| module = {{Listen|pos=center|embed=yes|filename= Mr Beast.ogg|title=Jimmy Donaldson's voice|type=speech|description=At the [[2022 Kids' Choice Awards]]<br/>Recorded April 2022}}
| module = {{Listen|pos=center|embed=yes|filename= Mr Beast.ogg|title=Jimmy Donaldson's voice|type=speech|description=At the [[2022 Kids' Choice Awards]]<br/>Recorded April 2022}}
}}
}}
{{MrBeast series}}
'''James Stephen''' "'''Jimmy'''"<!-- Consensus was reached to include this nickname, see [[Talk:MrBeast#RfC_"Jimmy_Donaldson"]] --> '''Donaldson'''{{Efn|name="name"|Attributed to multiple sources.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Raiken |first=Amber |date=August 1, 2023 |title=YouTube star MrBeast sues his food-delivery service over 'inedible' and 'poor quality' items |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/mrbeast-youtuber-food-delivery-service-lawsuit-b2385784.html |access-date=June 3, 2024 |work=[[The Independent]] |language=en |archive-date=June 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240603225003/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/mrbeast-youtuber-food-delivery-service-lawsuit-b2385784.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Duffy |first=Clare |date=January 23, 2024 |title=MrBeast tested Elon Musk's theory and took home $250,000 {{!}} CNN Business |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/23/tech/mr-beast-x-video-worth/index.html |access-date=June 3, 2024 |website=[[CNN]] |language=en |archive-date=June 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240603225003/https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/23/tech/mr-beast-x-video-worth/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-06 |title=First person to reach 1 million followers on Threads {{!}} Guinness World Records |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/754864-first-person-to-reach-1-million-followers-on-threads |access-date=2024-08-10 |website=[[Guinness World Records]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=North Carolina Secretary of State |author-link=North Carolina Secretary of State |title=Registered Agent James Stephen Donaldson |url=https://www.sosnc.gov/online_services/Search/Business_Registration_profile?Id=13727036 |access-date=June 11, 2023 |website=sosnc.gov |archive-date=June 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230611112332/https://www.sosnc.gov/online_services/Search/Business_Registration_profile?Id=13727036 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=MrBeastStaff |date=October 23, 2022 |title=James Stephen Donaldson |url=http://www.reddit.com/r/MrBeast/comments/yb9jqv/what_is_mrbeasts_actual_name/itfl6py/ |access-date=June 10, 2023 |website=r/MrBeast |archive-date=June 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230611093026/https://www.reddit.com/r/MrBeast/comments/yb9jqv/what_is_mrbeasts_actual_name/itfl6py/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> One source spells Donaldson's middle name "Steven."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Karl |first=Chris |date=November 30, 2021 |title=How MrBeast's Squid Game Was Made Revealed In BTS Video |url=https://screenrant.com/mr-beast-squid-game-show-making-bts-video/ |access-date=May 30, 2023 |website=[[Screen Rant]] |language=en |archive-date=May 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230530184735/https://screenrant.com/mr-beast-squid-game-show-making-bts-video/ |url-status=live }}</ref>}}<!-- sourced in footnote --> (born May 7, 1998), better known by his online alias '''MrBeast''', is an American YouTuber, [[internet personality]], and businessman. He is known for his fast-paced and high-production videos featuring elaborate challenges and lucrative giveaways.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lloyd |first1=Andrew |last2=Cheong |first2=Charissa |last3=Theil |first3=Michele |date=November 16, 2022 |title=From fan to friendly rival, here's how MrBeast's 10-year journey to overtake PewDiePie as YouTube's biggest creator finally paid off |url=https://www.insider.com/mrbeast-pewdiepie-relationship-history-biggest-youtubers-2022-11 |access-date=November 25, 2023 |work=Insider}}</ref> With over 330 million subscribers, he has the [[List of most-subscribed YouTube channels|most subscribers]] of any YouTube channel,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Wes |date=2024-06-02 |title=PewDiePie 'avenged' as MrBeast becomes YouTube's most-subscribed channel |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/6/2/24170045/mrbeast-youtube-most-subscribed-channel-t-series-pewdiepie |access-date=2024-08-24 |website=The Verge |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-07-11 |title=MrBeast becomes first Youtuber to hit 300 million subscribers |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/mrbeast-becomes-first-youtuber-to-hit-300-million-subscribers/articleshow/111654205.cms |access-date=2024-08-24 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> and is the [[List of most-followed TikTok accounts|third-most-followed creator]] on [[TikTok]] with over 104 million followers. He also has over 60 million followers on [[Instagram]] and 30.9 million on [[Twitter|X]] (formerly Twitter).


Donaldson grew up in [[Greenville, North Carolina]]. He began posting videos to YouTube in early 2012<ref name="NightMedia">{{Cite web |date=January 23, 2019 |title=Night Media Signs Top Influencer, 'MrBeast' |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190123005544/en/Night-Media-Signs-Top-Influencer-%E2%80%9CMrBeast%E2%80%9D |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526074211/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190123005544/en/Night-Media-Signs-Top-Influencer-%E2%80%9CMrBeast%E2%80%9D |archive-date=May 26, 2019 |access-date=May 26, 2019 |website=Business Wire}}</ref> under the handle {{em|MrBeast6000}}. His early content ranged from [[Let's Play]]s to "videos estimating the wealth of other YouTubers".<ref name="Newsweek">{{Cite news |last=Asarch |first=Steven |date=April 2, 2019 |title=How YouTuber MrBeast Pulled Off a Real-life Battle Royale in three Weeks |work=[[Newsweek]] |url=https://www.newsweek.com/mrbeast-youtube-interview-how-did-youtuber-make-money-battle-royale-airsoft-1383921 |url-status=live |access-date=May 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191109164325/https://www.newsweek.com/mrbeast-youtube-interview-how-did-youtuber-make-money-battle-royale-airsoft-1383921 |archive-date=November 9, 2019}}</ref> He went viral in 2017 after his "counting to 100,000" video earned tens of thousands of views in just a few days. His videos have become increasingly grand and extravagant.<ref name=":16"/> Once his channel took off, Donaldson hired some of his childhood friends to co-run the brand. Donaldson also runs the YouTube channels Beast Reacts (formerly BeastHacks), MrBeast Gaming, MrBeast 2 (formerly MrBeast Shorts),<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 5, 2022 |title=MrBeast Shorts - YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4-79UOlP48-QNGgCko5p2g |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221105184855/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4-79UOlP48-QNGgCko5p2g |archive-date=November 5, 2022 |access-date=November 11, 2022 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> and the [[philanthropy]] channel Beast Philanthropy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Weiss |first=Geoff |date=May 15, 2020 |title=MrBeast Just Launched A Gaming Channel. Now He's Looking To Hire An Editor. |url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2020/05/15/mrbeast-launches-new-gaming-channel/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111175805/https://www.tubefilter.com/2020/05/15/mrbeast-launches-new-gaming-channel/ |archive-date=January 11, 2021 |access-date=January 5, 2021 |website=Tubefilter}}</ref><ref name=":14">{{Cite web |title=Beast Philanthropy Official Site - Help End Hunger |url=https://www.beastphilanthropy.org/ |access-date=July 16, 2022 |website=Beastphilanthropy.org |archive-date=June 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625002934/https://www.beastphilanthropy.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
'''Jimmy Donaldson''' (born May 7, 1998), better known as '''MrBeast''', is an American [[YouTuber]] and [[philanthropist]]. He is credited with pioneering a genre of YouTube videos that centers on expensive stunts.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Alexander |first=Julia |date=October 25, 2019 |title=MrBeast changed YouTube and launched an entire genre of expensive stunt content |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/10/25/20924718/mrbeast-youtube-stunts-challenges-money-philanthropy-creators-morgz |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218170709/https://www.theverge.com/2019/10/25/20924718/mrbeast-youtube-stunts-challenges-money-philanthropy-creators-morgz |archive-date=December 18, 2019 |access-date=March 14, 2020 |website=The Verge}}</ref> His YouTube channel reached 130 million subscribers in January 2023,<!-- Do not add subscriber counts sourced to the channels themselves. Instead, use reliable secondary sources. --><ref>{{Cite web |last=Placido|first=Dani di|date=January 30, 2023 |title=MrBeast Cured The Blind, And Sparked A Fierce Debate |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/danidiplacido/2023/01/30/mrbeast-cured-the-blind-and-sparked-a-fierce-ethics-debate/?sh=73004d9e214d |access-date=February 1, 2023 |website=[[Forbes (magazine)|Forbes]]}}</ref> making it the [[List of most-subscribed YouTube channels|fourth-most-subscribed]] on the platform.{{notetag|However, the MrBeast channel is considered by some<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 17, 2022 |title=Mr Beast now most-subscribed YouTuber ever, overtaking PewDiePie |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2022/11/mr-beast-now-most-subscribed-youtuber-ever-overtaking-pewdiepie-726321 |access-date=November 19, 2022 |website=Guinness World Records |language=en-gb}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=July 29, 2022 |title=YouTube star MrBeast just became the 2nd person in the world to reach 100 million subscribers and livestreamed the moment he found out |url=https://www.insider.com/mrbeast-100-million-youtube-subscribers-reaction-livestream-2022-7 |access-date=July 29, 2022 |website=Insider |language=en-gb}}</ref> to be the most-subscribed channel on the platform that is run mostly by an individual [[YouTuber]], as [[T-Series (company)|T-Series]], [[Cocomelon]], and [[Sony Entertainment Television|SET India]] (the first, second, and third-most-subscribed channels respectively) are all owned and managed by third-party companies.}}

Donaldson began posting videos to YouTube in early 2012 at the age of 13<ref name="NightMedia">{{Cite web |date=January 23, 2019 |title=Night Media Signs Top Influencer, 'MrBeast' |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190123005544/en/Night-Media-Signs-Top-Influencer-%E2%80%9CMrBeast%E2%80%9D |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526074211/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190123005544/en/Night-Media-Signs-Top-Influencer-%E2%80%9CMrBeast%E2%80%9D |archive-date=May 26, 2019 |access-date=May 26, 2019 |website=Business Wire}}</ref> under the handle MrBeast6000; his early content ranged from [[Let's Play]]s to "videos estimating the wealth of other YouTubers."<ref name="Newsweek">{{Cite news |last=Asarch |first=Steven |date=April 2, 2019 |title=How YouTuber MrBeast Pulled Off a Real-life Battle Royale in three Weeks |work=[[Newsweek]] |url=https://www.newsweek.com/mrbeast-youtube-interview-how-did-youtuber-make-money-battle-royale-airsoft-1383921 |url-status=live |access-date=May 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191109164325/https://www.newsweek.com/mrbeast-youtube-interview-how-did-youtuber-make-money-battle-royale-airsoft-1383921 |archive-date=November 9, 2019}}</ref> He went [[Viral video|viral]] in 2017 after his "counting to 100,000" video earned tens of thousands of views in just a few days, and he has become increasingly popular ever since, with most of his videos gaining tens of millions of views.<ref name="Newsweek" /> Over time, his style of content diversified to include challenge and donation videos that reward thousands of dollars, videos with arduous tasks or survival challenges, and original vlogs.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harris |first=Paige Leskin, Margot |title=How 22-year-old YouTube star MrBeast found success through elaborate stunts and giveaways |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/mrbeast-youtube-jimmy-donaldson-net-worth-life-career-challenges-teamtrees-2019-11 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201225224118/https://www.businessinsider.com/mrbeast-youtube-jimmy-donaldson-net-worth-life-career-challenges-teamtrees-2019-11 |archive-date=December 25, 2020 |access-date=January 5, 2021 |website=Business Insider}}</ref> Once his channel took off, Donaldson hired several of his childhood friends to help him run the growing brand. As of 2022, the MrBeast team is made up of 30 people, including Donaldson himself.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cacich |first=Allison |date=March 25, 2020 |title=YouTuber MrBeast Reached 30 Million Subscribers With a Little Help From His Friends |url=https://www.distractify.com/p/mrbeast-crew |access-date=November 11, 2022 |website=Distractify |language=en-US}}</ref>


Other than MrBeast, Donaldson runs the YouTube channels Beast Reacts, MrBeast Gaming, MrBeast 2 (formerly MrBeast Shorts),<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 5, 2022 |title=MrBeast Shorts - YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4-79UOlP48-QNGgCko5p2g |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221105184855/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4-79UOlP48-QNGgCko5p2g |archive-date=November 5, 2022 |access-date=November 11, 2022 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> and the [[philanthropy]] channel Beast Philanthropy.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 15, 2020 |title=MrBeast Just Launched A Gaming Channel. Now He's Looking To Hire An Editor. |url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2020/05/15/mrbeast-launches-new-gaming-channel/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111175805/https://www.tubefilter.com/2020/05/15/mrbeast-launches-new-gaming-channel/ |archive-date=January 11, 2021 |access-date=January 5, 2021 |website=Tubefilter}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Beast Philanthropy Official Site - Help End Hunger |url=https://www.beastphilanthropy.org/ |access-date=July 16, 2022 |website=Beastphilanthropy.org}}</ref> He formerly ran MrBeast 3 (initially MrBeast 2), which is now inactive.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MrBeast 3 - YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZzvDDvaYti8Dd8bLEiSoyQ/about |access-date=November 11, 2022 |website=www.youtube.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=October 31, 2022 |title=MrBeast 2 - YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZzvDDvaYti8Dd8bLEiSoyQ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031160825/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZzvDDvaYti8Dd8bLEiSoyQ |archive-date=October 31, 2022 |access-date=November 11, 2022 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> He was also one of the 10 highest-paid YouTubers of 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schifano |first=Izzy |date=December 23, 2020 |title=Introducing the YouTube rich list: The top 10 highest-paid YouTubers of 2020 |url=https://thetab.com/uk/2020/12/23/youtube-rich-list-the-10-highest-paid-youtubers-of-2020-187398 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201224205451/https://thetab.com/uk/2020/12/23/youtube-rich-list-the-10-highest-paid-youtubers-of-2020-187398 |archive-date=December 24, 2020 |access-date=January 5, 2021 |website=The Tab |language=en-GB}}</ref> Donaldson is also the founder of [[MrBeast Burger]] and Feastables, and a co-creator of [[Team Trees]], a fundraiser for the [[Arbor Day Foundation]] that has raised over $23 million,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Help Us Plant 20 Million Trees – Join #TeamTrees |url=https://teamtrees.org/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200517210957/https://teamtrees.org/ |archive-date=May 17, 2020 |access-date=May 17, 2020 |website=teamtrees.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Leskin |first=Paige |date=December 19, 2019 |title=YouTuber MrBeast's tree-planting campaign reached its goal of raising $20 million. Here's the list of prominent people who have donated, including Elon Musk, Jeffree Star, and even the CEO of YouTube. |work=Business Insider |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-pewdiepie-jeffree-star-donate-mrbeast-youtube-tree-planting-2019-10 |url-status=live |access-date=May 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200209061044/https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-pewdiepie-jeffree-star-donate-mrbeast-youtube-tree-planting-2019-10 |archive-date=February 9, 2020}}</ref> and [[Team Seas]], a fundraiser for [[Ocean Conservancy]] and [[The Ocean Cleanup]] that has raised over $30 million.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Team Seas |url=https://teamseas.org/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209151757/https://teamseas.org/ |archive-date=February 9, 2022 |access-date=February 9, 2022 |website=teamseas.org}}</ref> Donaldson won Creator of the Year award three times at the [[Streamy Awards]] in 2020, 2021, and 2022; he also won the Favorite Male Creator award at the [[2022 Kids' Choice Awards]].
Donaldson is the founder of [[MrBeast Burger]], [[Feastables]], and a co-founder of [[Team Trees]], a fundraiser for the [[Arbor Day Foundation]] that has raised over $24&nbsp;million for its campaigns, and [[Lunchly]], a food and snack brand similar to [[Lunchables]].<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web |title=Help Us Plant 20 Million Trees – Join #TeamTrees |url=https://teamtrees.org/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200517210957/https://teamtrees.org/ |archive-date=May 17, 2020 |access-date=May 17, 2020 |website=teamtrees.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Leskin |first=Paige |date=December 19, 2019 |title=YouTuber MrBeast's tree-planting campaign reached its goal of raising $20 million. Here's the list of prominent people who have donated, including Elon Musk, Jeffree Star, and even the CEO of YouTube. |work=Business Insider |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-pewdiepie-jeffree-star-donate-mrbeast-youtube-tree-planting-2019-10 |url-status=live |access-date=May 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200209061044/https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-pewdiepie-jeffree-star-donate-mrbeast-youtube-tree-planting-2019-10 |archive-date=February 9, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lunchly |title=About |url=https://lunchly.com/pages/about |access-date=2024-09-18 |website=Lunchly |language=en}}</ref> He also co-founded [[Team Seas]], a fundraiser for [[Ocean Conservancy]] and [[The Ocean Cleanup]] that has raised over $30&nbsp;million.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Team Seas |url=https://teamseas.org/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209151757/https://teamseas.org/ |archive-date=February 9, 2022 |access-date=February 9, 2022 |website=teamseas.org}}</ref> Donaldson won the Creator of the Year award four years in a row at the [[Streamy Awards]] in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023; he also won the Favorite Male Creator award three times at the [[2022 Kids' Choice Awards|2022]], [[2023 Kids' Choice Awards|2023]], and [[2024 Kids' Choice Awards|2024 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards]]. In 2023, ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' named him as one of [[Time 100|the world's 100 most influential people]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://time.com/collection/100-most-influential-people-2023/ |title=Time 100 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=April 13, 2023 |access-date=April 13, 2023 |archive-date=April 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413151502/https://time.com/collection/100-most-influential-people-2023/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He has ranked on the ''[[Forbes]]'' list for the highest-paid YouTube creator in 2022<ref name="auto2">{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Abram |title=The Highest-Paid YouTube Stars: MrBeast, Jake Paul And Markiplier Score Massive Paydays |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/abrambrown/2022/01/14/the-highest-paid-youtube-stars-mrbeast-jake-paul-and-markiplier-score-massive-paydays/ |access-date=August 25, 2023 |website=Forbes |language=en |archive-date=January 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220117180838/https://www.forbes.com/sites/abrambrown/2022/01/14/the-highest-paid-youtube-stars-mrbeast-jake-paul-and-markiplier-score-massive-paydays/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and has an estimated net worth of $500&nbsp;million.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sorvino |first=Chloe |date=November 30, 2022 |title=Could MrBeast Be The First YouTuber Billionaire? |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/chloesorvino/2022/11/30/could-mrbeast-be-the-first-youtuber-billionaire/ |access-date=June 4, 2023 |website=[[Forbes]] |archive-date=June 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603225717/https://www.forbes.com/sites/chloesorvino/2022/11/30/could-mrbeast-be-the-first-youtuber-billionaire/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


In September 2024, Donaldson was one of the subjects of [[Beast Games lawsuit|a class action lawsuit]] that alleged widespread mistreatment, sexual harassment, and unpaid expenses and wages on his upcoming reality television series ''[[Beast Games]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gerken |first=Tom |date=22 September 2024 |title=MrBeast: Inside the scandal facing King of YouTube |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckgn8d04kdko |access-date=2024-10-06 |publisher=BBC |language=en-GB}}</ref>
== Early life and family ==
Jimmy Donaldson<ref>{{Cite web |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=July 28, 2022 |title=MrBeast Tops 100 Million YouTube Subscribers: 'I Hope to Do YouTube Until the Day I Die' |url=https://variety.com/2022/digital/news/mrbeast-100-million-youtube-subscribers-1235328739/ |access-date=December 28, 2022 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> was born on May 7, 1998,<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 23, 2020 |title=MrBeast makes a name for himself with expensive stunts and philanthropy |url=https://www.yahoo.com/now/mrbeast-makes-name-himself-expensive-190833226.html |access-date=December 28, 2022 |website=yahoo.com}}</ref> in [[Wichita, Kansas]].<ref name="Stokel-Walker 2022">{{cite web |last=Stokel-Walker |first=Chris |title=New YouTube king MrBeast: amateur poster who became $54m-a-year pro |website=The Guardian |date=November 18, 2022 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/nov/18/new-youtube-king-mrbeast-amateur-poster-who-became-54m-a-year-pro |access-date=February 9, 2023}}</ref> He was mainly raised alongside his older brother Charles "C.J." Donaldson in [[Greenville, North Carolina]]. In 2016, Donaldson graduated from Greenville Christian Academy, a private high school in the area. Donaldson has publicly mentioned being diagnosed with [[Crohn's disease]] during high school.<ref>{{Citation |title=#1788 - Mr. Beast |date=March 7, 2022 |url=https://open.spotify.com/episode/5lokpznqvSrJO3gButgQvs |language=en |access-date=December 23, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Raphael |first=Shannon |date=December 18, 2020 |title=What Disease Does YouTuber MrBeast Have? |url=https://www.distractify.com/p/mrbeast-disease |access-date=December 23, 2022 |website=Distractify |language=en-US}}</ref> He briefly attended [[East Carolina University]] before [[dropping out]].<ref name="SCMP 2021" /><ref name="BNC">{{Cite news |last=Wanbaugh |first=Taylor |date=July 30, 2018 |title=Greenville YouTuber MrBeast racks up millions of views |work=Business North Carolina |url=http://businessnc.com/greenville-youtuber-mrbeast-racks-up-millions-of-views/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191007221625/https://businessnc.com/greenville-youtuber-mrbeast-racks-up-millions-of-views/ |archive-date=October 7, 2019}}</ref> Donaldson's brother is also a YouTuber, who goes by CjTheseDays, and has more than 4.29 million subscribers as of November 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MrBro - YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/c/MrBroyt/videos |access-date=June 10, 2022 |via=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>


==Early life==
== YouTube career ==
James Stephen Donaldson{{efn|name="name"}} was born on May 7, 1998,<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 23, 2020 |title=MrBeast makes a name for himself with expensive stunts and philanthropy |url=https://www.yahoo.com/now/mrbeast-makes-name-himself-expensive-190833226.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221228192036/https://www.yahoo.com/now/mrbeast-makes-name-himself-expensive-190833226.html |archive-date=December 28, 2022 |access-date=December 28, 2022 |website=In The Know (Yahoo!)}}</ref> in [[Wichita, Kansas]].<ref name="Stokel-Walker 2022">{{cite web |last=Stokel-Walker |first=Chris |title=New YouTube king MrBeast: amateur poster who became $54m-a-year pro |website=The Guardian |date=November 18, 2022 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/nov/18/new-youtube-king-mrbeast-amateur-poster-who-became-54m-a-year-pro |access-date=February 9, 2023 |archive-date=September 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230906051647/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/nov/18/new-youtube-king-mrbeast-amateur-poster-who-became-54m-a-year-pro |url-status=live }}</ref> He was mainly raised in [[Greenville, North Carolina]].<ref name=":7">{{Cite magazine |last=Dickson |first=Ej |date=April 19, 2022 |title=Is MrBeast for Real? Inside the Outrageous World of YouTube's Cash-Happy Stunt King |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/mrbeast-youtube-cover-story-interview-1334604/ |access-date=July 7, 2023 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US |archive-date=April 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220420123848/https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/mrbeast-youtube-cover-story-interview-1334604/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="auto3">{{Cite web |last=Delouya |first=Paige Leskin, Samantha |title=Who is MrBeast? Meet the 24-year-old YouTube star who's famous for giving away millions of dollars to strangers. |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/mrbeast-youtube-jimmy-donaldson-net-worth-life-career-challenges-teamtrees-2019-11 |access-date=August 5, 2023 |website=Business Insider |date=June 16, 2019 |language=en-US |archive-date=December 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201225224118/https://www.businessinsider.com/mrbeast-youtube-jimmy-donaldson-net-worth-life-career-challenges-teamtrees-2019-11 |url-status=live }}</ref> He moved often and was under the care of [[au pair]]s due to his parents working long hours and serving in the military. His parents divorced in 2007.<ref name=":7" /> In 2016, Donaldson graduated from Greenville Christian Academy, a small private [[evangelical Christian]] high school in the area. He briefly attended [[East Carolina University]] before [[dropping out]].<ref name="SCMP 2021" /><ref name="BNC">{{Cite news |last=Wanbaugh |first=Taylor |date=July 30, 2018 |title=Greenville YouTuber MrBeast racks up millions of views |work=Business North Carolina |url=http://businessnc.com/greenville-youtuber-mrbeast-racks-up-millions-of-views/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191007221625/https://businessnc.com/greenville-youtuber-mrbeast-racks-up-millions-of-views/ |archive-date=October 7, 2019}}</ref> While at Greenville Christian, Donaldson played baseball as an [[outfielder]] for several years.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jimmy Donaldson's Baseball Stats |url=https://www.maxpreps.com/nc/greenville/greenville-christian-academy-knights/athletes/jimmy-donaldson/baseball/stats/?careerid=sj2vii81b0sdd |access-date=June 4, 2024 |website=www.maxpreps.com |language=en |archive-date=June 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240604121931/https://www.maxpreps.com/nc/greenville/greenville-christian-academy-knights/athletes/jimmy-donaldson/baseball/stats/?careerid=sj2vii81b0sdd |url-status=live }}</ref> After dropping out of college, Donaldson and his friends tried to analyze YouTube's recommendation algorithm and sought to deduce how to create viral videos.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last1=Shaw |first1=Lucas |last2=Bergen |first2=Mark |date=January 1, 2021 |title=How a kid cracked YouTube's secret code |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/life/2021/01/01/how-kid-cracked-youtubes-secret-code/4100868001/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107022444/https://www.detroitnews.com/story/life/2021/01/01/how-kid-cracked-youtubes-secret-code/4100868001/ |archive-date=November 7, 2021 |access-date=February 24, 2022 |website=[[The Detroit News]] |language=en-US}}</ref> Donaldson recalled during this period, "There's a five-year point in my life where I was just relentlessly, unhealthily obsessed with studying virality, studying the YouTube algorithm. I woke up. I would [[Uber Eats]] food. And then I would sit on my computer all day just studying shit nonstop with [other YouTubers]."<ref name=":7" />
=== Early viral attempts (2012–2017) ===
[[File:Chris Tyson 2019.jpg|thumb|upright|alt=Chris Tyson|Chris Tyson, prominent in many MrBeast videos]]


==YouTube career==
Donaldson uploaded his first YouTube video in February 2012, at the age of 13, under the handle "MrBeast6000"; his early content ranged from [[Let's Play]]s (mainly focused on ''[[Minecraft]]'' and ''[[Call of Duty: Black Ops II]]''),<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |title=21-year-old YouTuber MrBeast was one of the most-viewed YouTube creators in 2019 – check out how he got his start and found success with elaborate stunts and giveaways |url=https://www.businessinsider.in/entertainment/news/21-year-old-youtuber-mrbeast-was-one-of-the-most-viewed-youtube-creators-in-2019-check-out-how-he-got-his-start-and-found-success-with-elaborate-stunts-and-giveaways/articleshow/72480478.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206152534/https://www.businessinsider.in/entertainment/news/21-year-old-youtuber-mrbeast-was-one-of-the-most-viewed-youtube-creators-in-2019-check-out-how-he-got-his-start-and-found-success-with-elaborate-stunts-and-giveaways/articleshow/72480478.cms |archive-date=December 6, 2021 |access-date=September 1, 2021 |website=Business Insider}}</ref> videos estimating the wealth of other YouTubers,<ref name=":4" /> videos that offered tips to upcoming YouTube creators, and commentary on YouTube drama. Donaldson appeared only infrequently in these videos.<ref name=":6" /> In July 2013, the subscriber count of his channel, then named "That-dude", was around 240.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 21, 2013 |title=That-dude (MrBeast6000) channel page |url=https://www.youtube.com/user/MrBeast6000?feature=mhee |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130721231021/https://www.youtube.com/user/MrBeast6000?feature=mhee |archive-date=July 21, 2013 |access-date=May 29, 2021 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>
===2012–2017: Early viral attempts===
[[File:Mr. Beast crew as of July 29 2024.jpg|thumb|Current members of the MrBeast crew. From left to right: [[Karl Jacobs]], Nolan Hansen, and Chandler Hallow]]
Donaldson uploaded his first YouTube video in February 2012, at the age of 13, under the name of "MrBeast6000".<ref name=":6" /> His early content ranged from [[Let's Play]]s, mainly focused on ''[[Minecraft]]'' and ''[[Call of Duty: Black Ops II]]'',<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |title=21-year-old YouTuber MrBeast was one of the most-viewed YouTube creators in 2019 – check out how he got his start and found success with elaborate stunts and giveaways |url=https://www.businessinsider.in/entertainment/news/21-year-old-youtuber-mrbeast-was-one-of-the-most-viewed-youtube-creators-in-2019-check-out-how-he-got-his-start-and-found-success-with-elaborate-stunts-and-giveaways/articleshow/72480478.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206152534/https://www.businessinsider.in/entertainment/news/21-year-old-youtuber-mrbeast-was-one-of-the-most-viewed-youtube-creators-in-2019-check-out-how-he-got-his-start-and-found-success-with-elaborate-stunts-and-giveaways/articleshow/72480478.cms |archive-date=December 6, 2021 |access-date=September 1, 2021 |website=Business Insider}}</ref> videos estimating the wealth of other [[YouTuber|YouTubers]],<ref name=":4" /> videos that offered tips to upcoming YouTube creators, and commentary on YouTube drama. Donaldson appeared infrequently in these videos.<ref name=":6" />


In 2015 and 2016, Donaldson began to gain popularity with his "Worst intros on YouTube" series poking fun at YouTube video introductions.<ref>{{Citation |last=MrBeast |title=WORST INTROS EVER |date=December 2, 2016 |url=http://archive.org/details/20210519_20210519_1740 |access-date=November 2, 2022}}</ref> By mid-2016, Donaldson had around 30,000 subscribers. In fall 2016, Donaldson dropped out of [[East Carolina University]] to pursue a full-time career as a YouTuber.<ref name="Newsweek" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Shaw |first=Lucas |last2=Bergen |first2=Mark |date=December 22, 2020 |title=The North Carolina Kid Who Cracked YouTube's Secret Code |work=Bloomberg.com |publisher=Bloomberg |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-12-22/who-is-mrbeast-meet-youtube-s-top-creator-of-2020 |url-status=live |access-date=December 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201223060415/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-12-22/who-is-mrbeast-meet-youtube-s-top-creator-of-2020 |archive-date=December 23, 2020}}</ref> His mother did not approve of this and made him move out of the family home.<ref name="SCMP 2021">{{Cite web |date=May 11, 2021 |title=Is MrBeast the world's most controversial YouTuber? |url=https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3132914/mrbeast-worlds-most-controversial-youtuber-meet-22-year |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511185546/https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3132914/mrbeast-worlds-most-controversial-youtuber-meet-22-year |archive-date=May 11, 2021 |access-date=May 11, 2021 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}</ref>
In 2015 and 2016, Donaldson began to gain popularity with his "Worst Intros on YouTube" series poking fun at YouTube video introductions.<ref name=":6" /> By mid-2016, Donaldson had around 30,000 subscribers. In the fall of that year, Donaldson dropped out of [[East Carolina University]] to pursue a full-time career as a YouTuber.<ref name="Newsweek" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last1=Shaw |first1=Lucas |last2=Bergen |first2=Mark |date=December 22, 2020 |title=The North Carolina Kid Who Cracked YouTube's Secret Code |work=Bloomberg.com |publisher=Bloomberg |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-12-22/who-is-mrbeast-meet-youtube-s-top-creator-of-2020 |url-status=live |access-date=December 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201223060415/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-12-22/who-is-mrbeast-meet-youtube-s-top-creator-of-2020 |archive-date=December 23, 2020}}</ref> His mother disapproved of his decision and made him move out of the family home.<ref name="SCMP 2021">{{Cite web |date=May 11, 2021 |title=Is MrBeast the world's most controversial YouTuber? |url=https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3132914/mrbeast-worlds-most-controversial-youtuber-meet-22-year |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511185546/https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3132914/mrbeast-worlds-most-controversial-youtuber-meet-22-year |archive-date=May 11, 2021 |access-date=May 11, 2021 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}</ref>


As his channel grew, Donaldson hired four childhood friends – Chris Tyson, Chandler Hallow, Garrett Ronalds, and Jake Franklin – to contribute to his channel.<ref name="SCMP 2021" /> They then contacted numerous YouTubers in order to obtain statistics of their successful videos and predicting the platform's recommendation system.<ref name=":0" />{{clarify|date=April 2022}} Franklin left the crew in 2020; afterwards, [[Karl Jacobs]], previously a cameraman, was promoted to take his place.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Karl Jacobs reveals how a Mr. Beast fluke made him a Minecraft icon |url=https://www.inverse.com/gaming/karl-jacobs-interview-minecraft-mr-beast}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=July 13, 2022 |title=Why Did Jake the Viking Leave MrBeast and What's He up to Now? |url=https://www.distractify.com/p/why-did-jake-leave-mrbeast}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Why I Left MrBeast |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTl8HxAPJf0 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>
As his channel grew, Donaldson hired four childhood friends—Ava Kris Tyson, Chandler Hallow, Garrett Ronalds, and Jake Franklin—to contribute to his channel.<ref name="SCMP 2021" /> Franklin left the crew in 2020. Afterward, [[Karl Jacobs]], previously a cameraman, was promoted to take his place.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Karl Jacobs reveals how a Mr. Beast fluke made him a Minecraft icon |date=March 29, 2022 |url=https://www.inverse.com/gaming/karl-jacobs-interview-minecraft-mr-beast |access-date=August 25, 2022 |archive-date=April 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220416011130/https://www.inverse.com/gaming/karl-jacobs-interview-minecraft-mr-beast |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=July 13, 2022 |title=Why Did Jake the Viking Leave MrBeast and What's He up to Now? |url=https://www.distractify.com/p/why-did-jake-leave-mrbeast |access-date=August 25, 2022 |archive-date=August 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220825194415/https://www.distractify.com/p/why-did-jake-leave-mrbeast |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Why I Left MrBeast |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTl8HxAPJf0 |website=[[YouTube]] | date=April 6, 2020 |access-date=August 25, 2022 |archive-date=August 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220825194415/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTl8HxAPJf0 |url-status=live }}</ref>


=== Rise to fame (2017–2020) ===
===2017–2020: Rise to fame===
[[File:MrBeast 2019.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Donaldson in March 2019]]
[[File:MrBeast.png|thumb|MrBeast in 2018|299x299px]]
In January 2017, Donaldson published an almost day-long video of himself counting to 100,000.<ref name=":9" /> The ordeal took him 40 hours, with some parts sped up to "keep it under 24 hours."<ref name=":9">{{Cite news |last=Farquhar |first=Peter |date=January 12, 2017 |title=Millions of people watched YouTuber 'MrBeast' count to 100,000 |work=[[Business Insider]] |url=https://www.businessinsider.com.au/millions-of-people-have-watched-youtuber-mrbeast-count-to-100000-2017-1 |url-status=dead |access-date=October 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191007221615/https://www.businessinsider.com.au/millions-of-people-have-watched-youtuber-mrbeast-count-to-100000-2017-1 |archive-date=October 7, 2019}}</ref> Donaldson also gained popularity during this period with stunts, such as attempting to break glass using a hundred [[megaphone]]s, watching paint dry for an hour,<ref name="BNC" /> attempting to stay underwater for 24 hours (which ended up failing due to health issues), and an unsuccessful attempt to spin a [[fidget spinner]] for a day.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Grasso |first=Samantha |date=May 28, 2017 |title=Watch these YouTubers attempt to break a fidget spinner record |work=[[Daily Dot]] |url=https://www.dailydot.com/parsec/fidget-spinner-record-youtube/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191007221613/https://www.dailydot.com/parsec/fidget-spinner-record-youtube/ |archive-date=October 7, 2019}}</ref> By 2018, Donaldson had given out $1 million through his outlandish stunts, which earned him the title of "YouTube's biggest philanthropist."<ref name="SCMP 2021" />
In January 2017, Jimmy Donaldson published an almost day-long video of himself counting to 100,000, which became his breakthrough viral video.<ref name=":16">{{Cite journal |last1=Miller |first1=Vincent |last2=Hogg |first2=Eddy |date=March 8, 2023 |title='If you press this, I'll pay': MrBeast, YouTube, and the mobilisation of the audience commodity in the name of charity |journal=Convergence: The International Journal of Research into New Media Technologies |volume=29 |issue=4 |language=en |pages=997–1014 |doi=10.1177/13548565231161810 |s2cid=257461167 |issn=1354-8565|doi-access=free }}</ref> The ordeal took him 40 hours, with some parts sped up to "keep it under 24 hours".<ref name=":9">{{Cite news |last=Farquhar |first=Peter |date=January 12, 2017 |title=Millions of people watched YouTuber 'MrBeast' count to 100,000 |work=[[Business Insider]] |url=https://www.businessinsider.com.au/millions-of-people-have-watched-youtuber-mrbeast-count-to-100000-2017-1 |url-status=dead |access-date=October 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191007221615/https://www.businessinsider.com.au/millions-of-people-have-watched-youtuber-mrbeast-count-to-100000-2017-1 |archive-date=October 7, 2019}}</ref> Donaldson gained popularity during this period with stunts, such as attempting to break glass using a hundred [[megaphone]]s, watching paint dry for an hour,<ref name="BNC" /> staying underwater for 24 hours, which ended up failing due to health issues, and an unsuccessful attempt to spin a [[fidget spinner]] for a day.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Grasso |first=Samantha |date=May 28, 2017 |title=Watch these YouTubers attempt to break a fidget spinner record |work=[[Daily Dot]] |url=https://www.dailydot.com/parsec/fidget-spinner-record-youtube/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191007221613/https://www.dailydot.com/parsec/fidget-spinner-record-youtube/ |archive-date=October 7, 2019}}</ref> By 2018, Donaldson had given out $1&nbsp;million through his stunts, which earned him the title of "YouTube's biggest [[Philanthropy|philanthropist]]".<ref name="SCMP 2021" />


During the [[PewDiePie vs T-Series|PewDiePie vs T-Series rivalry]] in 2018, a competition to become [[List of most-subscribed YouTube channels|the most-subscribed channel on YouTube]], Donaldson bought billboards and numerous television and radio advertisements to help [[PewDiePie]] gain more subscribers than [[T-Series (company)|T-Series]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 29, 2018 |title=YouTuber 'MrBeast' Buys Smorgasbord Of Advertising To Help PewDiePie Stay Ahead Of T-Series |url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2018/10/29/pewdiepie-billboards-entire-town-mrbeast/ |access-date=November 2, 2022 |website=Tubefilter |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mr Beast explains how many ads for Pewdiepie he bought, and what types of ads. |url=https://twitter.com/mrbeast/status/1055928398646784002 |access-date=November 2, 2022 |website=Twitter |language=en}}</ref> During [[Super Bowl LIII]], he bought multiple seats for himself and his team, whose shirts spelled out "Sub 2 PewDiePie."<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 5, 2019 |title=YouTubers MrBeast, Jake Paul spotted at Sup Dogs |work=The East Carolinian |url=http://www.theeastcarolinian.com/arts_and_entertainment/article_82c0df66-2903-11e9-a2cb-13262ce83230.html |url-status=live |access-date=May 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526075433/http://www.theeastcarolinian.com/arts_and_entertainment/article_82c0df66-2903-11e9-a2cb-13262ce83230.html |archive-date=May 26, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Hamilton |first=Isabel Asher |date=February 4, 2019 |title=PewDiePie's war with T-Series hit the Super Bowl, as YouTuber Mr Beast turned up to the game with 'Sub 2 PewDiePie' shirts |work=Business Insider |url=https://www.businessinsider.sg/pewdiepie-war-with-t-series-hits-super-bowl-mr-beast-2019-2/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526075815/https://www.businessinsider.sg/pewdiepie-war-with-t-series-hits-super-bowl-mr-beast-2019-2/ |archive-date=May 26, 2019}}</ref>
During the [[PewDiePie vs T-Series|PewDiePie vs T-Series rivalry]] in 2018, a competition to become the most-subscribed channel on YouTube, Donaldson bought billboards and numerous television and radio advertisements to help [[PewDiePie]] gain more subscribers than [[T-Series (company)|T-Series]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 29, 2018 |title=YouTuber 'MrBeast' Buys Smorgasbord Of Advertising To Help PewDiePie Stay Ahead Of T-Series |url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2018/10/29/pewdiepie-billboards-entire-town-mrbeast/ |access-date=November 2, 2022 |website=Tubefilter |language=en-US |archive-date=November 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181103210630/https://www.tubefilter.com/2018/10/29/pewdiepie-billboards-entire-town-mrbeast/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mr Beast explains how many ads for Pewdiepie he bought, and what types of ads. |url=https://twitter.com/mrbeast/status/1055928398646784002 |access-date=November 2, 2022 |website=Twitter |language=en |archive-date=November 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102142358/https://twitter.com/mrbeast/status/1055928398646784002 |url-status=live }}</ref> During [[Super Bowl LIII]], he bought multiple seats for himself and his team, whose shirts spelled out "Sub 2 PewDiePie".<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 5, 2019 |title=YouTubers MrBeast, Jake Paul spotted at Sup Dogs |work=The East Carolinian |url=http://www.theeastcarolinian.com/arts_and_entertainment/article_82c0df66-2903-11e9-a2cb-13262ce83230.html |url-status=live |access-date=May 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526075433/http://www.theeastcarolinian.com/arts_and_entertainment/article_82c0df66-2903-11e9-a2cb-13262ce83230.html |archive-date=May 26, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Hamilton |first=Isabel Asher |date=February 4, 2019 |title=PewDiePie's war with T-Series hit the Super Bowl, as YouTuber Mr Beast turned up to the game with 'Sub 2 PewDiePie' shirts |work=Business Insider |url=https://www.businessinsider.sg/pewdiepie-war-with-t-series-hits-super-bowl-mr-beast-2019-2/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526075815/https://www.businessinsider.sg/pewdiepie-war-with-t-series-hits-super-bowl-mr-beast-2019-2/ |archive-date=May 26, 2019}}</ref>


In March 2019, Donaldson organized and filmed a real-life [[Battle royale game|battle royale]] competition in Los Angeles with a prize of $200,000 (two games were played, making game earnings of $100,000 for each game) in collaboration with ''[[Apex Legends]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 14, 2019 |title=MrBeast Hosts Real-life Battle Royale Tournament |work=[[Associated Press]] |url=https://www.apnews.com/fa94b3068e03411e86d5240414ec502d |url-status=live |access-date=May 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526074958/https://www.apnews.com/fa94b3068e03411e86d5240414ec502d |archive-date=May 26, 2019}}</ref> The event and prize pool was sponsored by ''Apex Legends'' publisher [[Electronic Arts]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hale |first=James |date=March 13, 2019 |title=MrBeast Drops Video Of Real Life, EA-Sponsored 'Apex Legends' Battle |url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2019/03/13/mrbeast-ea-apex-legends-sponsorship-youtubers/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708223100/https://www.tubefilter.com/2019/03/13/mrbeast-ea-apex-legends-sponsorship-youtubers/ |archive-date=July 8, 2020 |access-date=May 16, 2020 |website=[[Tubefilter]]}}</ref>
In March 2019, Donaldson organized and filmed a real-life [[Battle royale game|battle royale]] competition in Los Angeles with prizes totaling $200,000 (two games were played, each awarding $100,000) in collaboration with ''[[Apex Legends]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 14, 2019 |title=MrBeast Hosts Real-life Battle Royale Tournament |work=[[Associated Press]] |url=https://www.apnews.com/fa94b3068e03411e86d5240414ec502d |url-status=live |access-date=May 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526074958/https://www.apnews.com/fa94b3068e03411e86d5240414ec502d |archive-date=May 26, 2019}}</ref> The event and prize pool were sponsored by ''Apex Legends'' publisher [[Electronic Arts]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hale |first=James |date=March 13, 2019 |title=MrBeast Drops Video Of Real Life, EA-Sponsored 'Apex Legends' Battle |url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2019/03/13/mrbeast-ea-apex-legends-sponsorship-youtubers/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708223100/https://www.tubefilter.com/2019/03/13/mrbeast-ea-apex-legends-sponsorship-youtubers/ |archive-date=July 8, 2020 |access-date=May 16, 2020 |website=[[Tubefilter]]}}</ref>


Donaldson was accused of using counterfeit money in his video titled "I Opened A FREE BANK", published on November 23, 2019.<ref name="SCMP 2021" /> He later explained that he used fake money to avoid participant safety concerns and that participants received real checks after the shoot.<ref name="SCMP 2021" />
Donaldson was accused of using counterfeit money in his video titled "I Opened A FREE BANK", published on November 23, 2019.<ref name="SCMP 2021" /> He later explained that he used fake money to avoid participant safety concerns and that participants received real checks after the shoot.<ref name="SCMP 2021" />


In April 2020, Donaldson created a [[rock, paper, scissors]] competition stream that featured 32 [[Internet celebrity|influencers]] and a grand prize of $250,000, which at the time became YouTube's most-watched live Original event with 662,000 concurrent viewers.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 27, 2020 |title=MrBeast's 'Creator Games' Is YouTube's Most-Watched Live Original Ever, With 662K Concurrent Viewers |language=en-US |work=Tubefilter |url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2020/04/27/mrbeast-youtube-creator-games-nadeshot-ninja/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512050444/https://www.tubefilter.com/2020/04/27/mrbeast-youtube-creator-games-nadeshot-ninja/ |archive-date=May 12, 2021}}</ref> The event was ultimately won by [[Nadeshot]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nadeshot Wins MrBeast Rock Paper Scissors Charity Livestream |url=https://teneightymagazine.com/2020/04/26/nadeshot-wins-mrbeast-rock-paper-scissors-charity-livestream/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511211907/https://teneightymagazine.com/2020/04/26/nadeshot-wins-mrbeast-rock-paper-scissors-charity-livestream/ |archive-date=May 11, 2021 |access-date=May 11, 2021 |language=en-GB}}</ref> In October 2020, Donaldson hosted another influencer tournament featuring 24 competitors with a grand prize of $300,000. The tournament was ultimately won by the [[D'Amelio (disambiguation)#People with the surname|D'Amelio]] family, which caused controversy due to claims that they cheated.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tenbarge |first=Kat |title=TikTok star Charli D'Amelio's family was accused of cheating on trivia questions after winning a $300,000 charity competition between influencers |url=https://www.insider.com/charli-dixie-damelio-parents-cheating-mrbeast-creator-games-2020-10 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224084328/https://www.insider.com/charli-dixie-damelio-parents-cheating-mrbeast-creator-games-2020-10 |archive-date=February 24, 2022 |access-date=May 11, 2021 |website=Insider |language=en-US}}</ref>
In April 2020, Donaldson created a [[rock, paper, scissors]] competition stream that featured 32 [[influencers]] and a grand prize of $250,000, which, at the time, became YouTube's most-watched live [[YouTube Premium|Original]] event with 662,000 concurrent viewers.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 27, 2020 |title=MrBeast's 'Creator Games' Is YouTube's Most-Watched Live Original Ever, With 662K Concurrent Viewers |language=en-US |work=Tubefilter |url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2020/04/27/mrbeast-youtube-creator-games-nadeshot-ninja/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512050444/https://www.tubefilter.com/2020/04/27/mrbeast-youtube-creator-games-nadeshot-ninja/ |archive-date=May 12, 2021}}</ref> The event was won by [[Nadeshot]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nadeshot Wins MrBeast Rock Paper Scissors Charity Livestream |url=https://teneightymagazine.com/2020/04/26/nadeshot-wins-mrbeast-rock-paper-scissors-charity-livestream/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511211907/https://teneightymagazine.com/2020/04/26/nadeshot-wins-mrbeast-rock-paper-scissors-charity-livestream/ |archive-date=May 11, 2021 |access-date=May 11, 2021 |language=en-GB}}</ref> In October 2020, Donaldson hosted another influencer tournament, this time [[trivia]], featuring 24 competitors with a grand prize of $300,000. The winners of the tournament were the siblings [[Charli D'Amelio|Charli]] and [[Dixie D'Amelio]], which caused controversy due to claims that they cheated.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tenbarge |first=Kat |title=TikTok star Charli D'Amelio's family was accused of cheating on trivia questions after winning a $300,000 charity competition between influencers |url=https://www.insider.com/charli-dixie-damelio-parents-cheating-mrbeast-creator-games-2020-10 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224084328/https://www.insider.com/charli-dixie-damelio-parents-cheating-mrbeast-creator-games-2020-10 |archive-date=February 24, 2022 |access-date=May 11, 2021 |website=Insider |language=en-US}}</ref>


===2021–present: Mainstream success===
=== Career (2021–present) ===
{{see also|$456,000 Squid Game in Real Life!|50 YouTubers Fight for $1,000,000}}
On January 1, 2021, Donaldson released the video "Youtube Rewind 2020, Thank God It's Over".<ref name=":8" /> In Donaldson's video, he explains that he had always believed that YouTubers "should get more say in [[YouTube Rewind|Rewind]]," and with this in mind, he decided to call "hundreds of YouTubers."<ref name=":8" /> At the end of the video, Donaldson gives a shoutout to PewDiePie, citing him and his 2018 Rewind as the inspiration for Donaldson's Rewind.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last=Tran |first=Fonticha |date=January 1, 2021 |title=MrBeast's "YouTube Rewind 2020, Thank God It's Over" |url=https://www.exclusivehollywood.co.uk/mrbeast-youtube-rewind-2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111032922/https://www.exclusivehollywood.co.uk/mrbeast-youtube-rewind-2020 |archive-date=January 11, 2021 |access-date=January 9, 2021 |website=Exclusive Hollywood |language=en}}</ref> A month later, Donaldson signed a [[Facebook]] and [[Snapchat]] content distribution deal with Jellysmack.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=April 7, 2021 |title=MrBeast Signs Exclusive Snapchat, Facebook Video Distribution Pact With Jellysmack |url=https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/mrbeast-snapchat-facebook-video-distribution-1234946051/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505163635/https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/mrbeast-snapchat-facebook-video-distribution-1234946051/ |archive-date=May 5, 2021 |access-date=May 5, 2021 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=April 7, 2021 |title=MrBeast Signs Exclusive Facebook, Snapchat Distribution Deal with Jellysmack |work=Tubefilter |url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2021/04/07/mrbeast-snapchat-facebook-distribution-deal-jellysmack/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505163637/https://www.tubefilter.com/2021/04/07/mrbeast-snapchat-facebook-distribution-deal-jellysmack/ |archive-date=May 5, 2021}}</ref>
On January 1, 2021, Donaldson released the video "Youtube Rewind 2020, Thank God It's Over". In Donaldson's video, he explains that he had always believed that YouTubers "should get more say in [[YouTube Rewind|Rewind]]", and with this in mind, he decided to call "hundreds of YouTubers". At the end of the video, Donaldson gives a shout-out to PewDiePie, citing him and his 2018 Rewind as the inspiration for Donaldson's Rewind.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last=Tran |first=Fonticha |date=January 1, 2021 |title=MrBeast's "YouTube Rewind 2020, Thank God It's Over" |url=https://www.exclusivehollywood.co.uk/mrbeast-youtube-rewind-2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111032922/https://www.exclusivehollywood.co.uk/mrbeast-youtube-rewind-2020 |archive-date=January 11, 2021 |access-date=January 9, 2021 |website=Exclusive Hollywood |language=en}}</ref> A month later, Donaldson signed a [[Facebook]] and [[Snapchat]] content distribution deal with Jellysmack.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=April 7, 2021 |title=MrBeast Signs Exclusive Snapchat, Facebook Video Distribution Pact With Jellysmack |url=https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/mrbeast-snapchat-facebook-video-distribution-1234946051/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505163635/https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/mrbeast-snapchat-facebook-video-distribution-1234946051/ |archive-date=May 5, 2021 |access-date=May 5, 2021 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=April 7, 2021 |title=MrBeast Signs Exclusive Facebook, Snapchat Distribution Deal with Jellysmack |work=Tubefilter |url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2021/04/07/mrbeast-snapchat-facebook-distribution-deal-jellysmack/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505163637/https://www.tubefilter.com/2021/04/07/mrbeast-snapchat-facebook-distribution-deal-jellysmack/ |archive-date=May 5, 2021}}</ref>
[[File:MrBeast KCA2023 104 (cropped) 3.jpg|thumb|MrBeast at the [[2023 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards]]|314x314px]]
During a [[Clubhouse (app)|Clubhouse]] room in February 2021, Donaldson booted entrepreneur Farokh Sarmad after he allegedly said he could not pronounce his name, a move that Sarmad later said was racist. Sarmad's claims were questioned and denied by other Clubhouse users, who were present at the call and argued against Sarmad's claims, claiming that Donaldson removed him along with others to make room for women to be more inclusive.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 27, 2021 |title=YouTube accused of 'blatant racism' over social media spat with entrepreneur |url=https://www.indy100.com/news/mrbeast-youtuber-clubhouse-entrepreneur-racism-b1805556 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511205603/https://www.indy100.com/news/mrbeast-youtuber-clubhouse-entrepreneur-racism-b1805556 |archive-date=May 11, 2021 |access-date=May 11, 2021 |website=[[Indy100]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Tenbarge |first=Kat |title=MrBeast booted a user whose name he couldn't pronounce on Clubhouse, sparking a debate over racism and microaggressions |url=https://www.insider.com/mrbeast-clubhouse-racism-allegations-cancelled-racist-farokh-debate-drama-2021-2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224084325/https://www.insider.com/mrbeast-clubhouse-racism-allegations-cancelled-racist-farokh-debate-drama-2021-2 |archive-date=February 24, 2022 |access-date=May 11, 2021 |website=[[Insider (website)|Insider]]}}</ref>


In November 2021, Donaldson uploaded a recreation of the [[Survival film|survival drama]] [[streaming television]] series ''[[Squid Game]]'' in real life, in which 456 people competed for a $456,000 cash prize, without the violence in the show.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wilde |first=Tyler |date=November 25, 2021 |title=$3.5M Squid Game recreation is about as accurate as you can get without actually shooting anyone |language=en |work=[[PC Gamer]] |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/mr-beast-squid-game-real-youtube/ |url-status=live |access-date=November 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211126011446/https://www.pcgamer.com/mr-beast-squid-game-real-youtube/ |archive-date=November 26, 2021}}</ref> The video has more than 325 million views as of December 24, 2022,<ref>{{Cite web |title=$456,000 Squid Game in Real Life! |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0e3GPea1Tyg |access-date=December 24, 2022 |website=YouTube |publisher=MrBeast}}</ref> making it Donaldson's most-viewed YouTube video and also making it one of the most-watched YouTube videos of 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kesvani |first=Hussain |date=December 2, 2021 |title=The success of MrBeast's Squid Game is its own dystopia |url=https://www.polygon.com/22812548/mrbeast-squid-game-youtube-copycat-reaction |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202173316/https://www.polygon.com/22812548/mrbeast-squid-game-youtube-copycat-reaction |archive-date=December 2, 2021 |access-date=December 2, 2021 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]}}</ref> A review of the video in ''[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]]'' stated that it "badly misunderstood the anti-capitalist message of ''Squid Game''".<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=November 29, 2021 |title=YouTuber MrBeast Surpasses 100 Million Views on Controversial Squid Game Recreation Video |url=https://observer.com/2021/11/youtuber-mrbeast-million-views-controversial-squid-game-recreation-video/ |access-date=June 5, 2022 |website=Observer |language=en-US}}</ref>
In November 2021, Donaldson uploaded "[[$456,000 Squid Game in Real Life!|$456,000 ''Squid Game'' in Real Life!]]", a recreation of the [[Survival film|survival drama]] [[streaming television]] series ''[[Squid Game]]'' in real life. The video had 456 people compete for a $456,000 cash prize.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wilde |first=Tyler |date=November 25, 2021 |title=$3.5M Squid Game recreation is about as accurate as you can get without actually shooting anyone |language=en |work=[[PC Gamer]] |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/mr-beast-squid-game-real-youtube/ |url-status=live |access-date=November 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211126011446/https://www.pcgamer.com/mr-beast-squid-game-real-youtube/ |archive-date=November 26, 2021}}</ref> The video was one of the most-watched YouTube videos of 2021, receiving over 130 million views within a week.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kesvani |first=Hussain |date=December 2, 2021 |title=The success of MrBeast's Squid Game is its own dystopia |url=https://www.polygon.com/22812548/mrbeast-squid-game-youtube-copycat-reaction |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202173316/https://www.polygon.com/22812548/mrbeast-squid-game-youtube-copycat-reaction |archive-date=December 2, 2021 |access-date=December 2, 2021 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]}}</ref> A review of the video in ''[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]]'' argued that it "badly misunderstood the anti-capitalist message of ''Squid Game''".<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=November 29, 2021 |title=YouTuber MrBeast Surpasses 100 Million Views on Controversial Squid Game Recreation Video |url=https://observer.com/2021/11/youtuber-mrbeast-million-views-controversial-squid-game-recreation-video/ |access-date=June 5, 2022 |website=Observer |language=en-US |archive-date=June 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605171948/https://observer.com/2021/11/youtuber-mrbeast-million-views-controversial-squid-game-recreation-video/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Despite this, ''Squid Game'' creator [[Hwang Dong-hyuk]] has reacted positively to recreations and parodies of the series.<ref>{{cite web |date=December 4, 2021 |title=Squid Game Creator Gives His Thoughts On MrBeast's Youtube Version |url=https://screenrant.com/squid-game-mrbeast-video-hwang-dong-hyuk-reaction/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220213105046/https://screenrant.com/squid-game-mrbeast-video-hwang-dong-hyuk-reaction/ |archive-date=February 13, 2022 |access-date=January 21, 2022 |website=ScreenRant |language=en-US}}</ref>


In December 2021, Donaldson created a third influencer tournament featuring 15 competitors with a grand prize of $1,000,000.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Weiss |first=Geoff |date=December 14, 2021 |title=MrBeast's Third 'Creator Games' To Host Bella Poarch, Logan Paul, With $1 Million Prize |work=Tube Filter |url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2021/12/14/mrbeast-third-creator-games-bella-poarch-logan-paul/ |url-status=live |access-date=December 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214210433/https://www.tubefilter.com/2021/12/14/mrbeast-third-creator-games-bella-poarch-logan-paul/ |archive-date=December 14, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Rolta |first=Mehul |date=December 17, 2021 |title=MrBeast Hosts Stunning Million-Dollar Tournament Featuring Some of YouTube's Biggest Stars |work=Essentially Sports |url=https://www.essentiallysports.com/mrbeast-hosts-stunning-million-dollar-tournament-featuring-some-of-youtubes-biggest-stars-esports-news/ |url-status=live |access-date=December 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211227082617/https://www.essentiallysports.com/mrbeast-hosts-stunning-million-dollar-tournament-featuring-some-of-youtubes-biggest-stars-esports-news/ |archive-date=December 27, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Francis |first=Bryan |date=December 18, 2021 |title=MrBeast has started a new $1,000,000 Influencer tournament |work=First Sportz |url=https://firstsportz.com/esports-news-mrbeast-started-a-influencer-tournament/ |url-status=live |access-date=December 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211227082618/https://firstsportz.com/esports-news-mrbeast-started-a-influencer-tournament/ |archive-date=December 27, 2021}}</ref> In January 2022, Forbes ranked MrBeast as YouTube's highest-earning creator, earning an estimated $54 million in 2021. Forbes also stated that his income in 2021 would have placed him 40th in the 2020 [[Forbes Celebrity 100]], earning as much money as [[Vin Diesel]] and [[Lewis Hamilton]] did in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Abram |title=The Highest-Paid YouTube Stars: MrBeast, Jake Paul And Markiplier Score Massive Paydays |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/abrambrown/2022/01/14/the-highest-paid-youtube-stars-mrbeast-jake-paul-and-markiplier-score-massive-paydays/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220117180838/https://www.forbes.com/sites/abrambrown/2022/01/14/the-highest-paid-youtube-stars-mrbeast-jake-paul-and-markiplier-score-massive-paydays/ |archive-date=January 17, 2022 |access-date=January 17, 2022 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Celebrity 100: The World's Highest-Paid Celebrities 2020 |url=https://www.forbes.com/celebrities/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040628043820/https://www.forbes.com/celebrities/ |archive-date=June 28, 2004 |access-date=January 17, 2022 |website=Forbes}}</ref>
In December 2021, Donaldson created a third [[influencer]] tournament featuring 15 competitors with a grand prize of $1&nbsp;million.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Weiss |first=Geoff |date=December 14, 2021 |title=MrBeast's Third 'Creator Games' To Host Bella Poarch, Logan Paul, With $1 Million Prize |work=Tube Filter |url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2021/12/14/mrbeast-third-creator-games-bella-poarch-logan-paul/ |url-status=live |access-date=December 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214210433/https://www.tubefilter.com/2021/12/14/mrbeast-third-creator-games-bella-poarch-logan-paul/ |archive-date=December 14, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Rolta |first=Mehul |date=December 17, 2021 |title=MrBeast Hosts Stunning Million-Dollar Tournament Featuring Some of YouTube's Biggest Stars |work=Essentially Sports |url=https://www.essentiallysports.com/mrbeast-hosts-stunning-million-dollar-tournament-featuring-some-of-youtubes-biggest-stars-esports-news/ |url-status=live |access-date=December 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211227082617/https://www.essentiallysports.com/mrbeast-hosts-stunning-million-dollar-tournament-featuring-some-of-youtubes-biggest-stars-esports-news/ |archive-date=December 27, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Francis |first=Bryan |date=December 18, 2021 |title=MrBeast has started a new $1,000,000 Influencer tournament |work=First Sportz |url=https://firstsportz.com/esports-news-mrbeast-started-a-influencer-tournament/ |url-status=live |access-date=December 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211227082618/https://firstsportz.com/esports-news-mrbeast-started-a-influencer-tournament/ |archive-date=December 27, 2021}}</ref> In January 2022, ''Forbes'' ranked Donaldson as YouTube's highest-earning creator, earning an estimated $54&nbsp;million in 2021. ''Forbes'' stated that his income in 2021 would have placed him 40th in the 2020 [[Forbes Celebrity 100]], earning as much money as [[Vin Diesel]] and [[Lewis Hamilton]] did in 2020.<ref name="auto2" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Celebrity 100: The World's Highest-Paid Celebrities 2020 |url=https://www.forbes.com/celebrities/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040628043820/https://www.forbes.com/celebrities/ |archive-date=June 28, 2004 |access-date=January 17, 2022 |website=Forbes}}</ref>


On July 28, 2022, Donaldson surpassed 100 million subscribers on his main channel, making him the fifth channel and the second individual YouTuber to achieve the milestone.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=July 28, 2022 |title=MrBeast Tops 100 Million YouTube Subscribers: 'I Hope to Do YouTube Until the Day I Die' |url=https://variety.com/2022/digital/news/mrbeast-100-million-youtube-subscribers-1235328739/ |access-date=December 20, 2022 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cheong |first=Charissa |date=July 29, 2022 |title=YouTube star MrBeast just became the second person in the world to reach 100 million subscribers, and livestreamed the moment he found out |url=https://www.insider.com/mrbeast-100-million-youtube-subscribers-reaction-livestream-2022-7 |access-date=August 3, 2022 |website=Insider}}</ref> On November 17, 2022, Donaldson achieved the [[Guinness World Records|Guinness World Record]] of "Most Subscribers for an Individual Male on YouTube" with his MrBeast channel at 112,193,139 subscribers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Suggitt |first=Connie |date=November 17, 2022 |title=Mr Beast now most-subscribed YouTuber ever, overtaking PewDiePie |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2022/11/mr-beast-now-most-subscribed-youtuber-ever-overtaking-pewdiepie-726321 |access-date=November 20, 2022 |website=Guinness World Records}}</ref>
On July 28, 2022, Donaldson surpassed 100 million subscribers on his main channel, making him the fifth channel and the second individual YouTuber to achieve the milestone.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=July 28, 2022 |title=MrBeast Tops 100 Million YouTube Subscribers: 'I Hope to Do YouTube Until the Day I Die' |url=https://variety.com/2022/digital/news/mrbeast-100-million-youtube-subscribers-1235328739/ |access-date=December 20, 2022 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=July 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220729201818/https://variety.com/2022/digital/news/mrbeast-100-million-youtube-subscribers-1235328739/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cheong |first=Charissa |date=July 29, 2022 |title=YouTube star MrBeast just became the second person in the world to reach 100 million subscribers, and livestreamed the moment he found out |url=https://www.insider.com/mrbeast-100-million-youtube-subscribers-reaction-livestream-2022-7 |access-date=August 3, 2022 |website=Insider |archive-date=August 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808165144/https://www.businessinsider.com/mrbeast-100-million-youtube-subscribers-reaction-livestream-2022-7 |url-status=live }}</ref> On November 17, 2022, Donaldson achieved the [[Guinness World Records|Guinness World Record]] of "Most Subscribers for an Individual Male on YouTube" with his MrBeast channel at 112 million subscribers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Suggitt |first=Connie |date=November 17, 2022 |title=Mr Beast now most-subscribed YouTuber ever, overtaking PewDiePie |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2022/11/mr-beast-now-most-subscribed-youtuber-ever-overtaking-pewdiepie-726321 |access-date=November 20, 2022 |website=Guinness World Records |archive-date=November 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221119054620/https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2022/11/mr-beast-now-most-subscribed-youtuber-ever-overtaking-pewdiepie-726321 |url-status=live }}</ref> The previous record holder, [[PewDiePie]], had held the record as the most subscribed YouTuber for almost ten years.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gerken |first=Tom |date=November 16, 2022 |title=MrBeast overtakes PewDiePie as most-subscribed YouTuber |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-63635382 |access-date=June 21, 2023 |archive-date=August 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802184124/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-63635382 |url-status=live }}</ref> Donaldson achieved one billion video views over 30 days on his main YouTube channel in November 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ghoshal |first=Shivaditya |date=November 22, 2022 |title=YouTube King MrBeast Has Now Officially Crossed 1 Billion Views On His Main Channel in Just 30 Days, Gets 2nd Rank As... |url=https://www.essentiallysports.com/esports-news-youtube-king-mrbeast-has-now-officially-crossed-1-billion-views-on-his-main-channel-in-just-30-days-gets-2nd-rank-as/ |access-date=June 23, 2023 |website=[[EssentiallySports]] |archive-date=June 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623044057/https://www.essentiallysports.com/esports-news-youtube-king-mrbeast-has-now-officially-crossed-1-billion-views-on-his-main-channel-in-just-30-days-gets-2nd-rank-as/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On October 15, 2023, Donaldson surpassed 200{{Nbsp}}million subscribers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hale |first=James |date=October 16, 2023 |title=MrBeast gained 100 million subscribers in 15 months. Here's why. |url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2023/10/16/mrbeast-gained-100-million-subscribers-in-15-months-heres-why/ |access-date=October 28, 2023 |website=Tubefilter |language=en-US |archive-date=October 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231028012428/https://www.tubefilter.com/2023/10/16/mrbeast-gained-100-million-subscribers-in-15-months-heres-why/ |url-status=live }}</ref> His [[YouTube Shorts]] video "Would You Fly to Paris for a Baguette?" is the most watched video on his main YouTube channel, having more than 1.3&nbsp;billion views and 50&nbsp;million likes as of January 2024.<ref>{{cite news |last=Tomar |first=Vaibhav Singh |title=MrBeast Just Got His First Billion Views Video |url=https://www.essentiallysports.com/gaming-news-mrbeast-just-got-his-first-billion-views-video/ |access-date=December 30, 2023 |work=EssentiallySports |date=December 22, 2023 |archive-date=December 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230175808/https://www.essentiallysports.com/gaming-news-mrbeast-just-got-his-first-billion-views-video/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


On June 2, 2024, Donaldson surpassed India-based music label and film production company [[T-Series (company)|T-Series]] for the title of the most subscribed channel on YouTube, at 267&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news |last=Davis |first=Wes |title=PewDiePie 'avenged' as MrBeast becomes YouTube's most-subscribed channel |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/6/2/24170045/mrbeast-youtube-most-subscribed-channel-t-series-pewdiepie |access-date=June 3, 2024 |work=The Verge |date=June 2, 2024 |language=en |archive-date=August 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808165133/https://www.theverge.com/2024/6/2/24170045/mrbeast-youtube-most-subscribed-channel-t-series-pewdiepie |url-status=live }}</ref> On July 10, 2024, Donaldson became the first YouTuber to surpass 300&nbsp;million subscribers.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 10, 2024 |title=MrBeast makes history, becomes first YouTuber to reach 300 million subscribers |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/mrbeast-makes-history-becomes-first-youtuber-to-reach-300-million-subscribers-101720623424789.html |access-date=July 15, 2024 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en |archive-date=August 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808165053/https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/mrbeast-makes-history-becomes-first-youtuber-to-reach-300-million-subscribers-101720623424789.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On July 13, 2024, Donaldson uploaded his 300 million subscribers special, "[[50 YouTubers Fight for $1,000,000]]". The video featured guest appearances from [[Howie Mandel]], [[Miranda Cosgrove]], and [[Joey Chestnut]].<ref>{{cite web |title=JaidenAnimations wins MrBeast's $1 million YouTube challenge, outlasting Logan Paul and KSI |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2479628/jaidenanimations-wins-mrbeasts-1-million-youtube-challenge-outlasting-logan-paul-and-ksi |website=tribune.com |date=July 14, 2024 |access-date=July 19, 2024 |archive-date=July 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718160602/https://tribune.com.pk/story/2479628/jaidenanimations-wins-mrbeasts-1-million-youtube-challenge-outlasting-logan-paul-and-ksi |url-status=live }}</ref> This video reached 71&nbsp;million views in the first 24 hours, becoming Donaldson's most-viewed video within its first 24 hours.<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1812524185228320980 |user=MrBeast |title=New video is my most viewed video ever in 24 hours 😮 |date=July 14, 2024 |access-date=July 19, 2024}}</ref>
In December 2022, two MrBeast outfits and other cosmetic items were added to ''[[Fortnite Battle Royale]]''. [[Epic Games]] also held a tournament in ''Fortnite'' called "MrBeast's Extreme Survival Challenge", which had a payout prize of one million dollars.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Play MrBeast's Challenge in Fortnite for an Opportunity to Earn $1,000,000 USD |url=https://www.epicgames.com/fortnite/en-US/news/play-mrbeasts-extreme-survival-challenge-in-fortnite-for-an-opportunity-to-earn-1000000-dollars |access-date=December 24, 2022 |website=Epic Games' Fortnite |language=en-US}}</ref>


==YouTube content==
In February 2023, he appeared in a [[Viral video|viral]] [[Television advertisement|commercial]]<ref name="ral">{{cite web |last=E. Franco |first=Marina |date=February 16, 2023 |title=Flag-football star of Super Bowl ad wants to empower women in sports |url=https://www.axios.com/2023/02/16/diana-flores-super-bowl-football-ad |access-date=February 17, 2023 |website=Axios}}</ref> for the NFL which aired during [[Super Bowl LVII]].<ref name=missed>{{cite web |url=https://www.dexerto.com/entertainment/mrbeast-appears-in-official-super-bowl-lvii-commercial-for-new-nfl-promotion-2059422/ |title=MrBeast appears in official Super Bowl LVII commercial for new NFL promotion|last=Ho |first=Liam|date=February 15, 2023|website=Dexerto |access-date=February 17, 2023}}</ref>
Early in his career, Donaldson's content usually consisted of [[Let's Play|Let's Plays]], "best and worst" videos and YouTube commentary.<ref name="M&H" /><ref name=":6" /> Donaldson's present-day videos are categorized into three genres: stunt videos, where Donaldson or other participants perform challenges that are interesting, challenging, or dangerous; "junklord" videos, where Donaldson uses a large quantity of a particular product unusually or spends an extravagant amount on it; and giveaway videos, where Donaldson gives away large amounts of money or extravagant prizes to people, usually including a competitive aspect.{{Efn|name="genreExamples"|Examples of each genre:<ref name="M&H" />
* Stunt: "Microwaving a microwave," "I counted to 100,000"
* Junklord: "I built a giant house using only Legos," "I ate $100,000 golden ice cream"
* Giveaway: "Extreme $500,000 game of tag," "Giving a random homeless man $10,000"
}} Giveaway videos are considered to be a distinctive feature of Donaldson's content.<ref name="M&H" />


Donaldson's videos leverage YouTube's [[recommendation system|recommendation algorithm]] to go [[Viral video|viral]], mainly by maximizing [[click-through rate]] and [[Retention rate|viewer retention]].<ref name="M&H">{{cite journal |last1=Miller |first1=Vincent |last2=Hogg |first2=Eddy |title='If you press this, I'll pay': MrBeast, YouTube, and the mobilisation of the audience commodity in the name of charity |journal=Convergence: The International Journal of Research into New Media Technologies |date=March 8, 2023 |volume=29 |issue=4 |pages=997–1014 |doi=10.1177/13548565231161810|s2cid=257461167 |doi-access=free }}</ref> To maximize click-through rate, he focuses on creating effective topics, titles, and [[Thumbnail|thumbnails]].<ref name="BI">{{cite web |last=Perelli |first=Amanda |title=How YouTube star MrBeast, who has 22 million subscribers, uses keywords and the 'shock and awe' effect to maximize views |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/how-youtube-star-mr-beast-uses-keywords-to-get-trending-2019-7 |website=Business Insider |access-date=July 26, 2023 |archive-date=July 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230726183708/https://www.businessinsider.com/how-youtube-star-mr-beast-uses-keywords-to-get-trending-2019-7 |url-status=live }}</ref> In an interview with [[Lex Fridman]], he stated that for him to create a viral video, it needed to be "original, creative, something people really need to see, ideally never been done before".<ref>{{cite podcast|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3_PwvvfxIU&t=2506s|title=MrBeast: Future of YouTube, Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram|host=Lex Fridman|date=January 11, 2023|time=41:46|access-date=July 26, 2023|archive-date=July 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230726183708/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3_PwvvfxIU&t=2506s|url-status=live}}</ref> His titles are designed to attract attention by promising outrageous stunts, and using certain keywords like "24-hours" and "challenge".<ref name=":0" /><ref name="BI" /> His thumbnails are designed to be easily understandable, clearly focused, and brightly colored.<ref name="BI2">{{cite news |last=Perelli |first=Amanda |title=YouTube star MrBeast breaks down how he makes eye-catching thumbnails and why he'd pay $10,000 for the best possible one |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/mrbeast-youtube-thumbnail-strategy-advice-for-creators-2021-10 |access-date=July 26, 2023 |work=Business Insider |archive-date=July 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230726183710/https://www.businessinsider.com/mrbeast-youtube-thumbnail-strategy-advice-for-creators-2021-10 |url-status=live }}</ref> To maximize viewer retention, Donaldson paces the videos to have viewers engaged throughout. His videos typically span 10–30 minutes. He hooks viewers by explaining the premise in under half a minute at the start of the video,<ref name=":0" /> and promises a "finale" to have viewers engaged until the end of the video.<ref name="M&H" />
== Business model ==
{{quote box
| quote = "Once you know how to make a video go viral, it's just about how to get as many out as possible, [...] you can practically make unlimited money. [But] the videos take months of prep. A lot of them take four to five days of relentless filming. There's a reason other people don't do what I do."<ref name=":0" />
| source = — Jimmy Donaldson on his YouTube videos
| align = right
| width = 246px
}}Donaldson's videos are known to contain certain elements in order to go [[Viral video|viral]]. By doing so, he gains advertising sales of "tens of millions of dollars", as social media's [[recommendation system]]s show his videos to more people. Accordingly, per ''[[The Detroit News]]'', his videos have elements of [[internet challenge]]s, [[guest appearance]]s, and [[reaction video]]s – three popular video genres online.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shaw |first=Lucas |last2=Bergen |first2=Mark |date=January 1, 2021 |title=How a kid cracked YouTube's secret code |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/life/2021/01/01/how-kid-cracked-youtubes-secret-code/4100868001/ |access-date=July 31, 2022 |website=The Detroit News |language=en-US}}</ref> On YouTube, his videos make use of catchy [[clickbait]] titles such as "I Adopted EVERY Dog in a Dog Shelter",{{efn-ua|1=External video: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQDDm9HLkV4 ''I Adopted EVERY Dog In A Dog Shelter''].}} explain the challenges in under half a minute, and keep their length between ten and twenty minutes.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Shaw |first=Lucas |last2=Bergen |first2=Mark |date=January 1, 2021 |title=How a kid cracked YouTube's secret code |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/life/2021/01/01/how-kid-cracked-youtubes-secret-code/4100868001/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107022444/https://www.detroitnews.com/story/life/2021/01/01/how-kid-cracked-youtubes-secret-code/4100868001/ |archive-date=November 7, 2021 |access-date=February 24, 2022 |website=[[The Detroit News]] |language=en-US}}</ref>


Donaldson's funding for these videos mainly comes from [[Sponsor (commercial)|sponsorships]] and Google's [[AdSense]] program.<ref name="verge">{{cite web |last=Alexander |first=Julia |title=MrBeast, YouTube's viral philanthropist, explains where all that money comes from |url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/12/28/18157845/mrbeast-youtube-donations-adsense-brand-deals |website=The Verge |access-date=July 28, 2023 |date=December 28, 2018 |archive-date=December 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217185340/https://www.theverge.com/2018/12/28/18157845/mrbeast-youtube-donations-adsense-brand-deals |url-status=live }}</ref> Donaldson was reported in 2022 to spend about $1 million on each video.<ref name=":7" /> Most of his funding comes from sponsorships.<ref name="verge" /> Donaldson uses his reaction channel and gaming channel to help finance his main channel, as their videos are relatively cheap to produce and make a substantial amount of money.<ref name=":7" /> ''[[The Verge]]'' noted that his revenue is self-perpetuating: "The more viral he becomes, the more brands want to work with him, and the bigger his own AdSense earnings get. He can then entice viewers with even bigger giveaway videos. It's a never ending cycle".<ref name="verge" /> He stated in an interview with ''[[Rolling Stone]]'': "I could be doing cheaper videos, [...] But I just don't want to. I want to push the boundaries to go bigger, bigger".<ref name=":7" /><ref>{{cite news |last=Read |first=Max |date=June 12, 2023 |title=How MrBeast Became the Willy Wonka of YouTube |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/12/magazine/mrbeast-youtube.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725200742/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/12/magazine/mrbeast-youtube.html |archive-date=July 25, 2023 |access-date=July 29, 2023 |work=The New York Times |language=en}}</ref> Donaldson earns passive income through merchandise, [[MrBeast Burger]], and [[Feastables]].<ref name="M&H" /><ref name="RS2">{{cite magazine |last=Jones |first=C. T. |title=MrBeast Has Your Views. Now He Wants Your Cash |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/youtube-mrbeast-funding-business-expansion-1234617936/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=July 28, 2023 |date=October 25, 2022 |archive-date=July 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230728152927/https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/youtube-mrbeast-funding-business-expansion-1234617936/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
According to Donaldson, large monetary prizes are also an important factor in viewer engagement.<ref name=":0" /> Therefore, his videos often involve him donating large amounts of money to individuals, with many of these videos being sponsored by various companies through large-scale brand deals that appear as advertisements within his videos.<ref name="Atlantic">{{Cite news |last=Lorenz |first=Taylor |author-link=Taylor Lorenz |date=May 24, 2018 |title='YouTube's Biggest Philanthropist' Has a History of Homophobic Comments |work=[[The Atlantic]] |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2018/05/youtubes-biggest-philanthropist-has-a-history-of-homophobic-comments/561248/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715091820/https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2018/05/youtubes-biggest-philanthropist-has-a-history-of-homophobic-comments/561248/ |archive-date=July 15, 2019}}</ref><ref name="Newsweek2018">{{Cite news |last=Palmer |first=Ewan |date=October 22, 2018 |title=Who is MrBeast? North Carolina Server tipped $10,000 for two drinks by YouTube star |work=[[Newsweek]] |url=https://www.newsweek.com/who-mrbeast-north-carolina-server-tipped-10000-two-drinks-youtube-star-1180532 |url-status=live |access-date=October 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191007221615/https://www.newsweek.com/who-mrbeast-north-carolina-server-tipped-10000-two-drinks-youtube-star-1180532 |archive-date=October 7, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Weiss |first=Geoff |date=November 21, 2019 |title=Browser Extension 'Honey', A Frequent Shane Dawson And MrBeast Sponsor, Acquired For $4 Billion |url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2019/11/21/honey-shane-dawson-mrbeast-4-billion/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812013749/https://www.tubefilter.com/2019/11/21/honey-shane-dawson-mrbeast-4-billion/ |archive-date=August 12, 2020 |access-date=October 15, 2020 |website=Tubefilter}}</ref><ref name="SCMP 2021" /> He also sometimes hosts competitions in video games, such as ''Minecraft'', for large prizes, including donating a house in one of his gaming videos.<ref name="BNC" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Alexander |first=Julia |date=December 28, 2018 |title=MrBeast, YouTube's viral philanthropist, explains where all that money comes from |url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/12/28/18157845/mrbeast-youtube-donations-adsense-brand-deals |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217185340/https://www.theverge.com/2018/12/28/18157845/mrbeast-youtube-donations-adsense-brand-deals |archive-date=December 17, 2019 |access-date=February 9, 2020 |website=The Verge |language=en}}</ref> MrBeast has been credited with launching a new style of high-cost stunt videos on YouTube, where creators pull off elaborate challenges and large-scale sponsored giveaways.<ref name="SCMP 2021" /> Donaldson claimed in January 2021 that he runs his main channel at a loss.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Weiss |first=Geoff |date=January 11, 2021 |title=MrBeast Smashes 50 Million Subs, Though Recent Videos Have Lost A "Ridiculous" Amount Of Money |url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2021/01/11/mrbeast-smashes-50-million-subs-lost-ridiculous-amount-of-money/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111182404/https://www.tubefilter.com/2021/01/11/mrbeast-smashes-50-million-subs-lost-ridiculous-amount-of-money/ |archive-date=January 11, 2021 |access-date=January 11, 2021 |website=Tubefilter.com}}</ref>


As of 2023, Donaldson employs over 250 people. They include writers, editors, and producers.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Harwell |first1=Drew |last2=Lorenz |first2=Taylor |title=Greenville was quiet. Then a hometown kid became YouTube's biggest star. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/11/03/mr-beast-money-hometown-greenville-creator-economy/ |access-date=November 25, 2023 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=November 3, 2023 |language=en |archive-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116112351/https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/11/03/mr-beast-money-hometown-greenville-creator-economy/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="2021-nyt-youtube" /> Many employees are people familiar to Donaldson, such as friends and family members.<ref name="2021-nyt-youtube" />
Psychologist [[Tim Kasser]] claimed that a MrBeast video promoting a product would be about half as expensive as running a television ad, with higher engagement and reception.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Ellis |first=Emma Grey |title=The Psychological Impact of Seeing YouTubers Spend Millions |url=https://www.wired.com/story/youtube-flexing-psychology/ |magazine=Wired |language=en-US |issn=1059-1028 |access-date=March 20, 2022}}</ref>


== Other ventures ==
==Other ventures==
=== Finger on the App ===
===''Finger on the App''===
{{Further|Finger on the App}}
In June 2020, Donaldson, in collaboration with [[Brooklyn]]-based art collective [[MSCHF]], released a one-time multiplayer mobile game titled "Finger on the App". In the game, players touch their phone screen and the last person to remove their finger from the screen wins $25,000.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Beresford |first=Trilby |date=June 30, 2020 |title=YouTuber MrBeast Launches Multiplayer Endurance Game 'Finger on the App' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/youtuber-mrbeast-launches-multiplayer-endurance-game-finger-app-1300746/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505125934/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/youtuber-mrbeast-launches-multiplayer-endurance-game-finger-app-1300746/ |archive-date=May 5, 2021 |access-date=May 5, 2021 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref> In the end, four people ended up winning $20,000 each after keeping their finger on the app for over 70 hours.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Alexander |first=Julia |date=July 3, 2020 |title=MrBeast ends Finger on the App competition by telling players to stop after 70 hours |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/7/3/21312701/mrbeast-finger-app-competition-stream-winner-final-four-prize-youtube-mschf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210318231923/https://www.theverge.com/2020/7/3/21312701/mrbeast-finger-app-competition-stream-winner-final-four-prize-youtube-mschf |archive-date=March 18, 2021 |access-date=May 5, 2021 |website=The Verge |language=en}}</ref> The game was reportedly so successful that a sequel titled "Finger on the App 2" was planned to originally launch in December 2020. However, the game was postponed to February and then further delayed to March 2021 due to a flood of downloads, causing the game to crash and requiring the game's developers to upgrade their servers. This time, the game featured a grand prize of $100,000.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=March 19, 2021 |title=MrBeast's $100,000 'Finger on the App 2' Contest Kicks Off Saturday |url=https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/mrbeast-finger-on-the-app-2-start-time-date-1234934406/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505042841/https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/mrbeast-finger-on-the-app-2-start-time-date-1234934406/ |archive-date=May 5, 2021 |access-date=May 5, 2021 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> The winner kept their finger on the phone screen for around 51 hours; the second-place finisher also received a prize of $20,000.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 23, 2021 |title=MrBeast Crowns $100,000 'Finger on the App' Winner After 50-Hour Contest |url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2021/03/23/mrbeast-crowns-finger-on-the-app-winner-50-hours/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505162501/https://www.tubefilter.com/2021/03/23/mrbeast-crowns-finger-on-the-app-winner-50-hours/ |archive-date=May 5, 2021 |access-date=May 5, 2021 |website=Tubefilter.com}}</ref>
In June 2020, Donaldson, in collaboration with [[Brooklyn]]-based art collective [[MSCHF]], released a one-time multiplayer mobile game titled ''Finger on the App''. In the game, players touch their phone screen and the last person to remove their finger from the screen wins $25,000.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Beresford |first=Trilby |date=June 30, 2020 |title=YouTuber MrBeast Launches Multiplayer Endurance Game 'Finger on the App' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/youtuber-mrbeast-launches-multiplayer-endurance-game-finger-app-1300746/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505125934/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/youtuber-mrbeast-launches-multiplayer-endurance-game-finger-app-1300746/ |archive-date=May 5, 2021 |access-date=May 5, 2021 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |language=en-US}}</ref> In the end, four people won $20,000 each after keeping their finger on the app for over 70 hours.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Alexander |first=Julia |date=July 3, 2020 |title=MrBeast ends Finger on the App competition by telling players to stop after 70 hours |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/7/3/21312701/mrbeast-finger-app-competition-stream-winner-final-four-prize-youtube-mschf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210318231923/https://www.theverge.com/2020/7/3/21312701/mrbeast-finger-app-competition-stream-winner-final-four-prize-youtube-mschf |archive-date=March 18, 2021 |access-date=May 5, 2021 |website=The Verge |language=en}}</ref> The game was reportedly so successful that a sequel titled ''Finger on the App 2'' was planned to originally launch in December 2020. The game was postponed to February, then further delayed to March 2021 due to a flood of downloads, causing the game to crash and requiring its developers to upgrade their servers. This time, the game featured a grand prize of $100,000.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=March 19, 2021 |title=MrBeast's $100,000 'Finger on the App 2' Contest Kicks Off Saturday |url=https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/mrbeast-finger-on-the-app-2-start-time-date-1234934406/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505042841/https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/mrbeast-finger-on-the-app-2-start-time-date-1234934406/ |archive-date=May 5, 2021 |access-date=May 5, 2021 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> The winner kept their finger on the phone screen for around 51 hours. The second-place finisher also received a prize of $20,000.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 23, 2021 |title=MrBeast Crowns $100,000 'Finger on the App' Winner After 50-Hour Contest |url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2021/03/23/mrbeast-crowns-finger-on-the-app-winner-50-hours/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505162501/https://www.tubefilter.com/2021/03/23/mrbeast-crowns-finger-on-the-app-winner-50-hours/ |archive-date=May 5, 2021 |access-date=May 5, 2021 |website=Tubefilter.com}}</ref>
=== MrBeast Burger ===

===MrBeast Burger===
{{main|MrBeast Burger}}
{{main|MrBeast Burger}}
[[File:Mr. Beast Burger Restaurant in American Dream Mall East Rutherford New Jersey.jpg|thumb|A MrBeast Burger restaurant in New Jersey]]
Will Hyde, a producer for the MrBeast channel, announced in a November 2020 article with ''[[The Wake Weekly]]'' that Donaldson would launch a [[virtual restaurant]] called MrBeast Burger in December 2020. Hyde said his team worked with Virtual Dining Concepts during the development of the restaurant concept. He said that MrBeast Burger will sell franchise rights to serve the burgers to restaurants across the US and customers will be able to order the burgers via [[Online food ordering|online delivery services]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Handgraaf |first=Brie |date=November 10, 2020 |title=Fast food with a side of cash: Burger Boy becomes Mr. Beast Burger for the day |url=https://wakeweekly.com/stories/fast-food-with-a-side-of-cash-burger-boy-becomes-mr-beast-burger-for-the-day,220789 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130003724/https://wakeweekly.com/stories/fast-food-with-a-side-of-cash-burger-boy-becomes-mr-beast-burger-for-the-day,220789 |archive-date=November 30, 2020 |access-date=December 18, 2020 |website=[[The Wake Weekly]]}}</ref> Then in August 2022, Donaldson announced that he would bring a MrBeast Burger shop to the [[American Dream Meadowlands|American Dream Mall]] in [[East Rutherford, New Jersey|East Rutherford]], [[New Jersey]], near [[New York City]], to be the location of his first U.S. restaurant. The restaurant opened on September 4, 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Beast Mode at American Dream: MrBeast Burger opens first location to thousands of fans |url=https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/local/2022/09/04/mrbeast-burger-restaurant-opens-american-dream-mall-nj/65467642007/ |access-date=December 18, 2022 |website=North Jersey Media Group |language=en-US}}</ref>
Will Hyde, a producer for the MrBeast channel, announced in a November 2020 article with ''[[The Wake Weekly]]'' that Donaldson would launch a [[virtual restaurant]] called [[MrBeast Burger]] in December 2020. Hyde said his team worked with [[Virtual Dining Concepts]] while developing the restaurant concept. He said MrBeast Burger will sell franchise rights to serve the burgers to restaurants across the U.S., and customers will be able to order the burgers via [[Online food ordering|online delivery services]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Handgraaf |first=Brie |date=November 10, 2020 |title=Fast food with a side of cash: Burger Boy becomes Mr. Beast Burger for the day |url=https://wakeweekly.com/stories/fast-food-with-a-side-of-cash-burger-boy-becomes-mr-beast-burger-for-the-day,220789 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130003724/https://wakeweekly.com/stories/fast-food-with-a-side-of-cash-burger-boy-becomes-mr-beast-burger-for-the-day,220789 |archive-date=November 30, 2020 |access-date=December 18, 2020 |website=[[The Wake Weekly]]}}</ref> In August 2022, Donaldson announced that he would bring a MrBeast Burger shop to the [[American Dream Meadowlands|American Dream Mall]] in [[East Rutherford, New Jersey]], near [[New York City]], to be the location of his first U.S. restaurant. The restaurant opened on September 4, 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Beast Mode at American Dream: MrBeast Burger opens first location to thousands of fans |url=https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/local/2022/09/04/mrbeast-burger-restaurant-opens-american-dream-mall-nj/65467642007/ |access-date=December 18, 2022 |website=North Jersey Media Group |language=en-US |archive-date=September 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220905022705/https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/local/2022/09/04/mrbeast-burger-restaurant-opens-american-dream-mall-nj/65467642007/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


=== Feastables ===
===Feastables===
{{main|Feastables}}
[[File:Feastables Logo 06.2022.svg|thumb|Feastables logo]]
[[File:Feastables Milk Chocolate Bar.png|thumb|A new formula Feastables Bar|331x331px]]
In January 2022, Donaldson announced the creation of a new food company called Feastables, which launched with its own brand of chocolate bars called "MrBeast Bars." At launch they offered 3 flavors of bars, original, almond and quinoa crunch. The launch corresponded with a sweepstakes with over $1 million in prizes, including 10 grand prize winners who would receive a chance to [[Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (franchise)|compete for a chocolate factory]] in a future video.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Marcin |first=Tim |date=January 29, 2022 |title=I tried MrBeast's new chocolate bars. They're pretty good! |work=Mashable |url=https://mashable.com/article/mr-beast-chocolate-bars-review |url-status=live |access-date=February 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205225235/https://mashable.com/article/mr-beast-chocolate-bars-review |archive-date=February 5, 2022}}</ref> The video was released in June 2022, which featured [[Gordon Ramsay]] as a cake judge and a $500,000 cash prize.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Diaz |first=Eric |date=June 9, 2022 |title=Uncanny Replica of Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory Is Unsettling And Delicious |work=Nerdist |url=https://nerdist.com/article/willy-wonka-chocolate-factory-replica-competition-mrbeast/ |access-date=June 11, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Cheong |first=Charissa |date=June 6, 2022 |title=MrBeast recreated Willy Wonka's chocolate factory, featuring a toilet made of cake, a dessert contest judged by Gordon Ramsay, and a 'chocolate waterfall' |work=Insider |url=https://www.insider.com/mr-beast-gordon-ramsay-willy-wonkas-factory-youtube-video-2022-6 |access-date=June 11, 2022}}</ref> The video contained a series of elimination challenges where the winner won the chocolate factory. The video contained cameos from [[competitive eaters]] [[Matt Stonie]] & [[Joey Chestnut]].<ref name="Feasty weasty">{{cite web |title=MrBeast releases Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory video made in Kinston |url=https://www.neusenews.com/index/2022/6/6/mrbeast-releases-willy-wonkas-chocolate-factory-video-made-in-kinston |access-date=June 7, 2022 |website=Neuse News |publisher=}}</ref> On February 2, 2022, Feastables announced partnerships with [[Turtle Beach Corporation]] and [[Roccat]] to provide prizes for the sweepstakes.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Deck |first=Colton |date=February 2, 2022 |title=MrBeast teams up with Turtle Beach and ROCCAT for Feastables launch giveaway |work=Daily Dot |url=https://dotesports.com/hardware/news/mrbeast-teams-up-with-turtle-beach-and-roccat-for-feastables-launch-giveaway |url-status=live |access-date=February 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205225233/https://dotesports.com/hardware/news/mrbeast-teams-up-with-turtle-beach-and-roccat-for-feastables-launch-giveaway |archive-date=February 5, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=February 2, 2022 |title=Turtle Beach and ROCCAT Team-Up With MrBeast's New Feastables Snack Brand for Epic Gaming Accessory Giveaway |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220202005346/en/Turtle-Beach-and-ROCCAT-Team-Up-With-MrBeast%E2%80%99s-New-Feastables-Snack-Brand-for-Epic-Gaming-Accessory-Giveaway |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205225230/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220202005346/en/Turtle-Beach-and-ROCCAT-Team-Up-With-MrBeast%E2%80%99s-New-Feastables-Snack-Brand-for-Epic-Gaming-Accessory-Giveaway |archive-date=February 5, 2022 |access-date=February 5, 2022 |publisher=Business Wire}}</ref> Feastables reportedly made $10 million in its first few months of operation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Perelli |first=Amanda |title=How MrBeast's Feastables used giveaways and data to sell $10 million worth of chocolate bars |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/how-youtuber-mrbeast-feastables-uses-giveaways-data-to-sell-chocolate-2022-5 |access-date=2023-01-25 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}</ref>
In January 2022, Donaldson announced the creation of a new food company called Feastables, which launched its brand of chocolate bars called "Feastables". At launch, they offered three flavors of bars: original, almond, and [[quinoa]] crunch. The launch corresponded with a sweepstakes with over $1 million in prizes, including $10,000 prize winners who would receive a chance to compete for a chocolate factory in a future video, emulating [[Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (franchise)|''Charlie and the Chocolate Factory'']].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Marcin |first=Tim |date=January 29, 2022 |title=I tried MrBeast's new chocolate bars. They're pretty good! |work=Mashable |url=https://mashable.com/article/mr-beast-chocolate-bars-review |url-status=live |access-date=February 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205225235/https://mashable.com/article/mr-beast-chocolate-bars-review |archive-date=February 5, 2022}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=May 2024}} The video, released in June 2022, contained a series of elimination challenges where the winner won the choice of the chocolate factory or a $500,000 cash prize. [[Michelin Guide|Michelin Star]] chef [[Gordon Ramsay]] featured as a judge in the final challenge of the video and ultimately decided who won the cash prize.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Diaz |first=Eric |date=June 9, 2022 |title=Uncanny Replica of Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory Is Unsettling And Delicious |work=Nerdist |url=https://nerdist.com/article/willy-wonka-chocolate-factory-replica-competition-mrbeast/ |access-date=June 11, 2022 |archive-date=June 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220610184236/https://nerdist.com/article/willy-wonka-chocolate-factory-replica-competition-mrbeast/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Cheong |first=Charissa |date=June 6, 2022 |title=MrBeast recreated Willy Wonka's chocolate factory, featuring a toilet made of cake, a dessert contest judged by Gordon Ramsay, and a 'chocolate waterfall' |work=Insider |url=https://www.insider.com/mr-beast-gordon-ramsay-willy-wonkas-factory-youtube-video-2022-6 |access-date=June 11, 2022 |archive-date=October 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231018102538/https://www.insider.com/mr-beast-gordon-ramsay-willy-wonkas-factory-youtube-video-2022-6 |url-status=live }}</ref> Feastables reportedly made $10{{Nbsp}}million in its first few months of operation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Perelli |first=Amanda |title=How MrBeast's Feastables used giveaways and data to sell $10 million worth of chocolate bars |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/how-youtuber-mrbeast-feastables-uses-giveaways-data-to-sell-chocolate-2022-5 |access-date=January 25, 2023 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US |archive-date=January 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125202432/https://www.businessinsider.com/how-youtuber-mrbeast-feastables-uses-giveaways-data-to-sell-chocolate-2022-5 |url-status=live }}</ref>


On March 3, 2023, Donaldson asked fans on Twitter to "clean up the presentation" of Feastables displays on store shelves and suggested that they obscure competing products. Feastables offered fans entry into a $5,000 raffle if they provided proof of their assistance. The tweets drew criticism and accusations that Feastables was exploiting fans for unpaid labor.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grisafi |first=Patricia |date=March 7, 2023 |title=MrBeast sparks debate on Twitter after asking fans to clean up Feastables candy displays at Walmart |url=https://www.dailydot.com/unclick/mrbeast-sparks-debate-feastables-candy-displays-walmart-2/ |access-date=March 25, 2023 |website=The Daily Dot |language=en-US |archive-date=March 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325064538/https://www.dailydot.com/unclick/mrbeast-sparks-debate-feastables-candy-displays-walmart-2/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=March 6, 2023 |title=MrBeast stirs backlash after asking fans to fix Walmart displays for his Feastables chocolate bars |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/mrbeast-tweet-walmart-feastables-rcna73546 |access-date=March 25, 2023 |website=NBC News |language=en |archive-date=March 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325064547/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/mrbeast-tweet-walmart-feastables-rcna73546 |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Investments and partnerships ===

Donaldson is an investor in the tech startup Backbone, which produces the Backbone One, a controller that makes smartphones appear more similar to Nintendo Switch controllers, and the Backbone app, a content creation and social tools app for its users.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 27, 2020 |title=MrBeast-Backed Gaming Venture Launches Backbone One, A Controller That Turns iPhones into Consoles |url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2020/10/27/mrbeast-night-media-backbone-one-controller/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505165241/https://www.tubefilter.com/2020/10/27/mrbeast-night-media-backbone-one-controller/ |archive-date=May 5, 2021 |access-date=May 5, 2021 |website=Tubefilter.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=October 27, 2020 |title=Backed by Mr. Beast and Nadeshot, Backbone One could finally crack mobile gaming |url=https://social.techcrunch.com/2020/10/27/with-backing-from-mr-beast-and-nadeshot-backbone-one-could-finally-crack-competitive-mobile-gaming/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224084331/https://techcrunch.com/2020/10/27/with-backing-from-mr-beast-and-nadeshot-backbone-one-could-finally-crack-competitive-mobile-gaming/ |archive-date=February 24, 2022 |access-date=May 5, 2021 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}</ref>
On October 2, 2023, Feastables signed a partnership with the [[Charlotte Hornets]] to include MrBeast's insignia on their jerseys for the [[2023–24 NBA season]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Roth |first=Emma |title=MrBeast is putting his snack brand's logo on NBA jerseys |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/10/2/23899984/mrbeast-feastables-charlotte-hornets-nba-jersey-logo |work=The Verge |date=October 2, 2023 |language=en |access-date=October 14, 2023 |archive-date=October 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014163004/https://www.theverge.com/2023/10/2/23899984/mrbeast-feastables-charlotte-hornets-nba-jersey-logo |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Fischer |first=Sara |title=Charlotte Hornets sign MrBeast's "Feastables" as official jersey patch partner |url=https://www.axios.com/2023/10/02/charlotte-hornets-sign-mrbeasts-feastables-as-official-jersey-patch-partner |work=Axios |access-date=October 14, 2023 |archive-date=October 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015000438/https://www.axios.com/2023/10/02/charlotte-hornets-sign-mrbeasts-feastables-as-official-jersey-patch-partner |url-status=live }}</ref> However, the partnership has since ended.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-07-16 |title=Hornets searching for jersey patch sponsor after MrBeast's Feastables departure |url=https://www.wcnc.com/article/sports/nba/hornets/hornets-jersey-patch-sponsor-mrbeast-feastables/275-fddac5b6-75e0-4506-b26b-c49df398c445 |access-date=2024-11-21 |website=wcnc.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

On January 11, 2024, Donaldson announced changes to the original Feastables bar, including a new shape and formula.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}}

===Lunchly===
{{Main article|Lunchly}}
[[File:Lunchly Fiesta Nachos.jpg|thumb|Lunchly-brand "nacho chips with queso blanco and salsa" snack kit]]
In September 2024, Donaldson announced the Lunchly brand of snack kits. The brand, marketed as a healthier alternative to [[Lunchables]], was founded as joint venture with fellow YouTubers [[KSI|Olajide "KSI" Olatunji]] and [[Logan Paul]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Weprin |first=Alex |date=2024-09-16 |title=MrBeast and Logan Paul Team Up to Launch Competitor to Lunchables |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/mr-beast-logan-paul-team-lunchly-lunchables-competitor-1236003924/ |access-date=2024-09-22 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref>

At launch, each box included [[Prime (drink)|Prime]] and Feastables, existing products offered by the creators, along with three varieties of [[Turkey meat|turkey]] with [[cheese and crackers]], [[nachos]] with [[Salsa (food)|salsa]] and cheese, or [[pizza]].<ref name="forbes">{{Cite web |last=Roeloffs |first=Mary |date=2024-09-16 |title=MrBeast, Logan Paul And KSI Launch Lunchables Competitor 'Lunchly'—Here's What To Know |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/2024/09/16/mrbeast-logan-paul-and-ksi-launch-lunchables-competitor-lunchly-heres-what-to-know/ |access-date=2024-09-22 |website=[[Forbes]]}}</ref>

Lunchly faced substantial criticism on various social media platforms from individuals who questioned the marketing tactics and nutritional quality of the lunch kit. Notably, YouTuber [[DanTDM]] expressed his disapproval of Lunchly by posting on his [[Twitter|X (formerly Twitter)]] profile, "This is selling crap to kids who don't know better than to trust the people who are selling it to them."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Marshall |first=Cass |date=2024-09-24 |title=The MrBeast controversy era continues, with lunch packs and a lawsuit |url=https://www.polygon.com/culture/455739/mrbeast-controversy-continues-lunchly-lunch-packs |access-date=2024-09-26 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Investments and partnerships===
Donaldson is an investor in the tech startup [[Backbone (company)|Backbone]], which produces the [[Backbone One]], a controller that makes smartphones appear more similar to Nintendo Switch controllers, and the Backbone app, a content creation and social tools app for its users.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 27, 2020 |title=MrBeast-Backed Gaming Venture Launches Backbone One, A Controller That Turns iPhones into Consoles |url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2020/10/27/mrbeast-night-media-backbone-one-controller/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505165241/https://www.tubefilter.com/2020/10/27/mrbeast-night-media-backbone-one-controller/ |archive-date=May 5, 2021 |access-date=May 5, 2021 |website=Tubefilter.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=October 27, 2020 |title=Backed by Mr. Beast and Nadeshot, Backbone One could finally crack mobile gaming |url=https://techcrunch.com/2020/10/27/with-backing-from-mr-beast-and-nadeshot-backbone-one-could-finally-crack-competitive-mobile-gaming/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224084331/https://techcrunch.com/2020/10/27/with-backing-from-mr-beast-and-nadeshot-backbone-one-could-finally-crack-competitive-mobile-gaming/ |archive-date=February 24, 2022 |access-date=May 5, 2021 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}</ref>


In March 2021, Donaldson partnered with Creative Juice financial network to introduce Juice Funds, a $2 million investment fund for content creators.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kastrenakes |first=Jacob |date=March 24, 2021 |title=MrBeast working with $2 million fund to invest in up-and-coming creators |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/3/24/22348926/mrbeast-creator-investment-fund-creative-juice |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505165759/https://www.theverge.com/2021/3/24/22348926/mrbeast-creator-investment-fund-creative-juice |archive-date=May 5, 2021 |access-date=May 5, 2021 |website=The Verge |language=en}}</ref><ref name="2021-nyt-youtube">{{Cite news |last=Lorenz |first=Taylor |date=May 4, 2021 |title=Mr. Beast, YouTube Star, Wants to Take Over the Business World |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/04/technology/mr-beast-youtube.html |url-status=live |access-date=May 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504211043/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/04/technology/mr-beast-youtube.html |archive-date=May 4, 2021 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
In March 2021, Donaldson partnered with Creative Juice financial network to introduce Juice Funds, a $2 million investment fund for content creators.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kastrenakes |first=Jacob |date=March 24, 2021 |title=MrBeast working with $2 million fund to invest in up-and-coming creators |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/3/24/22348926/mrbeast-creator-investment-fund-creative-juice |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505165759/https://www.theverge.com/2021/3/24/22348926/mrbeast-creator-investment-fund-creative-juice |archive-date=May 5, 2021 |access-date=May 5, 2021 |website=The Verge |language=en}}</ref><ref name="2021-nyt-youtube">{{Cite news |last=Lorenz |first=Taylor |date=May 4, 2021 |title=Mr. Beast, YouTube Star, Wants to Take Over the Business World |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/04/technology/mr-beast-youtube.html |url-status=live |access-date=May 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504211043/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/04/technology/mr-beast-youtube.html |archive-date=May 4, 2021 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>


In April 2021, Donaldson became a long-term investor and partner of [[financial technology]] company Current.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 26, 2021 |title=MrBeast Invests in Fintech Company 'Current,' Kicks off Long-Term Partnership with $100,000 Giveaway |url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2021/04/26/mrbeast-invests-current-banking-app-giveaway/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429202907/https://www.tubefilter.com/2021/04/26/mrbeast-invests-current-banking-app-giveaway/ |archive-date=April 29, 2021 |access-date=May 5, 2021 |website=Tubefilter.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Current |title=Current and MrBeast announce exclusive, long-term partnership and investment |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/current-and-mrbeast-announce-exclusive-long-term-partnership-and-investment-301276548.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506105223/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/current-and-mrbeast-announce-exclusive-long-term-partnership-and-investment-301276548.html |archive-date=May 6, 2021 |access-date=May 5, 2021 |website=Prnewswire.com |language=en}}</ref> The same month, Donaldson received backlash after fans lost large amounts of money in a [[cryptocurrency]] scheme that Donaldson had invested in and promoted.<ref name="2021-nyt-youtube" />
In April 2021, Donaldson became a long-term investor and partner of [[financial technology]] company Current.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 26, 2021 |title=MrBeast Invests in Fintech Company 'Current,' Kicks off Long-Term Partnership with $100,000 Giveaway |url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2021/04/26/mrbeast-invests-current-banking-app-giveaway/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429202907/https://www.tubefilter.com/2021/04/26/mrbeast-invests-current-banking-app-giveaway/ |archive-date=April 29, 2021 |access-date=May 5, 2021 |website=Tubefilter.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite press release |last=Current |title=Current and MrBeast announce exclusive, long-term partnership and investment |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/current-and-mrbeast-announce-exclusive-long-term-partnership-and-investment-301276548.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506105223/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/current-and-mrbeast-announce-exclusive-long-term-partnership-and-investment-301276548.html |archive-date=May 6, 2021 |access-date=May 5, 2021 |website=Prnewswire.com |language=en}}</ref> The same month, Donaldson received backlash after fans lost large amounts of money in a [[cryptocurrency]] scheme that Donaldson had invested in and promoted.<ref name="2021-nyt-youtube" />

In November 2022, Donaldson partnered with [[East Carolina University]] to create a course centered around YouTube content creation.<ref>{{cite web |last=Shaffer |first=Josh |title=NC's MrBeast is the world's most popular YouTuber. He's sharing his techniques at ECU. |url=https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article268869797.html |website=The News & Observer |access-date=October 14, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Tester |first=Brandon |title=East Carolina University, MrBeast to create exclusive educational partnership |url=https://www.wbtw.com/news/state-regional-news/east-carolina-university-mrbeast-to-create-exclusive-educational-partnership/ |website=WBTW |access-date=October 14, 2023 |date=November 16, 2022 |archive-date=October 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015000435/https://www.wbtw.com/news/state-regional-news/east-carolina-university-mrbeast-to-create-exclusive-educational-partnership/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In May 2023, Donaldson was featured as a guest judge on Gordon Ramsay's ''[[Gordon Ramsay's Food Stars|Food Stars]]'' show.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Malonepublished |first=Michael |date=2023-06-14 |title=MrBeast Turns Up on 'Gordon Ramsay's Food Stars' |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/mrbeast-turns-up-on-gordon-ramsays-food-stars |access-date=2024-11-12 |website=[[Broadcasting & Cable]] |language=en}}</ref>

===FAST Channel===
In 2023, a [[free ad-supported streaming television]] network named Mr. Beast that only shows previously released MrBeast YouTube videos began airing on the [[The Roku Channel|Roku Channel]] service.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cranz |first=Alex |date=August 15, 2023 |title=The Roku Channel is getting better about news |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/8/15/23832753/roku-channel-cbs-fox-news-mr-beast |access-date=December 28, 2023 |website=The Verge |language=en |archive-date=January 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240114151825/https://www.theverge.com/2023/8/15/23832753/roku-channel-cbs-fox-news-mr-beast |url-status=live }}</ref>

===''Beast Games''===
{{Main|Beast Games}}
{{See also|Beast Games lawsuit}}

In March 2024, Donaldson and [[Amazon MGM Studios]] announced their plans to create a new reality competition series ''[[Beast Games]]'', set to air exclusively on [[Amazon Prime Video|Prime Video.]] It is set to become the biggest reality competition series with 1,000 contestants competing for a $5{{Nbsp}}million cash prize—the biggest single prize in the history of television and streaming.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 19, 2024 |title=MrBeast and Amazon MGM Studios announce the new reality competition series 'Beast Games' |url=https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/entertainment/beast-games-mrbeast-prime-video |access-date=May 30, 2024 |website=US About Amazon |language=en |archive-date=May 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240530213802/https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/entertainment/beast-games-mrbeast-prime-video |url-status=live }}</ref>

The show faced criticism after [[Beast Games lawsuit|contestants complained]] that they had been denied food, water, medication, and beds during production. Several contestants were hospitalized during the first filming sessions, with over a dozen contestants claiming that various injuries had occurred while participating in the challenges and that many had been seen being removed from the arena on stretchers.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kircher |first=Madison Malone |date=August 2, 2024 |title=Willing to Die for MrBeast (and $5 Million) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/02/style/mrbeast-beast-games-competition-show.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802150655/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/02/style/mrbeast-beast-games-competition-show.html |archive-date=August 2, 2024 |access-date=August 2, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{cite web |last1=Beaty |first1=Thalia |last2=Pollard |first2=James |date=August 3, 2024 |title=MrBeast's giant reality competition faces safety complaints from initial contestants |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/mrbeasts-giant-reality-competition-faces-safety-complaints-initial-112530149 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240803024925/https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/mrbeasts-giant-reality-competition-faces-safety-complaints-initial-112530149 |archive-date=August 3, 2024 |access-date=August 3, 2024 |website=ABC News |language=en}}</ref> A spokesperson of Donaldson would blame external factors such as [[2024 CrowdStrike incident|the global computer systems outage caused by CrowdStrike's update to its software]], "extreme weather and other unexpected logistical and communications issues".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hollister |first=Sean |date=August 2, 2024 |title=MrBeast blames terrible Beast Games conditions on the CrowdStrike outage |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/8/2/24212298/mrbeast-beast-games-crowdstrike |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802235022/https://www.theverge.com/2024/8/2/24212298/mrbeast-beast-games-crowdstrike |archive-date=August 2, 2024 |access-date=August 3, 2024 |website=The Verge |language=en}}</ref>

==Controversies==
{{See also|List of lawsuits involving MrBeast}}

===Working conditions===
Some former employees alleged that Donaldson nurtured a difficult work environment. In a May 2021 ''[[The New York Times|New York Times]]'' article, Matt Turner, an editor for Donaldson from February 2018 to September 2019, claimed that Donaldson berated him almost daily, including calling him a "retard". Turner reported that he was regularly not credited for his work.<ref name="2021-nyt-youtube" /> Reporting by ''[[Insider (website)|Insider]]'' showed that Turner previously posted a video in 2018 explaining his allegations and, in October 2019, released a deleted Twitter thread which stated that he was "yelled at, bullied, called mentally retarded and replaceable by Donaldson every single day".<ref name="FormerEmployeesInsider" /> Nate Anderson, another editor, quit after working for Donaldson for a week in 2018 over what he said were unreasonable demands and called Donaldson a perfectionist. After releasing a video describing his experience, Anderson reportedly received death threats from Donaldson's fans. Nine other employees who worked for Donaldson also stated that while he was sometimes generous, his demeanor would change when the cameras were off.<ref name="2021-nyt-youtube" /><ref name="FormerEmployeesInsider">{{Cite web |last=Asarch |first=Steven |title=Former employees of YouTuber MrBeast alleged the star created a toxic work environment where he berated and belittled staff, report says |url=https://www.insider.com/mrbeast-former-employees-allege-youtuber-berated-staff-used-slur-2021-5 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224084331/https://www.insider.com/mrbeast-former-employees-allege-youtuber-berated-staff-used-slur-2021-5 |archive-date=February 24, 2022 |access-date=May 5, 2021 |website=[[Insider (website)|Insider]]}}</ref> Donaldson disputes these claims, stating: "We have high standards, but it’s not a toxic work environment". Donaldson also claims that he gave Turner $10,000 and suggested a job at another company to him at the end of his contract.<ref name=":7" />

===MrBeast Burger===
{{Main article|List of lawsuits involving MrBeast#MrBeast Burger}}
On June 17, 2023, Donaldson expressed wishes to shut down MrBeast Burger due to fears that quality cannot be guaranteed, saying he regrets signing "a bad deal" with [[Virtual Dining Concepts]], LLC, but said the company "won't let me stop even though it's terrible for my brand".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Robson |first=Shay |date=June 17, 2023 |title=MrBeast "moving on" from Beast Burger restaurants after just two years |url=https://www.dexerto.com/entertainment/mrbeast-moving-on-from-beast-burger-restaurants-after-just-two-years-2180833/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230618160643/https://www.dexerto.com/entertainment/mrbeast-moving-on-from-beast-burger-restaurants-after-just-two-years-2180833/ |archive-date=June 18, 2023 |access-date=June 18, 2023 |website=Dexerto}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Das Mahapatra |first=Tuhin |date=June 20, 2023 |title='I can't guarantee the quality of the order,' MrBeast regrets launching Beast Burger, Shifts focus to feastables amid |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/others/i-cant-guarantee-the-quality-of-the-order-mrbeast-regrets-launching-beast-burger-shifts-focus-to-feastables-amid-101687260817971.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627215226/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/others/i-cant-guarantee-the-quality-of-the-order-mrbeast-regrets-launching-beast-burger-shifts-focus-to-feastables-amid-101687260817971.html |archive-date=June 27, 2023 |access-date=June 27, 2023 |website=[[Hindustan Times]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Strozewski |first=Zoe |date=June 21, 2023 |title=Controversial Burger Brand MrBeast May Be Closing Up Shop |url=https://www.eatthis.com/mrbeast-burger-may-be-closing-up-shop/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627215227/https://www.eatthis.com/mrbeast-burger-may-be-closing-up-shop/ |archive-date=June 27, 2023 |access-date=June 27, 2023 |website=[[Eat This Not That]] |language=en}}</ref> On July 31, 2023, Donaldson sued Virtual Dining Concepts to end their partnership, alleging that the company damaged Donaldson's reputation by prioritizing the expansion of the MrBeast Burger brand over food quality. Donaldson also claimed he received no payment from the partnership.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sato |first=Mia |date=July 31, 2023 |title=MrBeast is suing his ghost kitchen partner over "inedible" MrBeast Burgers |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/7/31/23814558/mrbeast-sues-ghost-kitchen-partner-burger-virtual-dining-concepts |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801183616/https://www.theverge.com/2023/7/31/23814558/mrbeast-sues-ghost-kitchen-partner-burger-virtual-dining-concepts |archive-date=August 1, 2023 |access-date=August 1, 2023 |website=The Verge |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Gerken |first=Tom |date=August 1, 2023 |title=MrBeast sues fast food company over 'revolting' burger |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-66372675 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801185524/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-66372675 |archive-date=August 1, 2023 |access-date=August 1, 2023 |publisher=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> Virtual Dining Concepts disputed the claims, stating Donaldson had grown his reputation due to the MrBeast Burger brand, and accused Donaldson of attempting a new deal for personal gain and resorting to "bullying" when rejected.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gerken |first=Tom |date=August 2, 2023 |title=MrBeast Burger firm accuses YouTuber of 'bullying' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-66372677 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803215740/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-66372677 |archive-date=August 3, 2023 |access-date=August 3, 2023 |publisher=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>

===Allegations against Ava Kris Tyson===
On July 24, 2024, Donaldson removed Ava Kris Tyson, one of the original cast members, from the MrBeast brand following allegations against Tyson of sexual misconduct with multiple minors and of pressuring a former employee to perform sexual acts.<ref name=":10">{{Cite magazine |last=Asarch |first=Steven |date=August 8, 2024 |title=Ava Kris Tyson 'Used Me': Former MrBeast Collaborator Accused of Sexual Misconduct |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/ava-kris-tyson-mrbeast-sexual-misconduct-claims-1235075537/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808052706/https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/ava-kris-tyson-mrbeast-sexual-misconduct-claims-1235075537/ |archive-date=August 8, 2024 |access-date=August 8, 2024 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref> However, Tyson put out her own statement, saying she willingly stepped away and that her decision to leave was mutual.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Haring |first=Bruce |date=July 24, 2024 |title=MrBeast Co-Host Steps Aside After Allegations Of Grooming A Minor |url=https://deadline.com/2024/07/mrbeast-co-host-steps-aside-allegations-grooming-minor-1236021014/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240725005459/https://deadline.com/2024/07/mrbeast-co-host-steps-aside-allegations-grooming-minor-1236021014/ |archive-date=July 25, 2024 |access-date=July 25, 2024 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood|Deadline]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Parkel |first=Inga |date=July 25, 2024 |title=MrBeast 'disgusted' by grooming accusations against longtime collaborator Ava Kris Tyson |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/mrbeast-ava-kris-tyson-grooming-b2585844.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240725165618/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/mrbeast-ava-kris-tyson-grooming-b2585844.html |archive-date=July 25, 2024 |access-date=July 25, 2024 |website=[[The Independent]]}}</ref> One of the alleged victims initially responded to the allegations by denying that he had been groomed, referring to it as "massive lies and twisting the truth" and claimed that Tyson had only "made a few edgy jokes".<ref>{{cite news |last=Donnelly |first=Dylan |date=July 24, 2024 |title=MrBeast's co-host Ava Kris Tyson quits YouTube channel and denies grooming allegations |url=https://news.sky.com/story/mrbeasts-co-host-ava-kris-tyson-quits-youtube-channel-and-denies-grooming-allegations-13184319 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240724162540/https://news.sky.com/story/mrbeasts-co-host-ava-kris-tyson-quits-youtube-channel-and-denies-grooming-allegations-13184319 |archive-date=July 24, 2024 |access-date=July 24, 2024 |work=[[Sky News]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Collins |first=Riyah |date=July 24, 2024 |title=MrBeast co-host Ava Kris Tyson quits over grooming claims |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cw8y2w5n220o |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240724101642/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cw8y2w5n220o |archive-date=July 24, 2024 |access-date=July 24, 2024 |publisher=[[BBC News]] |language=en-GB}}</ref> He later rescinded the statement and said that the conversations were inappropriate for his age and acknowledged that he was a minor who did not recognize the wrongdoing at the time.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Haring |first=Bruce |date=July 27, 2024 |title=MrBeast Co-Host's Alleged Grooming Victim Changes Tune, Condemns Interactions |url=https://deadline.com/2024/07/mrbeast-co-hosts-alleged-grooming-victim-changes-tune-1236024442/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240727040738/https://deadline.com/2024/07/mrbeast-co-hosts-alleged-grooming-victim-changes-tune-1236024442/ |archive-date=July 27, 2024 |access-date=July 27, 2024 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref> Donaldson released a statement saying he was hiring an independent investigator to look further into the matter.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Collins |first=Riyah |date=July 25, 2024 |title=MrBeast hires investigators over Ava Kris Tyson grooming claims |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgr5pgevr39o |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240725083618/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgr5pgevr39o |archive-date=July 25, 2024 |access-date=July 25, 2024 |publisher=[[BBC News]] |language=en-GB}}</ref>

On November 1, the law firm [[Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan]], hired by MrBeast to conduct a third-party investigation,<ref name=":1" /> concluded the allegations were baseless, after conducting "39 interviews of current and former employees" and reviewing "over 4.5 million documents from mobile phones, emails, Telegrams, Discords, WhatsApps and Slack".<ref name=":1" /> The law firm reported that: "The allegations were soundly rejected, including by alleged victims."<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last1=Melas |first1=Chloe |last2=Tolentino |first2=Daysia |date=2024-11-01 |title=Sexual misconduct allegations directed at former MrBeast collaborator are baseless, law firm probe finds |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/mrbeast-jimmy-donaldson-allegations-legal-probe-findings-rcna178416 |access-date=2024-11-10 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref> These alleged victims have commented on the allegations as "massive lies,"<ref>{{Cite news |last=Collins |first=Riyah |date=July 24, 2024 |title=MrBeast co-host Ava Kris Tyson quits over grooming claims |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cw8y2w5n220o |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240724101642/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cw8y2w5n220o |archive-date=July 24, 2024 |access-date=July 24, 2024 |publisher=[[BBC News]] |language=en-GB}}</ref> with one saying, "People used my name to make very serious allegations and claims without ever speaking to me."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-02 |title=MrBeast: Lawyers find grooming claims against YouTube co-host baseless |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czxrn5k22p4o |access-date=2024-11-10 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>

===Accusations against Donaldson===
On July 24, 2024, one of Donaldson's former employees released a YouTube video accusing Donaldson of rigging contests, running illegal lotteries, and deceiving his fans.<ref name="2024-07-31 AP">{{cite news |last1=Pollard |first1=James |last2=Beaty |first2=Thalia |date=July 31, 2024 |title=MrBeast, YouTube's biggest star, acknowledges past 'inappropriate language' as controversies swirl |url=https://apnews.com/article/mrbeast-jimmy-donaldson-allegations-philanthropy-feastibles-742306d7c77e2eca8d895bf439790c69 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240803131057/https://apnews.com/article/mrbeast-jimmy-donaldson-allegations-philanthropy-feastibles-742306d7c77e2eca8d895bf439790c69 |archive-date=August 3, 2024 |access-date=August 4, 2024 |publisher=[[Associated Press]] |location=New York |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Marshall |first1=Cass |date=August 2, 2024 |title=MrBeast's new social media firestorms, explained |url=https://www.polygon.com/24211562/mrbeast-recent-controversies-ava-kris-tyson-fraud-video-beast-games |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240803013052/https://www.polygon.com/24211562/mrbeast-recent-controversies-ava-kris-tyson-fraud-video-beast-games |archive-date=August 3, 2024 |access-date=August 3, 2024 |website=Polygon}}</ref> In a second video, the uploader interviewed another former employee who described poor working conditions and Donaldson hiring Jake Franklin's brother-in-law,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ettinger |first=Marlon |date=2024-08-09 |title=Who is Delaware, the alleged sex offender in multiple MrBeast videos? |url=https://www.dailydot.com/debug/mrbeast-delaware-sex-offender/ |access-date=2024-08-20 |website=The Daily Dot |language=en-US}}</ref> a registered sex offender, who was charged with assaulting a minor. The uploader also alleged that Donaldson's cameraman sexually harassed multiple women.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lopez |first=Alexandria |date=August 8, 2024 |title=Alarming New Allegations Against MrBeast Arise From Former Employee |url=https://www.themarysue.com/mrbeast-jake-weddle-controversy-explained/ |access-date=August 8, 2024 |website=The Mary Sue}}</ref>

===Class action lawsuit===
{{Main article|Beast Games lawsuit}}

In September 2024, a [[class action lawsuit]] on behalf of former contestants of Beast Games [[Beast Games lawsuit|was filed]] against Donaldson, Amazon, and associated production companies in [[Los Angeles Superior Court]]. The lawsuit alleged that the Beast Games contestants experienced widespread mistreatment, sexual harassment, and unpaid expenses and wages.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=2024-09-18 |title=MrBeast, Amazon Sued by Contestants on 'Beast Games' Competition Show, With Allegations Including Sexual Harassment and 'Chronic Mistreatment' |url=https://variety.com/2024/digital/news/mrbeast-amazon-sued-beast-games-contestants-class-action-1236148181/ |access-date=2024-10-27 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Kircher |first=Madison Malone |date=2024-09-18 |title='Beast Games' Contestants File Lawsuit Claiming 'Dangerous Conditions' on Set |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/18/style/mrbeast-reality-show-lawsuit.html |access-date=2024-10-27 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> The lawsuit also alleged that these violations occurred for the purpose of gaining Nevada tax credits: “Plaintiffs and the Proposed Class [were forced] to enter into illegal contracts and provid[e] false information to the State of Nevada to obtain unearned tax credits.”<ref>{{Cite web |last=Patten |first=Dominic |date=2024-09-18 |title=MrBeast & Amazon Hit With Sexual Harassment, Wages & Nevada Tax Credits-Scamming Class Action Suit By Game Show Contestants |url=https://deadline.com/2024/09/mrbeast-sexual-harassment-wages-lawsuit-amazon-1236092640/ |access-date=2024-10-06 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref>


== Philanthropy ==
==Philanthropy==
=== Team Trees ===
===#TeamTrees===
{{main|Team Trees}}
{{main|Team Trees}}
[[File:Team Trees logo.svg|thumb|[[Team Trees]]]]
[[File:Team Trees logo.svg|thumb|[[Team Trees]]]]
On October 25, 2019, Donaldson and former [[NASA]] engineer and YouTuber [[Mark Rober]] announced a collaborative fundraising challenge event on YouTube called #TeamTrees. The goal of this project was to raise $20&nbsp;million for the [[Arbor Day Foundation]] by January 1, 2020, and plant trees "no later than December 2022." Every donation goes to the Arbor Day Foundation, which pledges to plant one tree for every dollar donated. Notable YouTubers such as [[Rhett & Link]], [[Marshmello]], [[iJustine]], [[Marques Brownlee]], [[The Slow Mo Guys]], [[Ninja (video game player)|Ninja]], [[Simone Giertz]], [[Jacksepticeye]], and [[Smarter Every Day]] brought attention to the project, and trees began to be planted in October 2019 in [[List of national parks of the United States|US national parks]].<ref name="theverge20926852">{{Cite web |last=Alexander |first=Julia |date=October 25, 2019 |title=MrBeast partners with more than 600 YouTubers, including PewDiePie and MKBHD, to plant 20 million trees |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/10/25/20926852/mrbeast-teamtrees-charity-donations-pewdiepie-mkbhd-youtube-trending-tree-planting |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191028221715/https://www.theverge.com/2019/10/25/20926852/mrbeast-teamtrees-charity-donations-pewdiepie-mkbhd-youtube-trending-tree-planting |archive-date=October 28, 2019 |access-date=October 30, 2019 |website=[[The Verge]]}}</ref><ref name="insider">{{Cite web |last=Tenbarge |first=Ken |date=October 27, 2019 |title=Here's why the top YouTubers from all corners of the platform are talking about planting 20 million trees for #TeamTrees |url=https://www.insider.com/why-top-youtubers-talking-about-planting-20-million-team-trees-2019-10 |access-date=October 30, 2019 |website=[[Insider Inc.]]}}</ref> On December 19 of that year, the $20,000,000 goal was surpassed.<ref>{{Cite web |title=TeamTrees |url=https://www.facebook.com/teamtreesofficial/photos/a.127395948672470/153160966095968/?type=3 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201015121111/https://www.facebook.com/teamtreesofficial/photos/a.127395948672470/153160966095968/?type=3 |archive-date=October 15, 2020 |access-date=December 19, 2019 |website=Facebook |language=en}}</ref> The project has received large donations from corporate executives [[Jack Dorsey]], [[Susan Wojcicki]], [[Elon Musk]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=David |date=October 30, 2019 |title=YouTube star MrBeast wants to plant 20 million trees. Elon Musk, Jack Dorsey, and more are helping him do it. |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/10/30/us/youtube-mrbeast-trees-trnd/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191030234714/https://edition.cnn.com/2019/10/30/us/youtube-mrbeast-trees-trnd/ |archive-date=October 30, 2019 |access-date=October 31, 2019 |website=CNN}}</ref> and [[Tobias Lütke]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leskin |first=Paige |date=November 10, 2019 |title=A YouTuber launched a viral campaign to plant 20 million trees by 2020. Here's the list of prominent people who have donated, including Elon Musk, Jeffree Star, and other tech CEOs and YouTube personalities |url=https://www.businessinsider.com.au/elon-musk-pewdiepie-jeffree-star-donate-mrbeast-youtube-tree-planting-2019-10?r=US&IR=T |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201015121018/https://www.businessinsider.com.au/elon-musk-pewdiepie-jeffree-star-donate-mrbeast-youtube-tree-planting-2019-10?r=US&IR=T |archive-date=October 15, 2020 |access-date=November 19, 2019 |website=Business Insider}}</ref>, as well as from companies such as [[Discovery Channel|Discovery]], [[Verizon Communications|Verizon]] and [[Plants vs. Zombies]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Help Us Plant 20 Million Trees – Join #TeamTrees |url=https://teamtrees.org/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200517210957/https://teamtrees.org/ |archive-date=May 17, 2020 |access-date=January 29, 2021 |website=teamtrees.org |language=en}}</ref> [[Tobias Lütke]], founder and CEO of Shopify, holds the record for the highest donation at 1,000,001 trees planted.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Team Trees leaderboard |url=https://teamtrees.org// |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230211125910/https://teamtrees.org/ |archive-date=February 11, 2023 |access-date=February 11, 2023 |website=teamseas}}</ref> As of February 11, 2023, the original goal of 20 million trees has been far surpassed, with over 24.3 million trees in the ground.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Team Trees count |url=https://teamtrees.org// |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230211125910/https://teamtrees.org/ |archive-date=February 11, 2023 |access-date=February 11, 2023 |website=teamseas}}</ref>
On October 25, 2019, Donaldson and former [[NASA]] engineer and YouTuber [[Mark Rober]] announced a collaborative fundraising challenge event on YouTube called #TeamTrees. The goal of this project was to raise $20&nbsp;million for the [[Arbor Day Foundation]] by January 1, 2020, and plant trees "no later than December 2022". Every donation goes to the Arbor Day Foundation, which pledges to plant one tree for every dollar donated. Notable YouTubers such as [[Rhett & Link]], [[Marshmello]], [[iJustine]], [[Marques Brownlee]], [[The Slow Mo Guys]], [[Ninja (video game player)|Ninja]], [[Simone Giertz]], [[Jacksepticeye]], and [[Smarter Every Day]] brought attention to the project, and trees began to be planted in October 2019 in US national parks.<ref name="theverge20926852">{{Cite web |last=Alexander |first=Julia |date=October 25, 2019 |title=MrBeast partners with more than 600 YouTubers, including PewDiePie and MKBHD, to plant 20 million trees |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/10/25/20926852/mrbeast-teamtrees-charity-donations-pewdiepie-mkbhd-youtube-trending-tree-planting |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191028221715/https://www.theverge.com/2019/10/25/20926852/mrbeast-teamtrees-charity-donations-pewdiepie-mkbhd-youtube-trending-tree-planting |archive-date=October 28, 2019 |access-date=October 30, 2019 |website=[[The Verge]]}}</ref><ref name="insider">{{Cite web |last=Tenbarge |first=Ken |date=October 27, 2019 |title=Here's why the top YouTubers from all corners of the platform are talking about planting 20 million trees for #TeamTrees |url=https://www.insider.com/why-top-youtubers-talking-about-planting-20-million-team-trees-2019-10 |access-date=October 30, 2019 |website=[[Insider Inc.]] |archive-date=April 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416215304/https://www.insider.com/why-top-youtubers-talking-about-planting-20-million-team-trees-2019-10 |url-status=live }}</ref>


On December 19 of that year, the $20&nbsp;million goal was surpassed.<ref>{{Cite web |title=TeamTrees |url=https://www.facebook.com/teamtreesofficial/photos/a.127395948672470/153160966095968/?type=3 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201015121111/https://www.facebook.com/teamtreesofficial/photos/a.127395948672470/153160966095968/?type=3 |archive-date=October 15, 2020 |access-date=December 19, 2019 |website=Facebook |language=en}}</ref> The project has received large donations from corporate executives [[Jack Dorsey]], [[Susan Wojcicki]], [[Elon Musk]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=David |date=October 30, 2019 |title=YouTube star MrBeast wants to plant 20 million trees. Elon Musk, Jack Dorsey, and more are helping him do it. |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/10/30/us/youtube-mrbeast-trees-trnd/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191030234714/https://edition.cnn.com/2019/10/30/us/youtube-mrbeast-trees-trnd/ |archive-date=October 30, 2019 |access-date=October 31, 2019 |website=CNN}}</ref> and [[Tobias Lütke]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leskin |first=Paige |date=November 10, 2019 |title=A YouTuber launched a viral campaign to plant 20 million trees by 2020. Here's the list of prominent people who have donated, including Elon Musk, Jeffree Star, and other tech CEOs and YouTube personalities |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-pewdiepie-jeffree-star-donate-mrbeast-youtube-tree-planting-2019-10?r=US&IR=T |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201015121018/https://www.businessinsider.com.au/elon-musk-pewdiepie-jeffree-star-donate-mrbeast-youtube-tree-planting-2019-10?r=US&IR=T |archive-date=October 15, 2020 |access-date=November 19, 2019 |website=Business Insider}}</ref> and companies such as [[Discovery Channel|Discovery]], [[Verizon Communications|Verizon]], and [[PopCap]].<ref name="auto1" /> [[Tobias Lütke]], founder and CEO of [[Shopify]], holds the record for the highest donation at 1,000,001 trees planted.<ref name="auto4">{{Cite web |title=Team Trees leaderboard |url=https://teamtrees.org// |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230211125910/https://teamtrees.org/ |archive-date=February 11, 2023 |access-date=February 11, 2023 |website=teamseas}}</ref> As of June 5, 2024, the original goal of 20&nbsp;million trees has been far surpassed, with over 24.7 million trees in the ground.<ref name="auto4" />
=== Beast Philanthropy ===
On September 17, 2020, the YouTube channel Beast Philanthropy was created.<ref name="Philanthropy">{{Cite web |title=Beast Philanthropy – YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAiLfjNXkNv24uhpzUgPa6A/about |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423185906/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAiLfjNXkNv24uhpzUgPa6A/about |archive-date=April 23, 2021 |access-date=April 23, 2021 |via=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> On the channel's first video, Donaldson announced the charity and food bank and named Darren, who had appeared in previous videos, as executive director.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hale |first=James |date=March 26, 2021 |title=MrBeast Opens His Own Food Bank, Shares Details On 'Beast Philanthropy' |url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2021/03/26/mrbeast-philanthropy-food-pantry-youtube-donations/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423185905/https://www.tubefilter.com/2021/03/26/mrbeast-philanthropy-food-pantry-youtube-donations/ |archive-date=April 23, 2021 |access-date=April 23, 2021 |website=Tubefilter.com}}</ref> According to the channel description, 100% of its advertising revenue, brand deals, and merchandise sales are donated to charity.<ref name=Philanthropy/>


=== Team Seas ===
===#TeamSeas===
{{main|Team Seas}}
{{main|Team Seas}}
[[File:TeamSeasLogo.png|thumb|[[Team Seas]]]]
[[File:TeamSeasLogo.png|thumb|[[Team Seas]]]]
On October 29, 2021, Donaldson and Rober organized another collaborative challenge event on YouTube titled #TeamSeas. The goal of this project was to raise $30 million for the [[Ocean Conservancy]] and [[The Ocean Cleanup]] by January 1, 2022. The $30 million goal would fund the removal of 30 million pounds of plastic and other waste from oceans, rivers, and beaches. Donaldson and Rober enlisted thousands of content creators, including AzzyLand, [[DanTDM]], [[TommyInnit]], [[LinusTechTips]], TierZoo, LEMMiNO, [[The Infographics Show]], [[Hannah Stocking]], [[Dhar Mann]] and [[Marques Brownlee]], and partnered with BEN and TubeBuddy's initiative of 8 million global creators, to promote the fundraiser.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=October 29, 2021 |title=YouTubers MrBeast, Mark Rober Reteam for 'TeamSeas' Charity Fundraiser to Clean Up Trash From Marine Environments |url=https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/mrbeast-mark-rober-teamseas-1235100310/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029204012/https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/mrbeast-mark-rober-teamseas-1235100310/ |archive-date=October 29, 2021 |access-date=October 29, 2021 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Stanley |first=Grace |date=October 29, 2021 |title=#TeamSeas: YouTubers MrBeast and Mark Rober pledge to remove 30 million pounds of trash from the ocean |url=https://www.dailydot.com/unclick/creator-economy-mrbeast-mark-rober-teamseas/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029232239/https://www.dailydot.com/unclick/creator-economy-mrbeast-mark-rober-teamseas/ |archive-date=October 29, 2021 |access-date=October 30, 2021 |website=The Daily Dot |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hale |first=James |date=October 29, 2021 |title=MrBeast And Mark Rober's #TeamSeas Is Raising $30 Million For Ocean Cleanup |url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2021/10/29/mrbeast-mark-rober-teamseas-fundraiser/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031123058/https://www.tubefilter.com/2021/10/29/mrbeast-mark-rober-teamseas-fundraiser/ |archive-date=October 31, 2021 |access-date=October 31, 2021 |website=Tubefilter |language=en-US}}</ref>
On October 29, 2021, Donaldson and Rober organized another collaborative challenge event on YouTube titled #TeamSeas. The goal of this project was to raise $30{{Nbsp}}million for the [[Ocean Conservancy]] and [[The Ocean Cleanup]] by January 1, 2022. The $30&nbsp;million goal would fund the removal of 30&nbsp;million pounds of plastic and other waste from oceans, rivers, and beaches. Donaldson and Rober enlisted thousands of content creators, including AzzyLand, [[DanTDM]], [[TommyInnit]], [[LinusTechTips]], [[TierZoo]], LEMMiNO, The Infographics Show, [[Hannah Stocking]], [[Dhar Mann]], and [[Marques Brownlee]], and partnered with BEN and TubeBuddy's initiative of eight million global creators, to promote the fundraiser.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=October 29, 2021 |title=YouTubers MrBeast, Mark Rober Reteam for 'TeamSeas' Charity Fundraiser to Clean Up Trash From Marine Environments |url=https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/mrbeast-mark-rober-teamseas-1235100310/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029204012/https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/mrbeast-mark-rober-teamseas-1235100310/ |archive-date=October 29, 2021 |access-date=October 29, 2021 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Stanley |first=Grace |date=October 29, 2021 |title=#TeamSeas: YouTubers MrBeast and Mark Rober pledge to remove 30 million pounds of trash from the ocean |url=https://www.dailydot.com/unclick/creator-economy-mrbeast-mark-rober-teamseas/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029232239/https://www.dailydot.com/unclick/creator-economy-mrbeast-mark-rober-teamseas/ |archive-date=October 29, 2021 |access-date=October 30, 2021 |website=The Daily Dot |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hale |first=James |date=October 29, 2021 |title=MrBeast And Mark Rober's #TeamSeas Is Raising $30 Million For Ocean Cleanup |url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2021/10/29/mrbeast-mark-rober-teamseas-fundraiser/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031123058/https://www.tubefilter.com/2021/10/29/mrbeast-mark-rober-teamseas-fundraiser/ |archive-date=October 31, 2021 |access-date=October 31, 2021 |website=Tubefilter |language=en-US}}</ref>


As of June 5, 2024, the original $30{{Nbsp}}million goal has been surpassed by 12–13%, with more than $33.7{{Nbsp}}million raised.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Team Trees count |url=https://teamseas.org |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240605000353/https://teamseas.org// |archive-date=June 5, 2024 |access-date=June 5, 2024 |website=www.teamseas.org}}</ref>
=== Cataract surgery ===
In January 2023, Donaldson paid for [[Cataract surgery|cataract surgery]] for a thousand people who had severely limited vision and had been unable to afford the procedure.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sottile |first=Zoe |date=2023-01-29 |title=YouTube star MrBeast helps 1,000 blind people see again by sponsoring cataract surgeries |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/29/entertainment/mr-beast-cataract-surgeries-video-trnd/index.html |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref> Responses to his video on the subject ranged from praise to criticism that he was motivated solely by profit.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Benton |first1=Charlotte |title=MrBeast: Why has YouTuber faced criticism for blind surgery video? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-64490431 |access-date=2 February 2023 |work=BBC |date=1 February 2023}}</ref> Other comments criticized the [[Healthcare in the United States|American medical system]] for failing to provide the necessary healthcare to the patients in the video, questioning why patients had to rely on a YouTuber for the procedure.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2023/02/01/mrbeast-cures-blind-people-video-why-its-receiving-backlash/11161719002/ |title=A YouTuber cured 1,000 blind people for a video. But is it performative altruism? |last=Ryu |first=Jenna |date=1 February 2023 |website=[[USA Today]]|access-date=1 February 2023 }}</ref>


== Public image ==
===Beast Philanthropy===
[[File:Turkey Giveaway Event (51665254115).jpg|thumb|[[Greenville, North Carolina|Greenville]] received [[Thanksgiving dinner|Thanksgiving meals]] as part of an initiative by Beast Philanthropy and [[Jennie-O]].<ref name="APturkey">{{cite news |last=Kennedy |first=Mark |title=YouTube star MrBeast rethinks old notions of philanthropy |url=https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-technology-lifestyle-business-greenville-6a9751477b7376afd3962371ff11213e |access-date=July 26, 2023 |work=AP News |date=December 16, 2021 |language=en |archive-date=January 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220117182148/https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-technology-lifestyle-business-greenville-6a9751477b7376afd3962371ff11213e |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="WNCTturkey">{{cite news |last=Molle |first=Claire |title=YouTube star Mr. Beast holds event to give away 10,000 free turkeys in Greenville |url=https://www.wnct.com/local-news/greenville/youtube-star-holds-event-to-give-away-10-thousand-free-turkeys-in-greenville/ |access-date=July 26, 2023 |work=WNCT |date=November 7, 2021 |language=en |archive-date=July 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230726124320/https://www.wnct.com/local-news/greenville/youtube-star-holds-event-to-give-away-10-thousand-free-turkeys-in-greenville/ |url-status=live }}</ref>]]
On September 17, 2020, the YouTube channel Beast Philanthropy was created.<ref name="Philanthropy">{{Cite web |title=Beast Philanthropy – YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAiLfjNXkNv24uhpzUgPa6A/about |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423185906/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAiLfjNXkNv24uhpzUgPa6A/about |archive-date=April 23, 2021 |access-date=April 23, 2021 |via=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> In the channel's first video, Donaldson announced the charity and food bank and named Darren Margolias, who appeared previously as an executive director.<ref name=":15">{{Cite web |title=MrBeast 3 - YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZzvDDvaYti8Dd8bLEiSoyQ/about |access-date=November 11, 2022 |website=YouTube.com |archive-date=November 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221111173256/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZzvDDvaYti8Dd8bLEiSoyQ/about |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hale |first=James |date=March 26, 2021 |title=MrBeast Opens His Own Food Bank, Shares Details On 'Beast Philanthropy' |url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2021/03/26/mrbeast-philanthropy-food-pantry-youtube-donations/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423185905/https://www.tubefilter.com/2021/03/26/mrbeast-philanthropy-food-pantry-youtube-donations/ |archive-date=April 23, 2021 |access-date=April 23, 2021 |website=Tubefilter.com}}</ref> According to the channel description, 100% of its advertising revenue, brand deals, and merchandise sales are donated to charity.<ref name=":16" /><ref name="Philanthropy" />


Notable initiatives by Beast Philanthropy include giving away 10,000 turkeys to his hometown of Greenville,<ref name="APturkey" /><ref name="WNCTturkey" /> donating 20,000 shoes to children in Africa,<ref>{{cite news |last=Mtembu |first=Xolile |title="Kindness is part of Mr Beast's DNA and he's determined to use his wealth to help improve the world" |url=https://www.iol.co.za/business-report/careers/kindness-is-part-of-mr-beasts-dna-and-hes-determined-to-use-his-wealth-to-help-improve-the-world-5fe2e287-714a-47d5-88e7-ffe90169fac7 |access-date=July 26, 2023 |work=IOL |date=March 15, 2023 |archive-date=July 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230726124320/https://www.iol.co.za/business-report/careers/kindness-is-part-of-mr-beasts-dna-and-hes-determined-to-use-his-wealth-to-help-improve-the-world-5fe2e287-714a-47d5-88e7-ffe90169fac7 |url-status=live }}</ref> building 100 wells in Africa for villages with limited access to clean water,<ref name="auto5">{{Cite web |last=Busari |first=Issy Ronald, Stephanie |date=November 6, 2023 |title=MrBeast builds 100 wells in Africa, attracting praise – and some criticism |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/06/africa/mrbeast-100-wells-africa-intl-scli/index.html |access-date=November 22, 2023 |website=CNN |language=en |archive-date=November 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231122232429/https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/06/africa/mrbeast-100-wells-africa-intl-scli/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and gifting $300,000 worth of technology to various schools.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ward |first=Erin |title=YouTube star MrBeast donates tech to ECU students |url=https://news.ecu.edu/2021/06/08/youtube-star-mrbeast-donates-tech-to-ecu-students/ |website=ECU News Services |date=June 8, 2021 |access-date=July 26, 2023 |archive-date=July 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230726124323/https://news.ecu.edu/2021/06/08/youtube-star-mrbeast-donates-tech-to-ecu-students/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:MrBeast at the Kids Choice Awards 2022.png|thumb|MrBeast won the Favorite Male Creator award at the [[2022 Kids' Choice Awards]].]]


==Personal life==
Opinion polls have shown that Donaldson is one of the most well-liked YouTubers on the platform. A 2021 [[SurveyMonkey]] poll showed that 70% of respondents have a favorable view of him, compared to 12% who had an unfavorable view.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Asarch |first=Steven |date=February 16, 2021 |title=POWER RANKING: the 10 most well-liked influencers on the internet |url=https://www.insider.com/most-liked-influencers-insider-data-mrbeast-markiplier-corpse-2021-2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224084324/https://www.insider.com/most-liked-influencers-insider-data-mrbeast-markiplier-corpse-2021-2 |archive-date=February 24, 2022 |access-date=May 6, 2021 |website=Insider |language=en-US}}</ref>
Donaldson describes himself as an [[Extraversion and introversion|introvert]]. Donaldson admits to having difficulty maintaining a social life due to his obsession with YouTube and his intense work ethic. Donaldson's mother, Sue, attributes his withdrawn lifestyle to their frequent relocations and his struggles with [[Crohn's disease]].<ref name=":7" />


Donaldson dated Maddy Spidell, a YouTuber, from 2019 to 2022. He has been dating Thea Booysen, a gaming streamer, since 2022.<ref>{{cite web |last=Cheong |first=Charissa |title=Everything we know about MrBeast's rumored relationship with a Twitch streamer who says she met him 'by accident' |url=https://www.insider.com/mrbeast-thea-booysen-timeline-rumored-relationship-2022-12 |website=Insider |access-date=August 2, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Mussen |first=Maddy |title=MrBeast: the YouTuber on track to become a billionaire |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/insider/mrbeast-youtube-net-worth-bio-studio-friend-chris-tyson-girlfriend-b1074966.html |access-date=August 2, 2023 |work=Evening Standard |date=June 29, 2023 |language=en |archive-date=August 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230804195557/https://www.standard.co.uk/insider/mrbeast-youtube-net-worth-bio-studio-friend-chris-tyson-girlfriend-b1074966.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
During a [[Clubhouse (app)|Clubhouse]] room in February 2021, Donaldson booted entrepreneur Farokh Sarmad after he said he could not pronounce his name, a move that Sarmad later said was racist. Sarmad's claims were questioned and denied by other Clubhouse users who were present at the call who argued against Sarmad's claims, claiming that MrBeast removed him along with others to make room for women on the stage to be more inclusive.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 27, 2021 |title=YouTube accused of 'blatant racism' over social media spat with entrepreneur |url=https://www.indy100.com/news/mrbeast-youtuber-clubhouse-entrepreneur-racism-b1805556 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511205603/https://www.indy100.com/news/mrbeast-youtuber-clubhouse-entrepreneur-racism-b1805556 |archive-date=May 11, 2021 |access-date=May 11, 2021 |website=[[Indy100]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Tenbarge |first=Kat |title=MrBeast booted a user whose name he couldn't pronounce on Clubhouse, sparking a debate over racism and microaggressions |url=https://www.insider.com/mrbeast-clubhouse-racism-allegations-cancelled-racist-farokh-debate-drama-2021-2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224084325/https://www.insider.com/mrbeast-clubhouse-racism-allegations-cancelled-racist-farokh-debate-drama-2021-2 |archive-date=February 24, 2022 |access-date=May 11, 2021 |website=[[Insider (website)|Insider]]}}</ref>


In June 2023, after the [[OceanGate]] submersible ''[[Titan (submersible)|Titan]]'' [[Titan submersible implosion|imploded in the Atlantic Ocean]] while on a tourist expedition to view the [[Wreck of the Titanic|wreck of the ''Titanic'']], killing all five passengers, Donaldson stated that he had been invited on the expedition but declined the offer.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rosenbloom |first=Alli |date=June 25, 2023 |title=MrBeast says he declined to join submersible trip: 'Kind of scary that I could have been on it' |work=[[CNN]] |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/25/entertainment/mrbeast-titan-submersible/index.html |access-date=June 28, 2023 |archive-date=June 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628034941/https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/25/entertainment/mrbeast-titan-submersible/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Chilton |first=Louis |date=June 26, 2023 |title=MrBeast claims he turned down trip on Titanic submarine days before fatal disaster |work=[[The Independent]] |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/mrbeast-titanic-sub-youtube-b2364139.html |access-date=June 28, 2023 |archive-date=June 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628034942/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/mrbeast-titanic-sub-youtube-b2364139.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
In a May 2021 ''[[The New York Times|New York Times]]'' article, Matt Turner, an editor for Donaldson from February 2018 to September 2019, claimed that Donaldson berated him almost daily, including calling him a [[retard (pejorative)|retard]]. Turner also reported that he was regularly not credited for his work.<ref name="2021-nyt-youtube" /> Reporting by ''[[Insider (website)|Insider]]'' showed that Turner previously posted a video in 2018 explaining his allegations, and in October 2019 released a deleted Twitter thread which stated that he was "yelled at, bullied, called mentally retarded and replaceable by MrBeast every single day."<ref name="FormerEmployeesInsider" />


===Political views===
Nate Anderson quit after working for Donaldson for a week in 2018 over what he said were unreasonable demands and called Donaldson a perfectionist. After releasing a video describing his experience, Anderson reportedly received death threats from MrBeast's fans. Nine other employees who worked for Donaldson also stated that while Donaldson was sometimes generous, his demeanour would change when cameras were off. They described a difficult work environment while working under him.<ref name="2021-nyt-youtube" /><ref name="FormerEmployeesInsider">{{Cite web |last=Asarch |first=Steven |title=Former employees of YouTuber MrBeast alleged the star created a toxic work environment where he berated and belittled staff, report says |url=https://www.insider.com/mrbeast-former-employees-allege-youtuber-berated-staff-used-slur-2021-5 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224084331/https://www.insider.com/mrbeast-former-employees-allege-youtuber-berated-staff-used-slur-2021-5 |archive-date=February 24, 2022 |access-date=May 5, 2021 |website=[[Insider (website)|Insider]]}}</ref>
Donaldson considers himself [[Apoliticism|apolitical]] because he wants to avoid alienating his audience, which would interfere with his goal of charity.<ref name=":7" /> On a podcast in September 2022, Donaldson commented that he would consider a run for president of the United States "in like 20 years", adding that the U.S. is "due for younger presidents".<ref name="auto6">{{cite web |last=Shapero |first=Julia |date=October 6, 2022 |title=YouTube giant MrBeast considering a White House run in 20 years |url=https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/3676237-youtube-giant-mrbeast-considering-a-white-house-run-in-20-years/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230401060629/https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/3676237-youtube-giant-mrbeast-considering-a-white-house-run-in-20-years/ |archive-date=April 1, 2023 |access-date=April 18, 2023 |website=The Hill}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cheong |first=Charissa |title=YouTube star MrBeast said he will 'probably' run for President in his mid-40s and plans to win the election by giving away all of his money |url=https://www.insider.com/mrbeast-president-mid-40s-2022-9 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808165658/https://www.businessinsider.com/mrbeast-president-mid-40s-2022-9 |archive-date=August 8, 2024 |access-date=June 13, 2023 |website=Insider |language=en-US}}</ref> On July 6, 2024, during the [[2024 United States presidential election|2024 presidential election]], Donaldson wrote on Twitter, "If we lower the age to run for president I'll jump in the race".<ref>{{cite news |last=Dunn |first=Billie Schwab |date=July 9, 2024 |title=MrBeast's election remark takes internet by storm |url=https://www.newsweek.com/mrbeast-election-remark-viral-online-1922663 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240709113030/https://www.newsweek.com/mrbeast-election-remark-viral-online-1922663 |archive-date=July 9, 2024 |access-date=July 9, 2024 |work=Newsweek |language=en}}</ref> Donaldson clarified on another Twitter post reiterating his apolitical position.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goodwin |first=Grace Eliza |date=July 11, 2024 |title=MrBeast is prepping us for his presidential run in 2036 |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/mrbeast-run-for-president-soon-as-old-enough-2024-7 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240725175938/https://www.businessinsider.com/mrbeast-run-for-president-soon-as-old-enough-2024-7 |archive-date=July 25, 2024 |access-date=July 26, 2024 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="auto6" />


====LGBT issues====
== Awards and nominations ==
In an April 2022 interview with ''[[Rolling Stone]]'', Donaldson announced that he was no longer an [[evangelical Christian]] and identified as an [[Agnostic theism|agnostic theist]]. He also stated that he had long agreed with [[Christianity and homosexuality|Christian opposition to homosexuality]]. He states that during the time he grew up in the [[Bible Belt]], he had religion "beat into [his] head every day" and was taught that "gay people are the reason God's going to come and burn this Earth". He has since disavowed [[anti-LGBT rhetoric]].<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":72">{{Cite web |last=Darling |first=Daniel |date=April 19, 2023 |title=Reality intrudes on MrBeast |url=https://wng.org/opinions/reality-intrudes-on-mrbeast-1681905138 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230422002250/https://wng.org/opinions/reality-intrudes-on-mrbeast-1681905138 |archive-date=April 22, 2023 |access-date=April 22, 2023 |website=WORLD |language=en}}</ref>

In October 2018, ''[[The Atlantic]]'' published an article on Donaldson's history of using [[homophobic]] slurs.<ref name=":3" /><ref name="Atlantic">{{Cite news |last=Lorenz |first=Taylor |author-link=Taylor Lorenz |date=May 24, 2018 |title='YouTube's Biggest Philanthropist' Has a History of Homophobic Comments |work=[[The Atlantic]] |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2018/05/youtubes-biggest-philanthropist-has-a-history-of-homophobic-comments/561248/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715091820/https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2018/05/youtubes-biggest-philanthropist-has-a-history-of-homophobic-comments/561248/ |archive-date=July 15, 2019}}</ref><ref name="auto3" /> The article stated that Donaldson, while still a teenager, had had a habit of referring to people as "[[faggot|fags]]" on Twitter and regularly treated being homosexual as a punchline in-jokes and "gay" as an insult.<ref name="Atlantic" /> Donaldson later removed the tweets, and in 2021, a spokesperson for Donaldson said that he had "grown up and matured into someone that doesn't speak like that".<ref name="2021-nyt-youtube" />

After Ava Kris (then Chris) Tyson, Donaldson's childhood friend and employee, acknowledged in April 2023 that she was receiving [[feminizing hormone replacement therapy]], Donaldson defended her against backlash she had received: "Yeah, this is getting absurd. Chris <!-- Directly paraphrasing the quote is preferable, and the efn should clear up any deadnaming/misgendering concerns. Do not change the quote to no longer be the original statement without discussion --> isn't my 'nightmare' he's{{efn|At the time of this quote, Tyson was still using the forename Chris and did not have a pronoun preference.<ref name="williamson-tyson">{{cite news |last=Williamson |first=Harriet |title=YouTuber Chris Tyson breaks silence over MrBeast removal rumours |url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/05/07/mrbeast-chris-tyson-youtube-rumours/ |access-date=2 March 2024 |work=PinkNews |date=7 May 2023 |archive-date=March 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302090258/https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/05/07/mrbeast-chris-tyson-youtube-rumours/ |url-status=live }}</ref>}} my {{Sic|fucken}} friend and things are fine. All this transphobia is starting to piss me off".<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/mrbeast-transphobic-critics-chris-tyson-1234714626/amp/ | title=MrBeast Calls Out Transphobic Backlash to Chris Tyson's Hormone Therapy | magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] | date=April 13, 2023 | access-date=February 4, 2024 | archive-date=February 4, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204002346/https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/mrbeast-transphobic-critics-chris-tyson-1234714626/amp/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="williamson-tyson"/> Tyson subsequently came out as a [[trans woman]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 31, 2023 |title=MrBeast's Kris Tyson says she's 'so much happier' after six months of hormone replacement therapy |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/31/entertainment/kris-tyson-mrbeast-hormone-replacement-therapy-cec/index.html |website=[[CNN]] |access-date=November 1, 2023 |archive-date=November 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101012414/https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/31/entertainment/kris-tyson-mrbeast-hormone-replacement-therapy-cec/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=July 24, 2023 |title=MrBeast's Kris Tyson Comes Out as Transgender: 'I Am a Woman! She/Her' |url=https://people.com/mrbeast-kris-tyson-comes-out-as-transgender-7564588 |website=People |access-date=November 1, 2023 |archive-date=November 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231103193805/https://people.com/mrbeast-kris-tyson-comes-out-as-transgender-7564588 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Public image and influence==
[[File:VidCon_2022_Anaheim_California_YouTube_Shorts_TikTok_Mr._Beast.jpg|thumb|MrBeast's large model gumball machine at [[VidCon]] 2022]]

As of July 2024, MrBeast is the [[List of most-subscribed YouTube channels|most subscribed channel on YouTube]], surpassing [[T-Series (company)|T-Series]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 2, 2024 |title=MrBeast Is Now The Most Subscribed YouTuber: 'Avenged Pewdiepie' |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/world/us/us-buzz/mrbeast-is-now-the-most-subscribed-youtuber-surpasses-t-series-article-110631244 |access-date=June 2, 2024 |website=Times Now |language=en |archive-date=June 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240602003236/https://www.timesnownews.com/world/us/us-buzz/mrbeast-is-now-the-most-subscribed-youtuber-surpasses-t-series-article-110631244 |url-status=live }}</ref> A February 2021 poll from [[Insider Inc.|Insider]] showed that 70% of respondents had a favorable view of him, compared to 12% who had an unfavorable view.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Asarch |first=Steven |date=February 16, 2021 |title=POWER RANKING: the 10 most well-liked influencers on the internet |url=https://www.insider.com/most-liked-influencers-insider-data-mrbeast-markiplier-corpse-2021-2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224084324/https://www.insider.com/most-liked-influencers-insider-data-mrbeast-markiplier-corpse-2021-2 |archive-date=February 24, 2022 |access-date=May 6, 2021 |website=Insider |language=en-US}}</ref> His channel appeals strongly to younger viewers.<ref name=":7" /><ref name="TIME">{{cite magazine |last=Espada |first=Mariah |title=Why MrBeast's New Video Became The Second Most Watched in 24 Hours in YouTube History |url=https://time.com/6287028/mrbeast-youtube-views-record/ |access-date=November 25, 2023 |magazine=Time |date=June 13, 2023 |language=en |archive-date=January 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124031839/https://time.com/6287028/mrbeast-youtube-views-record/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Yahoo">{{cite news |last=Frost |first=Alexandra |title=Kids obsessed with MrBeast? Here's what parents should know about the hugely popular YouTuber. |url=https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/kids-obsessed-mrbeast-heres-parents-150025606.html |access-date=November 25, 2023 |work=Yahoo Life |date=May 24, 2023 |archive-date=December 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231209033825/https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/kids-obsessed-mrbeast-heres-parents-150025606.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Donaldson also builds a [[parasocial relationship]] with his viewers by "looking directly at the camera and talking to the audience"<ref name="Yahoo" /> and displaying himself as "an exciting, relatable, authentic, down-to-earth person".<ref name="Yahoo" /><ref name="CNN">{{cite news |last=Karimi |first=Faith |title=Behind the staggering success of MrBeast |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/15/entertainment/mrbeast-youtube-jimmy-donaldson-cec/index.html |access-date=November 25, 2023 |work=CNN |date=July 15, 2023 |language=en |archive-date=December 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204044331/https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/15/entertainment/mrbeast-youtube-jimmy-donaldson-cec/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

However, some critics have questioned Donaldson's motives and ethics. Users on social media accused Donaldson of exploiting poverty for views, deeming his content "[[Poverty porn|charity porn]]".<ref>{{cite news |last=Benton |first=Charlotte |title=MrBeast: Why has YouTuber faced criticism for blind surgery video? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-64490431 |access-date=February 2, 2023 |publisher=BBC |date=February 1, 2023 |archive-date=February 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202132542/https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-64490431 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Ryu |first=Jenna |title=A YouTuber cured 1,000 blind people for a video. But is it performative altruism? |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2023/02/01/mrbeast-cures-blind-people-video-why-its-receiving-backlash/11161719002/ |work=USA TODAY |access-date=February 1, 2023 |archive-date=February 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201232745/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2023/02/01/mrbeast-cures-blind-people-video-why-its-receiving-backlash/11161719002/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="auto5" /> His philanthropy has been criticized for not addressing the root causes of systemic inequality.<ref>{{cite news |last=Thompson |first=Oliver |title=MrBeast's charitable efforts have helped thousands. But is his approach to philanthropy problematic? |url=https://www.cbc.ca/radio/tapestry/mr-beast-charity-controversy-1.6846810 |access-date=November 25, 2023 |work=CBC |date=May 28, 2023 |archive-date=August 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805185921/https://www.cbc.ca/radio/tapestry/mr-beast-charity-controversy-1.6846810 |url-status=live }}</ref> In response, Donaldson claimed that he does not profit from Beast Philanthropy or its videos and that all revenue goes towards charity. He also stressed the importance of the government's role in solving systemic issues.<ref>{{cite news |last=Mohammed |first=Leyla |title=MrBeast Hit Back At Criticism Of His Video Paying For Blind People's Surgeries After Being Called Exploitative |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/leylamohammed/youtuber-mrbeast-responds-criticism-curing-blindness-video |access-date=November 25, 2023 |work=BuzzFeed News |date=January 31, 2023 |language=en |archive-date=August 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230818195635/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/leylamohammed/youtuber-mrbeast-responds-criticism-curing-blindness-video |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Weiss |first=Geoff |title=MrBeast is pushing back against criticism for his latest charity stunt, as viewers are outraged that he keeps getting bashed for doing good deeds |url=https://www.insider.com/twitter-decries-mrbeast-backlash-amid-latest-shoes-charity-video-2023-3 |access-date=November 25, 2023 |work=Insider |date=March 10, 2023 |archive-date=August 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808165601/https://www.businessinsider.com/twitter-decries-mrbeast-backlash-amid-latest-shoes-charity-video-2023-3 |url-status=live }}</ref>

According to Charissa Cheong of Insider, Donaldson becoming the most-subscribed YouTuber marks a shift in YouTube content away from traditional vlogging towards high-production, elaborate videos that create a more "television-like experience". She wrote, "the future of YouTube content will likely look more 'experimental' now that Donaldson's high-stakes challenges are performing so well. Creators are going to keep trying to 'push the boundaries of what is possible' by trying new and 'extreme' formats and genres".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cheong |first=Charissa |title=MrBeast just became the biggest YouTuber in the world. His ascension marks the death of old YouTube and the rise of 'over-the-top' content. |url=https://www.insider.com/mrbeast-pewdiepie-death-old-youtube-experts-2022-11 |access-date=November 25, 2023 |website=Insider |language=en-US |archive-date=August 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808165700/https://www.businessinsider.com/mrbeast-pewdiepie-death-old-youtube-experts-2022-11 |url-status=live }}</ref> Fellow YouTuber and former [[NASA]] engineer [[Mark Rober]] wrote that Donaldson is "constantly raising the bar for creators whether it's through [[$456,000 Squid Game in Real Life!|re-creating ''Squid Game'' in real life]] or paying for the eye surgeries of 1,000 blind people".<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=April 13, 2023 |title=MrBeast: The 100 Most Influential People of 2023 |url=https://time.com/collection/100-most-influential-people-2023/6270005/mrbeast-jimmy-donaldson/ |access-date=November 25, 2023 |magazine=Time |language=en |archive-date=April 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413144911/https://time.com/collection/100-most-influential-people-2023/6270005/mrbeast-jimmy-donaldson/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Donaldson has inspired many young YouTubers.<ref name="CNN" /><ref name="2021-nyt-youtube" /> His "extreme challenge videos" have influenced other YouTubers like [[Fidias Panayiotou|Fidias]] and [[Airrack]], who similarly try to attempt difficult challenges in their videos.<ref>{{cite news |last=Youshaei |first=Jon |title=The MrBeast Blueprint: How YouTube Stars Like Matthew Beem Went Broke For Their Big Break |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonyoushaei/2023/09/24/the-mrbeast-blueprint-how-youtube-stars-like-matthew-beem-went-broke-for-their-big-break/?sh=64dc9ae6594e |access-date=November 25, 2023 |work=Forbes |date=September 24, 2023 |language=en |archive-date=November 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231125104112/https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonyoushaei/2023/09/24/the-mrbeast-blueprint-how-youtube-stars-like-matthew-beem-went-broke-for-their-big-break/?sh=64dc9ae6594e |url-status=live }}</ref> This trend has been called the "MrBeast-ification of YouTube".<ref name="BI3">{{cite news |last=Biino |first=Marta |date=November 28, 2023 |title=What's it like to work for MrBeast, the biggest YouTuber in the world, according to 5 former staffers |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/whats-it-like-to-work-for-mrbeast-biggest-youtuber-world-2023-11 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231125070242/https://www.businessinsider.com/whats-it-like-to-work-for-mrbeast-biggest-youtuber-world-2023-11 |archive-date=November 25, 2023 |access-date=November 25, 2023 |work=Business Insider}}</ref>

==Filmography==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="margin-right: 0;"
|+{{sronly|Film}}
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Title
! scope="col" | Role
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Tooltip|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
! rowspan="2" scope="row" | 2023
|''[[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem]]''
|Times Square Bystander
| rowspan="2" |Voice
|<ref>{{Cite AV media |title=Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (end credits) |date=August 2, 2023 |last= |first= |type=Motion picture |people=[[Jeff Rowe (filmmaker)|Rowe, Jeff]] (director)}}</ref>
|-
|''[[Under the Boardwalk (2023 film)|Under the Boardwalk]]''
|Hot Sauce Crab
|
|-
! rowspan="2" scope="row" | 2024
| scope="row" |''The Sidemen Story''
|Himself
|[[Documentary film|Documentary]]
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref name="Sidemen Doc">{{cite web |last1=Shah |first1=Furvah |title=Sidemen's Netflix documentary: Release date, trailer, cast and more |url=https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/entertainment/a46623709/sidemen-netflix-documentary-release-date-trailer-cast/ |website=Cosmopolitan |date=February 2, 2024 |access-date=February 6, 2024 |archive-date=February 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206153343/https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/entertainment/a46623709/sidemen-netflix-documentary-release-date-trailer-cast/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|''[[Kung Fu Panda 4]]''
|Panda Pig
|Voice
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mishra |first=Shrishty |date=March 10, 2024 |title='Kung Fu Panda 4' Global Box Office Earns $80 Million |url=https://collider.com/kung-fu-panda-4-global-box-office-80-million/ |access-date=August 9, 2024 |website=Collider |language=en}}</ref>
|}

==Awards and nominations==
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|+
|+
Line 188: Line 297:
| rowspan="3" |[[9th Streamy Awards]]
| rowspan="3" |[[9th Streamy Awards]]
|Breakout Creator
|Breakout Creator
|{{Won}}
|{{won}}
| rowspan="3" |<ref>{{Cite web |title=MrBeast Wins the Award for Breakout Creator – Streamy Awards 2019 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpAjK2h_dzA |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/bpAjK2h_dzA |archive-date=October 30, 2021 |website=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
|rowspan="3" align="center"|<ref>{{Cite web |title=MrBeast Wins the Award for Breakout Creator – Streamy Awards 2019 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpAjK2h_dzA |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/bpAjK2h_dzA |archive-date=October 30, 2021 |website=[[YouTube]]| date=December 13, 2019 }}{{cbignore}}</ref>
|-
|-
|Ensemble Cast
|Ensemble Cast
|{{Nom}}
|{{nom}}
|-
|-
|Creator of the Year
|Creator of the Year
|{{Nom}}
|{{nom}}
|-
|-
| rowspan="5" |2020
| rowspan="5" |2020
|[[12th Annual Shorty Awards]]
|[[12th Annual Shorty Awards]]
|YouTuber of the Year
|YouTuber of the Year
|{{Won}}
| rowspan="5" {{won}}
| align="center"|<ref>{{cite web |title=None - The Shorty Awards |url=https://shortyawards.com/12th/winners |website=shortyawards.com |access-date=August 3, 2024 |archive-date=March 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302111308/https://shortyawards.com/12th/winners |url-status=live }}</ref>
|
|-
|-
| rowspan="4" |[[10th Streamy Awards]]
| rowspan="4" |[[10th Streamy Awards]]
|Creator of the Year
|Creator of the Year
|rowspan="4" align="center"|<ref>{{Cite web |year=2020 |title=10th Annual Streamy Nominees |url=https://www.streamys.org/nominees-winners/10th-annual-nominees/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021180006/https://www.streamys.org/nominees-winners/10th-annual-nominees/ |archive-date=October 21, 2020 |access-date=October 21, 2020 |website=The Streamy Awards |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jarvey |first=Natalie |date=December 12, 2020 |title=MrBeast Takes Top Honor at 2020 Streamy Awards |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/mrbeast-takes-top-honor-at-2020-streamy-awards |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201213042143/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/mrbeast-takes-top-honor-at-2020-streamy-awards |archive-date=December 13, 2020 |access-date=December 19, 2020 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref>
|{{Won}}
| rowspan="4" |<ref>{{Cite web |year=2020 |title=10th Annual Streamy Nominees |url=https://www.streamys.org/nominees-winners/10th-annual-nominees/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021180006/https://www.streamys.org/nominees-winners/10th-annual-nominees/ |archive-date=October 21, 2020 |access-date=October 21, 2020 |website=The Streamy Awards |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jarvey |first=Natalie |date=December 12, 2020 |title=MrBeast Takes Top Honor at 2020 Streamy Awards |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/mrbeast-takes-top-honor-at-2020-streamy-awards |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201213042143/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/mrbeast-takes-top-honor-at-2020-streamy-awards |archive-date=December 13, 2020 |access-date=December 19, 2020 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref>
|-
|-
|Live Special
|Live Special
|{{won}}
|-
|-
|Social Good: Creator
|Social Good: Creator
|{{won}}
|-
|-
|Social Good: Nonprofit or NGO
|Social Good: Nonprofit or NGO
|{{won}}
|-
|-
| rowspan="2" |2021
| rowspan="2" |2021
Line 221: Line 326:
|Favorite Male Social Star
|Favorite Male Social Star
|{{nom}}
|{{nom}}
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Calvario |first=Liz |date=March 13, 2021 |title=2021 Kids' Choice Awards: The Complete Winners List |url=https://www.etonline.com/2021-kids-choice-awards-the-complete-winners-list-161949 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210314025743/https://www.etonline.com/2021-kids-choice-awards-the-complete-winners-list-161949 |archive-date=March 14, 2021 |access-date=March 15, 2021 |website=[[Entertainment Tonight]]}}</ref>
|align="center"|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Calvario |first=Liz |date=March 13, 2021 |title=2021 Kids' Choice Awards: The Complete Winners List |url=https://www.etonline.com/2021-kids-choice-awards-the-complete-winners-list-161949 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210314025743/https://www.etonline.com/2021-kids-choice-awards-the-complete-winners-list-161949 |archive-date=March 14, 2021 |access-date=March 15, 2021 |website=[[Entertainment Tonight]]}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[11th Streamy Awards]]
|[[11th Streamy Awards]]
|Creator of the Year
|Creator of the Year
|{{won}}
|{{won}}
|<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1469871359538782208 |user=streamys |title=a HUGE congratulations to MrBeast for winning the #streamys for CREATOR OF THE YEAR 🎉🎉🎉 |author=[[Streamy Awards]]}}</ref>
|align="center"|<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1469871359538782208 |user=streamys |title=a HUGE congratulations to MrBeast for winning the #streamys for CREATOR OF THE YEAR 🎉🎉🎉 |author=[[Streamy Awards]]}}</ref>
|-
|-
| rowspan="8" |2022
| rowspan="8" |2022
Line 232: Line 337:
|Favorite Male Creator
|Favorite Male Creator
|{{won}}
|{{won}}
|<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Grenin |first=Paul |date=April 9, 2022 |title=Olivia Rodrigo, Billie Eilish, BTS & More Big Winners from 2022 Kids' Choice Awards (Full List) |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2022-kids-choice-awards-full-winners-list-olivia-rodrigo-bts-1235057448/ |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=April 11, 2022}}</ref>
|align="center"|<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Grenin |first=Paul |date=April 9, 2022 |title=Olivia Rodrigo, Billie Eilish, BTS & More Big Winners from 2022 Kids' Choice Awards (Full List) |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2022-kids-choice-awards-full-winners-list-olivia-rodrigo-bts-1235057448/ |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=April 11, 2022 |archive-date=April 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220410013048/https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2022-kids-choice-awards-full-winners-list-olivia-rodrigo-bts-1235057448/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|-
| rowspan="7" |[[12th Streamy Awards]]
| rowspan="7" |[[12th Streamy Awards]]
|Creator of the Year
|Creator of the Year
|{{won}}
|{{won}}
| rowspan="7" |<ref>{{Cite web |title=12TH ANNUAL WINNERS |url=https://www.streamys.org/nominees-winners/12th-annual-nominees |access-date=December 5, 2022 |publisher=[[Streamy Awards]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Chan |first=J. Clara |date=December 5, 2022 |title=YouTube Streamy Awards: MrBeast Takes Top Creator; Full List of Winners |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/2022-youtube-streamy-awards-winners-1235274871/ |access-date=December 8, 2022 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref>
|rowspan="7" align="center"|<ref>{{Cite web |title=12TH ANNUAL WINNERS |url=https://www.streamys.org/nominees-winners/12th-annual-nominees |access-date=December 5, 2022 |publisher=[[Streamy Awards]] |archive-date=December 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221212154041/https://www.streamys.org/nominees-winners/12th-annual-nominees/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Chan |first=J. Clara |date=December 5, 2022 |title=YouTube Streamy Awards: MrBeast Takes Top Creator; Full List of Winners |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/2022-youtube-streamy-awards-winners-1235274871/ |access-date=December 8, 2022 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US |archive-date=December 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206005336/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/2022-youtube-streamy-awards-winners-1235274871/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|-
|Collaboration
|Collaboration
|{{Nominated}}
|{{nom}}
|-
|-
|Social Good: Creator{{efn-ua|name=TeamSeas|As [[Team Seas]]}}
|Social Good: Creator{{efn|name=TeamSeas|As [[Team Seas]]}}
|{{won}}
|{{won}}
|-
|-
|Creator Product
|Creator Product
|{{Nominated}}
|{{nom}}
|-
|-
|Editing
|Editing
|{{Nominated}}
|{{nom}}
|-
|-
|Brand Engagement{{efn-ua|name=TeamSeas}}
|Brand Engagement{{efn|name=TeamSeas}}
|{{won}}
|{{won}}
|-
|-
|Social Impact Campaign{{efn-ua|name=TeamSeas}}
|Social Impact Campaign{{efn|name=TeamSeas}}
|{{Nominated}}
|{{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="5" |2023
|[[2023 Kids' Choice Awards]]
|Favorite Male Creator
|{{won}}
|align="center"|<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Atkinson |first=Katie |date=March 4, 2023 |title=Here Are the Winners of the 2023 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards: Complete List |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2023-kids-choice-awards-winners-list-1235279886/ |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=March 5, 2023 |archive-date=March 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230305020703/https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2023-kids-choice-awards-winners-list-1235279886/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="4" |[[13th Streamy Awards]]
|Creator of the Year
|{{won}}
|rowspan="4" align="center"|<ref>{{Cite web |title=13th Annual Streamy Winners |url=https://www.streamys.org/nominees-winners/13th-annual-nominees/ |access-date=August 28, 2023 |website=The Streamy Awards |language=en |archive-date=September 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230901233930/https://www.streamys.org/nominees-winners/13th-annual-nominees/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|Collaboration
|{{won}}
|-
|Creator Product
|{{nom}}
|-
|Brand Engagement
|{{nom}}
|-
|2024
|[[2024 Kids' Choice Awards]]
|Favorite Male Creator
|{{won}}
|align="center"|<ref>{{cite web|last=Petski|first=Denise|title=Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, Beyoncé, Timothée Chalamet, Ayo Edebiri Among 2024 Kids' Choice Awards Nominees – Full List|url=https://deadline.com/2024/06/nickelodeon-kids-choice-awards-nominations-2024-full-list-taylor-swift-1235957982/|date=June 4, 2024|access-date=June 4, 2024|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|archive-date=June 4, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240604143906/https://deadline.com/2024/06/nickelodeon-kids-choice-awards-nominations-2024-full-list-taylor-swift-1235957982/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|}
|}

===Publications===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col" | Publication
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Category
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}}
|-
|[[Forbes 30 Under 30]]
|2021
|Social Media
|align="center"| <ref>{{Cite web |title=Forbes 30 Under 30 2021: Social Media |url=https://www.forbes.com/30-under-30/2021/social-media/ |access-date=March 18, 2024 |website=Forbes |language=en |archive-date=December 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201220182543/https://www.forbes.com/30-under-30/2021/social-media/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
! rowspan="6" scope="row" | ''[[Guinness World Records]]''
| rowspan="2"| 2022
| style="text-align:left;" | Largest vegetarian burger
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/97601-largest-vegetarian-burger|title=Largest vegetarian burger|work=[[Guinness World Records]]|access-date=July 11, 2023|date=September 29, 2022|archive-date=July 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230711093304/https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/97601-largest-vegetarian-burger|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Most subscribers for an individual male on YouTube
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/649198-most-subscribers-for-an-individual-male-on-youtube|title=Most subscribers for an individual male on YouTube|work=[[Guinness World Records]]|access-date=July 11, 2023|date=November 17, 2022|archive-date=July 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230711093302/https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/649198-most-subscribers-for-an-individual-male-on-youtube|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="3"| 2023
| style="text-align:left;" | First person to reach 1 million followers on [[Threads (app)|Threads]]
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/754864-first-person-to-reach-1-million-followers-on-threads|title=First person to reach 1 million followers on Threads|work=[[Guinness World Records]]|access-date=July 11, 2023|date=July 6, 2023|archive-date=July 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230711091759/https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/754864-first-person-to-reach-1-million-followers-on-threads|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Highest-earning YouTube contributor (current)
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/383910-highest-earning-youtube-contributor|title=Highest-earning YouTube contributor (current)|work=[[Guinness World Records]]|access-date=July 11, 2023|date=December 31, 2021|archive-date=July 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230711091800/https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/383910-highest-earning-youtube-contributor|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Most YouTube subscribers gained in one week
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/655855-most-youtube-subscribers-gained-in-one-week|title=Most YouTube subscribers gained in one week|work=[[Guinness World Records]]|access-date=July 26, 2024|date=October 5, 2023|archive-date=July 26, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240726074535/https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/655855-most-youtube-subscribers-gained-in-one-week|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| 2024
| style="text-align:left;" | Most subscribers on YouTube
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/most-subscribers-on-youtube|title=Most subscribers on YouTube|work=[[Guinness World Records]]|access-date=July 26, 2024|date=June 3, 2024|archive-date=July 27, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240727053904/https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/most-subscribers-on-youtube|url-status=live}}</ref>
|}

==See also==
*[[List of YouTubers]]
*[[List of most-subscribed YouTube channels]]
*[[List of most-followed TikTok accounts]]
*[[Night Media]]


==Notes==
==Notes==
{{Notelist}}
{{Reflist|group=Note}}
{{notefoot}}
{{notelist-ua}}


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
* {{commons category-inline}}
{{Commons category}}
* {{IMDb name}}
* {{Twitter}}
* {{Twitter}}
* {{IMDb name}}


{{MrBeast}}
{{Influencers}}
{{Streamy Awards Winners CSS}}
{{Streamy Awards Audience Choice Winners}}
{{Streamy Awards Audience Choice Winners}}
{{Portal bar|Biography|Business|Internet|Money|United States}}
{{Portal bar|Biography|Business|Internet|Money|North Carolina|United States}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:MrBeast| ]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1998 births]]
[[Category:1998 births]]
[[Category:20th-century American people]]
[[Category:21st-century American businesspeople]]
[[Category:21st-century philanthropists]]
[[Category:21st-century American philanthropists]]
[[Category:American YouTubers]]
[[Category:American agnostics]]
[[Category:American people with disabilities]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Kansas]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Kansas]]
[[Category:Charity fundraisers (people)]]
[[Category:Charity fundraisers (people)]]
[[Category:English-language YouTube channels]]
[[Category:English-language YouTube channels]]
[[Category:Gaming YouTubers]]
[[Category:Entertainers with disabilities]]
[[Category:Former evangelicals]]
[[Category:American gaming YouTubers]]
[[Category:Gaming-related YouTube channels]]
[[Category:Gaming-related YouTube channels]]
[[Category:Internet memes introduced in 2017]]
[[Category:Internet memes introduced in 2017]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Maker Studios people]]
[[Category:Maker Studios people]]
[[Category:Minecraft YouTubers]]
[[Category:Number-one YouTube channels in subscribers]]
[[Category:People from Greenville, North Carolina]]
[[Category:People from Greenville, North Carolina]]
[[Category:People from Wichita, Kansas]]
[[Category:People with Crohn's disease]]
[[Category:Philanthropists from North Carolina]]
[[Category:Philanthropists from North Carolina]]
[[Category:Shorty Award winners]]
[[Category:Shorty Award winners]]
[[Category:Sidemen Charity Match players]]
[[Category:Streamy Award winners]]
[[Category:Streamy Award winners]]
[[Category:World record holders]]
[[Category:YouTube channels launched in 2012]]
[[Category:YouTube channels launched in 2012]]
[[Category:People from Wichita, Kansas]]
[[Category:YouTubers from Kansas]]
[[Category:YouTubers from North Carolina]]
[[Category:YouTubers with disabilities]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from North Carolina]]
[[Category:American YouTubers]]

Latest revision as of 16:19, 20 December 2024

MrBeast
MrBeast in 2023
Personal information
Born
James Stephen Donaldson

(1998-05-07) May 7, 1998 (age 26)
OriginGreenville, North Carolina, U.S.[1]
Other names
  • Jimmy Donaldson
  • MrBeast6000
EducationGreenville Christian Academy
Occupations
Signature
Websitemrbeast.store
YouTube information
Channel
Years active2012–present
Genres
Subscribers
  • 337 million (main channel)
  • 47.5 million (MrBeast 2)
  • 26.9 million (Beast Philanthropy)
  • 46 million (MrBeast Gaming)
  • 35.1 million (Beast Reacts)
[2]
Total views
  • 67.2 billion (main channel)
  • 7.093 billion (MrBeast 2)
  • 1.013 billion (Beast Philanthropy)
  • 8.397 billion (MrBeast Gaming)
  • 6.451 billion (Beast Reacts)
[2]
Associated acts
100,000 subscribers2016[3]
1,000,000 subscribers2017[4]
10,000,000 subscribers2018[4]
50,000,000 subscribers2021
100,000,000 subscribers2022

Last updated: December 20, 2024

James Stephen "Jimmy" Donaldson[a] (born May 7, 1998), better known by his online alias MrBeast, is an American YouTuber, internet personality, and businessman. He is known for his fast-paced and high-production videos featuring elaborate challenges and lucrative giveaways.[11] With over 330 million subscribers, he has the most subscribers of any YouTube channel,[12][13] and is the third-most-followed creator on TikTok with over 104 million followers. He also has over 60 million followers on Instagram and 30.9 million on X (formerly Twitter).

Donaldson grew up in Greenville, North Carolina. He began posting videos to YouTube in early 2012[14] under the handle MrBeast6000. His early content ranged from Let's Plays to "videos estimating the wealth of other YouTubers".[15] He went viral in 2017 after his "counting to 100,000" video earned tens of thousands of views in just a few days. His videos have become increasingly grand and extravagant.[16] Once his channel took off, Donaldson hired some of his childhood friends to co-run the brand. Donaldson also runs the YouTube channels Beast Reacts (formerly BeastHacks), MrBeast Gaming, MrBeast 2 (formerly MrBeast Shorts),[17] and the philanthropy channel Beast Philanthropy.[18][19]

Donaldson is the founder of MrBeast Burger, Feastables, and a co-founder of Team Trees, a fundraiser for the Arbor Day Foundation that has raised over $24 million for its campaigns, and Lunchly, a food and snack brand similar to Lunchables.[20][21][22] He also co-founded Team Seas, a fundraiser for Ocean Conservancy and The Ocean Cleanup that has raised over $30 million.[23] Donaldson won the Creator of the Year award four years in a row at the Streamy Awards in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023; he also won the Favorite Male Creator award three times at the 2022, 2023, and 2024 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards. In 2023, Time named him as one of the world's 100 most influential people.[24] He has ranked on the Forbes list for the highest-paid YouTube creator in 2022[25] and has an estimated net worth of $500 million.[26]

In September 2024, Donaldson was one of the subjects of a class action lawsuit that alleged widespread mistreatment, sexual harassment, and unpaid expenses and wages on his upcoming reality television series Beast Games.[27]

Early life

James Stephen Donaldson[a] was born on May 7, 1998,[28] in Wichita, Kansas.[29] He was mainly raised in Greenville, North Carolina.[30][31] He moved often and was under the care of au pairs due to his parents working long hours and serving in the military. His parents divorced in 2007.[30] In 2016, Donaldson graduated from Greenville Christian Academy, a small private evangelical Christian high school in the area. He briefly attended East Carolina University before dropping out.[32][33] While at Greenville Christian, Donaldson played baseball as an outfielder for several years.[34] After dropping out of college, Donaldson and his friends tried to analyze YouTube's recommendation algorithm and sought to deduce how to create viral videos.[35] Donaldson recalled during this period, "There's a five-year point in my life where I was just relentlessly, unhealthily obsessed with studying virality, studying the YouTube algorithm. I woke up. I would Uber Eats food. And then I would sit on my computer all day just studying shit nonstop with [other YouTubers]."[30]

YouTube career

2012–2017: Early viral attempts

Current members of the MrBeast crew. From left to right: Karl Jacobs, Nolan Hansen, and Chandler Hallow

Donaldson uploaded his first YouTube video in February 2012, at the age of 13, under the name of "MrBeast6000".[36] His early content ranged from Let's Plays, mainly focused on Minecraft and Call of Duty: Black Ops II,[36] videos estimating the wealth of other YouTubers,[37] videos that offered tips to upcoming YouTube creators, and commentary on YouTube drama. Donaldson appeared infrequently in these videos.[36]

In 2015 and 2016, Donaldson began to gain popularity with his "Worst Intros on YouTube" series poking fun at YouTube video introductions.[36] By mid-2016, Donaldson had around 30,000 subscribers. In the fall of that year, Donaldson dropped out of East Carolina University to pursue a full-time career as a YouTuber.[15][37] His mother disapproved of his decision and made him move out of the family home.[32]

As his channel grew, Donaldson hired four childhood friends—Ava Kris Tyson, Chandler Hallow, Garrett Ronalds, and Jake Franklin—to contribute to his channel.[32] Franklin left the crew in 2020. Afterward, Karl Jacobs, previously a cameraman, was promoted to take his place.[38][39][40]

2017–2020: Rise to fame

MrBeast in 2018

In January 2017, Jimmy Donaldson published an almost day-long video of himself counting to 100,000, which became his breakthrough viral video.[16] The ordeal took him 40 hours, with some parts sped up to "keep it under 24 hours".[41] Donaldson gained popularity during this period with stunts, such as attempting to break glass using a hundred megaphones, watching paint dry for an hour,[33] staying underwater for 24 hours, which ended up failing due to health issues, and an unsuccessful attempt to spin a fidget spinner for a day.[42] By 2018, Donaldson had given out $1 million through his stunts, which earned him the title of "YouTube's biggest philanthropist".[32]

During the PewDiePie vs T-Series rivalry in 2018, a competition to become the most-subscribed channel on YouTube, Donaldson bought billboards and numerous television and radio advertisements to help PewDiePie gain more subscribers than T-Series.[43][44] During Super Bowl LIII, he bought multiple seats for himself and his team, whose shirts spelled out "Sub 2 PewDiePie".[45][46]

In March 2019, Donaldson organized and filmed a real-life battle royale competition in Los Angeles with prizes totaling $200,000 (two games were played, each awarding $100,000) in collaboration with Apex Legends.[47] The event and prize pool were sponsored by Apex Legends publisher Electronic Arts.[48]

Donaldson was accused of using counterfeit money in his video titled "I Opened A FREE BANK", published on November 23, 2019.[32] He later explained that he used fake money to avoid participant safety concerns and that participants received real checks after the shoot.[32]

In April 2020, Donaldson created a rock, paper, scissors competition stream that featured 32 influencers and a grand prize of $250,000, which, at the time, became YouTube's most-watched live Original event with 662,000 concurrent viewers.[49] The event was won by Nadeshot.[50] In October 2020, Donaldson hosted another influencer tournament, this time trivia, featuring 24 competitors with a grand prize of $300,000. The winners of the tournament were the siblings Charli and Dixie D'Amelio, which caused controversy due to claims that they cheated.[51]

2021–present: Mainstream success

On January 1, 2021, Donaldson released the video "Youtube Rewind 2020, Thank God It's Over". In Donaldson's video, he explains that he had always believed that YouTubers "should get more say in Rewind", and with this in mind, he decided to call "hundreds of YouTubers". At the end of the video, Donaldson gives a shout-out to PewDiePie, citing him and his 2018 Rewind as the inspiration for Donaldson's Rewind.[52] A month later, Donaldson signed a Facebook and Snapchat content distribution deal with Jellysmack.[53][54]

MrBeast at the 2023 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards

During a Clubhouse room in February 2021, Donaldson booted entrepreneur Farokh Sarmad after he allegedly said he could not pronounce his name, a move that Sarmad later said was racist. Sarmad's claims were questioned and denied by other Clubhouse users, who were present at the call and argued against Sarmad's claims, claiming that Donaldson removed him along with others to make room for women to be more inclusive.[55][56]

In November 2021, Donaldson uploaded "$456,000 Squid Game in Real Life!", a recreation of the survival drama streaming television series Squid Game in real life. The video had 456 people compete for a $456,000 cash prize.[57] The video was one of the most-watched YouTube videos of 2021, receiving over 130 million views within a week.[58] A review of the video in Vice argued that it "badly misunderstood the anti-capitalist message of Squid Game".[59] Despite this, Squid Game creator Hwang Dong-hyuk has reacted positively to recreations and parodies of the series.[60]

In December 2021, Donaldson created a third influencer tournament featuring 15 competitors with a grand prize of $1 million.[61][62][63] In January 2022, Forbes ranked Donaldson as YouTube's highest-earning creator, earning an estimated $54 million in 2021. Forbes stated that his income in 2021 would have placed him 40th in the 2020 Forbes Celebrity 100, earning as much money as Vin Diesel and Lewis Hamilton did in 2020.[25][64]

On July 28, 2022, Donaldson surpassed 100 million subscribers on his main channel, making him the fifth channel and the second individual YouTuber to achieve the milestone.[65][66] On November 17, 2022, Donaldson achieved the Guinness World Record of "Most Subscribers for an Individual Male on YouTube" with his MrBeast channel at 112 million subscribers.[67] The previous record holder, PewDiePie, had held the record as the most subscribed YouTuber for almost ten years.[68] Donaldson achieved one billion video views over 30 days on his main YouTube channel in November 2022.[69] On October 15, 2023, Donaldson surpassed 200 million subscribers.[70] His YouTube Shorts video "Would You Fly to Paris for a Baguette?" is the most watched video on his main YouTube channel, having more than 1.3 billion views and 50 million likes as of January 2024.[71]

On June 2, 2024, Donaldson surpassed India-based music label and film production company T-Series for the title of the most subscribed channel on YouTube, at 267 million.[72] On July 10, 2024, Donaldson became the first YouTuber to surpass 300 million subscribers.[73] On July 13, 2024, Donaldson uploaded his 300 million subscribers special, "50 YouTubers Fight for $1,000,000". The video featured guest appearances from Howie Mandel, Miranda Cosgrove, and Joey Chestnut.[74] This video reached 71 million views in the first 24 hours, becoming Donaldson's most-viewed video within its first 24 hours.[75]

YouTube content

Early in his career, Donaldson's content usually consisted of Let's Plays, "best and worst" videos and YouTube commentary.[76][36] Donaldson's present-day videos are categorized into three genres: stunt videos, where Donaldson or other participants perform challenges that are interesting, challenging, or dangerous; "junklord" videos, where Donaldson uses a large quantity of a particular product unusually or spends an extravagant amount on it; and giveaway videos, where Donaldson gives away large amounts of money or extravagant prizes to people, usually including a competitive aspect.[b] Giveaway videos are considered to be a distinctive feature of Donaldson's content.[76]

Donaldson's videos leverage YouTube's recommendation algorithm to go viral, mainly by maximizing click-through rate and viewer retention.[76] To maximize click-through rate, he focuses on creating effective topics, titles, and thumbnails.[77] In an interview with Lex Fridman, he stated that for him to create a viral video, it needed to be "original, creative, something people really need to see, ideally never been done before".[78] His titles are designed to attract attention by promising outrageous stunts, and using certain keywords like "24-hours" and "challenge".[35][77] His thumbnails are designed to be easily understandable, clearly focused, and brightly colored.[79] To maximize viewer retention, Donaldson paces the videos to have viewers engaged throughout. His videos typically span 10–30 minutes. He hooks viewers by explaining the premise in under half a minute at the start of the video,[35] and promises a "finale" to have viewers engaged until the end of the video.[76]

Donaldson's funding for these videos mainly comes from sponsorships and Google's AdSense program.[80] Donaldson was reported in 2022 to spend about $1 million on each video.[30] Most of his funding comes from sponsorships.[80] Donaldson uses his reaction channel and gaming channel to help finance his main channel, as their videos are relatively cheap to produce and make a substantial amount of money.[30] The Verge noted that his revenue is self-perpetuating: "The more viral he becomes, the more brands want to work with him, and the bigger his own AdSense earnings get. He can then entice viewers with even bigger giveaway videos. It's a never ending cycle".[80] He stated in an interview with Rolling Stone: "I could be doing cheaper videos, [...] But I just don't want to. I want to push the boundaries to go bigger, bigger".[30][81] Donaldson earns passive income through merchandise, MrBeast Burger, and Feastables.[76][82]

As of 2023, Donaldson employs over 250 people. They include writers, editors, and producers.[83][84] Many employees are people familiar to Donaldson, such as friends and family members.[84]

Other ventures

Finger on the App

In June 2020, Donaldson, in collaboration with Brooklyn-based art collective MSCHF, released a one-time multiplayer mobile game titled Finger on the App. In the game, players touch their phone screen and the last person to remove their finger from the screen wins $25,000.[85] In the end, four people won $20,000 each after keeping their finger on the app for over 70 hours.[86] The game was reportedly so successful that a sequel titled Finger on the App 2 was planned to originally launch in December 2020. The game was postponed to February, then further delayed to March 2021 due to a flood of downloads, causing the game to crash and requiring its developers to upgrade their servers. This time, the game featured a grand prize of $100,000.[87] The winner kept their finger on the phone screen for around 51 hours. The second-place finisher also received a prize of $20,000.[88]

MrBeast Burger

A MrBeast Burger restaurant in New Jersey

Will Hyde, a producer for the MrBeast channel, announced in a November 2020 article with The Wake Weekly that Donaldson would launch a virtual restaurant called MrBeast Burger in December 2020. Hyde said his team worked with Virtual Dining Concepts while developing the restaurant concept. He said MrBeast Burger will sell franchise rights to serve the burgers to restaurants across the U.S., and customers will be able to order the burgers via online delivery services.[89] In August 2022, Donaldson announced that he would bring a MrBeast Burger shop to the American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey, near New York City, to be the location of his first U.S. restaurant. The restaurant opened on September 4, 2022.[90]

Feastables

A new formula Feastables Bar

In January 2022, Donaldson announced the creation of a new food company called Feastables, which launched its brand of chocolate bars called "Feastables". At launch, they offered three flavors of bars: original, almond, and quinoa crunch. The launch corresponded with a sweepstakes with over $1 million in prizes, including $10,000 prize winners who would receive a chance to compete for a chocolate factory in a future video, emulating Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.[91][better source needed] The video, released in June 2022, contained a series of elimination challenges where the winner won the choice of the chocolate factory or a $500,000 cash prize. Michelin Star chef Gordon Ramsay featured as a judge in the final challenge of the video and ultimately decided who won the cash prize.[92][93] Feastables reportedly made $10 million in its first few months of operation.[94]

On March 3, 2023, Donaldson asked fans on Twitter to "clean up the presentation" of Feastables displays on store shelves and suggested that they obscure competing products. Feastables offered fans entry into a $5,000 raffle if they provided proof of their assistance. The tweets drew criticism and accusations that Feastables was exploiting fans for unpaid labor.[95][96]

On October 2, 2023, Feastables signed a partnership with the Charlotte Hornets to include MrBeast's insignia on their jerseys for the 2023–24 NBA season.[97][98] However, the partnership has since ended.[99]

On January 11, 2024, Donaldson announced changes to the original Feastables bar, including a new shape and formula.[citation needed]

Lunchly

Lunchly-brand "nacho chips with queso blanco and salsa" snack kit

In September 2024, Donaldson announced the Lunchly brand of snack kits. The brand, marketed as a healthier alternative to Lunchables, was founded as joint venture with fellow YouTubers Olajide "KSI" Olatunji and Logan Paul.[100]

At launch, each box included Prime and Feastables, existing products offered by the creators, along with three varieties of turkey with cheese and crackers, nachos with salsa and cheese, or pizza.[101]

Lunchly faced substantial criticism on various social media platforms from individuals who questioned the marketing tactics and nutritional quality of the lunch kit. Notably, YouTuber DanTDM expressed his disapproval of Lunchly by posting on his X (formerly Twitter) profile, "This is selling crap to kids who don't know better than to trust the people who are selling it to them."[102]

Investments and partnerships

Donaldson is an investor in the tech startup Backbone, which produces the Backbone One, a controller that makes smartphones appear more similar to Nintendo Switch controllers, and the Backbone app, a content creation and social tools app for its users.[103][104]

In March 2021, Donaldson partnered with Creative Juice financial network to introduce Juice Funds, a $2 million investment fund for content creators.[105][84]

In April 2021, Donaldson became a long-term investor and partner of financial technology company Current.[106][107] The same month, Donaldson received backlash after fans lost large amounts of money in a cryptocurrency scheme that Donaldson had invested in and promoted.[84]

In November 2022, Donaldson partnered with East Carolina University to create a course centered around YouTube content creation.[108][109]

In May 2023, Donaldson was featured as a guest judge on Gordon Ramsay's Food Stars show.[110]

FAST Channel

In 2023, a free ad-supported streaming television network named Mr. Beast that only shows previously released MrBeast YouTube videos began airing on the Roku Channel service.[111]

Beast Games

In March 2024, Donaldson and Amazon MGM Studios announced their plans to create a new reality competition series Beast Games, set to air exclusively on Prime Video. It is set to become the biggest reality competition series with 1,000 contestants competing for a $5 million cash prize—the biggest single prize in the history of television and streaming.[112]

The show faced criticism after contestants complained that they had been denied food, water, medication, and beds during production. Several contestants were hospitalized during the first filming sessions, with over a dozen contestants claiming that various injuries had occurred while participating in the challenges and that many had been seen being removed from the arena on stretchers.[113][114] A spokesperson of Donaldson would blame external factors such as the global computer systems outage caused by CrowdStrike's update to its software, "extreme weather and other unexpected logistical and communications issues".[115]

Controversies

Working conditions

Some former employees alleged that Donaldson nurtured a difficult work environment. In a May 2021 New York Times article, Matt Turner, an editor for Donaldson from February 2018 to September 2019, claimed that Donaldson berated him almost daily, including calling him a "retard". Turner reported that he was regularly not credited for his work.[84] Reporting by Insider showed that Turner previously posted a video in 2018 explaining his allegations and, in October 2019, released a deleted Twitter thread which stated that he was "yelled at, bullied, called mentally retarded and replaceable by Donaldson every single day".[116] Nate Anderson, another editor, quit after working for Donaldson for a week in 2018 over what he said were unreasonable demands and called Donaldson a perfectionist. After releasing a video describing his experience, Anderson reportedly received death threats from Donaldson's fans. Nine other employees who worked for Donaldson also stated that while he was sometimes generous, his demeanor would change when the cameras were off.[84][116] Donaldson disputes these claims, stating: "We have high standards, but it’s not a toxic work environment". Donaldson also claims that he gave Turner $10,000 and suggested a job at another company to him at the end of his contract.[30]

MrBeast Burger

On June 17, 2023, Donaldson expressed wishes to shut down MrBeast Burger due to fears that quality cannot be guaranteed, saying he regrets signing "a bad deal" with Virtual Dining Concepts, LLC, but said the company "won't let me stop even though it's terrible for my brand".[117][118][119] On July 31, 2023, Donaldson sued Virtual Dining Concepts to end their partnership, alleging that the company damaged Donaldson's reputation by prioritizing the expansion of the MrBeast Burger brand over food quality. Donaldson also claimed he received no payment from the partnership.[120][121] Virtual Dining Concepts disputed the claims, stating Donaldson had grown his reputation due to the MrBeast Burger brand, and accused Donaldson of attempting a new deal for personal gain and resorting to "bullying" when rejected.[122]

Allegations against Ava Kris Tyson

On July 24, 2024, Donaldson removed Ava Kris Tyson, one of the original cast members, from the MrBeast brand following allegations against Tyson of sexual misconduct with multiple minors and of pressuring a former employee to perform sexual acts.[123] However, Tyson put out her own statement, saying she willingly stepped away and that her decision to leave was mutual.[124][125] One of the alleged victims initially responded to the allegations by denying that he had been groomed, referring to it as "massive lies and twisting the truth" and claimed that Tyson had only "made a few edgy jokes".[126][127] He later rescinded the statement and said that the conversations were inappropriate for his age and acknowledged that he was a minor who did not recognize the wrongdoing at the time.[128] Donaldson released a statement saying he was hiring an independent investigator to look further into the matter.[129]

On November 1, the law firm Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, hired by MrBeast to conduct a third-party investigation,[130] concluded the allegations were baseless, after conducting "39 interviews of current and former employees" and reviewing "over 4.5 million documents from mobile phones, emails, Telegrams, Discords, WhatsApps and Slack".[130] The law firm reported that: "The allegations were soundly rejected, including by alleged victims."[130] These alleged victims have commented on the allegations as "massive lies,"[131] with one saying, "People used my name to make very serious allegations and claims without ever speaking to me."[132]

Accusations against Donaldson

On July 24, 2024, one of Donaldson's former employees released a YouTube video accusing Donaldson of rigging contests, running illegal lotteries, and deceiving his fans.[133][134] In a second video, the uploader interviewed another former employee who described poor working conditions and Donaldson hiring Jake Franklin's brother-in-law,[135] a registered sex offender, who was charged with assaulting a minor. The uploader also alleged that Donaldson's cameraman sexually harassed multiple women.[136]

Class action lawsuit

In September 2024, a class action lawsuit on behalf of former contestants of Beast Games was filed against Donaldson, Amazon, and associated production companies in Los Angeles Superior Court. The lawsuit alleged that the Beast Games contestants experienced widespread mistreatment, sexual harassment, and unpaid expenses and wages.[137][138] The lawsuit also alleged that these violations occurred for the purpose of gaining Nevada tax credits: “Plaintiffs and the Proposed Class [were forced] to enter into illegal contracts and provid[e] false information to the State of Nevada to obtain unearned tax credits.”[139]

Philanthropy

#TeamTrees

Team Trees

On October 25, 2019, Donaldson and former NASA engineer and YouTuber Mark Rober announced a collaborative fundraising challenge event on YouTube called #TeamTrees. The goal of this project was to raise $20 million for the Arbor Day Foundation by January 1, 2020, and plant trees "no later than December 2022". Every donation goes to the Arbor Day Foundation, which pledges to plant one tree for every dollar donated. Notable YouTubers such as Rhett & Link, Marshmello, iJustine, Marques Brownlee, The Slow Mo Guys, Ninja, Simone Giertz, Jacksepticeye, and Smarter Every Day brought attention to the project, and trees began to be planted in October 2019 in US national parks.[140][141]

On December 19 of that year, the $20 million goal was surpassed.[142] The project has received large donations from corporate executives Jack Dorsey, Susan Wojcicki, Elon Musk,[143] and Tobias Lütke,[144] and companies such as Discovery, Verizon, and PopCap.[20] Tobias Lütke, founder and CEO of Shopify, holds the record for the highest donation at 1,000,001 trees planted.[145] As of June 5, 2024, the original goal of 20 million trees has been far surpassed, with over 24.7 million trees in the ground.[145]

#TeamSeas

Team Seas

On October 29, 2021, Donaldson and Rober organized another collaborative challenge event on YouTube titled #TeamSeas. The goal of this project was to raise $30 million for the Ocean Conservancy and The Ocean Cleanup by January 1, 2022. The $30 million goal would fund the removal of 30 million pounds of plastic and other waste from oceans, rivers, and beaches. Donaldson and Rober enlisted thousands of content creators, including AzzyLand, DanTDM, TommyInnit, LinusTechTips, TierZoo, LEMMiNO, The Infographics Show, Hannah Stocking, Dhar Mann, and Marques Brownlee, and partnered with BEN and TubeBuddy's initiative of eight million global creators, to promote the fundraiser.[146][147][148]

As of June 5, 2024, the original $30 million goal has been surpassed by 12–13%, with more than $33.7 million raised.[149]

Beast Philanthropy

Greenville received Thanksgiving meals as part of an initiative by Beast Philanthropy and Jennie-O.[150][151]

On September 17, 2020, the YouTube channel Beast Philanthropy was created.[152] In the channel's first video, Donaldson announced the charity and food bank and named Darren Margolias, who appeared previously as an executive director.[153][154] According to the channel description, 100% of its advertising revenue, brand deals, and merchandise sales are donated to charity.[16][152]

Notable initiatives by Beast Philanthropy include giving away 10,000 turkeys to his hometown of Greenville,[150][151] donating 20,000 shoes to children in Africa,[155] building 100 wells in Africa for villages with limited access to clean water,[156] and gifting $300,000 worth of technology to various schools.[157]

Personal life

Donaldson describes himself as an introvert. Donaldson admits to having difficulty maintaining a social life due to his obsession with YouTube and his intense work ethic. Donaldson's mother, Sue, attributes his withdrawn lifestyle to their frequent relocations and his struggles with Crohn's disease.[30]

Donaldson dated Maddy Spidell, a YouTuber, from 2019 to 2022. He has been dating Thea Booysen, a gaming streamer, since 2022.[158][159]

In June 2023, after the OceanGate submersible Titan imploded in the Atlantic Ocean while on a tourist expedition to view the wreck of the Titanic, killing all five passengers, Donaldson stated that he had been invited on the expedition but declined the offer.[160][161]

Political views

Donaldson considers himself apolitical because he wants to avoid alienating his audience, which would interfere with his goal of charity.[30] On a podcast in September 2022, Donaldson commented that he would consider a run for president of the United States "in like 20 years", adding that the U.S. is "due for younger presidents".[162][163] On July 6, 2024, during the 2024 presidential election, Donaldson wrote on Twitter, "If we lower the age to run for president I'll jump in the race".[164] Donaldson clarified on another Twitter post reiterating his apolitical position.[165][162]

LGBT issues

In an April 2022 interview with Rolling Stone, Donaldson announced that he was no longer an evangelical Christian and identified as an agnostic theist. He also stated that he had long agreed with Christian opposition to homosexuality. He states that during the time he grew up in the Bible Belt, he had religion "beat into [his] head every day" and was taught that "gay people are the reason God's going to come and burn this Earth". He has since disavowed anti-LGBT rhetoric.[30][166]

In October 2018, The Atlantic published an article on Donaldson's history of using homophobic slurs.[59][167][31] The article stated that Donaldson, while still a teenager, had had a habit of referring to people as "fags" on Twitter and regularly treated being homosexual as a punchline in-jokes and "gay" as an insult.[167] Donaldson later removed the tweets, and in 2021, a spokesperson for Donaldson said that he had "grown up and matured into someone that doesn't speak like that".[84]

After Ava Kris (then Chris) Tyson, Donaldson's childhood friend and employee, acknowledged in April 2023 that she was receiving feminizing hormone replacement therapy, Donaldson defended her against backlash she had received: "Yeah, this is getting absurd. Chris isn't my 'nightmare' he's[c] my fucken [sic] friend and things are fine. All this transphobia is starting to piss me off".[169][168] Tyson subsequently came out as a trans woman.[170][171]

Public image and influence

MrBeast's large model gumball machine at VidCon 2022

As of July 2024, MrBeast is the most subscribed channel on YouTube, surpassing T-Series.[172] A February 2021 poll from Insider showed that 70% of respondents had a favorable view of him, compared to 12% who had an unfavorable view.[173] His channel appeals strongly to younger viewers.[30][174][175] Donaldson also builds a parasocial relationship with his viewers by "looking directly at the camera and talking to the audience"[175] and displaying himself as "an exciting, relatable, authentic, down-to-earth person".[175][176]

However, some critics have questioned Donaldson's motives and ethics. Users on social media accused Donaldson of exploiting poverty for views, deeming his content "charity porn".[177][178][156] His philanthropy has been criticized for not addressing the root causes of systemic inequality.[179] In response, Donaldson claimed that he does not profit from Beast Philanthropy or its videos and that all revenue goes towards charity. He also stressed the importance of the government's role in solving systemic issues.[180][181]

According to Charissa Cheong of Insider, Donaldson becoming the most-subscribed YouTuber marks a shift in YouTube content away from traditional vlogging towards high-production, elaborate videos that create a more "television-like experience". She wrote, "the future of YouTube content will likely look more 'experimental' now that Donaldson's high-stakes challenges are performing so well. Creators are going to keep trying to 'push the boundaries of what is possible' by trying new and 'extreme' formats and genres".[182] Fellow YouTuber and former NASA engineer Mark Rober wrote that Donaldson is "constantly raising the bar for creators whether it's through re-creating Squid Game in real life or paying for the eye surgeries of 1,000 blind people".[183] Donaldson has inspired many young YouTubers.[176][84] His "extreme challenge videos" have influenced other YouTubers like Fidias and Airrack, who similarly try to attempt difficult challenges in their videos.[184] This trend has been called the "MrBeast-ification of YouTube".[185]

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2023 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem Times Square Bystander Voice [186]
Under the Boardwalk Hot Sauce Crab
2024 The Sidemen Story Himself Documentary [187]
Kung Fu Panda 4 Panda Pig Voice [188]

Awards and nominations

Year Ceremony Category Result Ref.
2019 9th Streamy Awards Breakout Creator Won [189]
Ensemble Cast Nominated
Creator of the Year Nominated
2020 12th Annual Shorty Awards YouTuber of the Year Won [190]
10th Streamy Awards Creator of the Year [191][192]
Live Special
Social Good: Creator
Social Good: Nonprofit or NGO
2021 2021 Kids' Choice Awards Favorite Male Social Star Nominated [193]
11th Streamy Awards Creator of the Year Won [194]
2022 2022 Kids' Choice Awards Favorite Male Creator Won [195]
12th Streamy Awards Creator of the Year Won [196][197]
Collaboration Nominated
Social Good: Creator[d] Won
Creator Product Nominated
Editing Nominated
Brand Engagement[d] Won
Social Impact Campaign[d] Nominated
2023 2023 Kids' Choice Awards Favorite Male Creator Won [198]
13th Streamy Awards Creator of the Year Won [199]
Collaboration Won
Creator Product Nominated
Brand Engagement Nominated
2024 2024 Kids' Choice Awards Favorite Male Creator Won [200]

Publications

Publication Year Category Ref.
Forbes 30 Under 30 2021 Social Media [201]
Guinness World Records 2022 Largest vegetarian burger [202]
Most subscribers for an individual male on YouTube [203]
2023 First person to reach 1 million followers on Threads [204]
Highest-earning YouTube contributor (current) [205]
Most YouTube subscribers gained in one week [206]
2024 Most subscribers on YouTube [207]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b Attributed to multiple sources.[5][6][7][8][9] One source spells Donaldson's middle name "Steven."[10]
  2. ^ Examples of each genre:[76]
    • Stunt: "Microwaving a microwave," "I counted to 100,000"
    • Junklord: "I built a giant house using only Legos," "I ate $100,000 golden ice cream"
    • Giveaway: "Extreme $500,000 game of tag," "Giving a random homeless man $10,000"
  3. ^ At the time of this quote, Tyson was still using the forename Chris and did not have a pronoun preference.[168]
  4. ^ a b c As Team Seas

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