MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson) has recently faced scrutiny over a video titled "I Explored 2000 Year Old Ancient Temples," filmed at Mayan archaeological sites in Mexico. The video, released on May 10, 2025, showcases MrBeast and his team exploring ancient temples, including Chichén Itzá, and has amassed over 69 million views.
The controversy centers around allegations that the video violated filming agreements with Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH). While initial reports indicated that the production had the necessary permits, INAH later clarified that certain sequences, such as a helicopter descent and the handling of sacred artifacts, were fabricated in post-production and not part of the approved activities. Additionally, the inclusion of promotional content for MrBeast's Feastables snack brand raised concerns about unauthorized commercial use of national heritage sites. As a result, INAH has filed a lawsuit against Full Circle Media, the production company involved, seeking damages and a public retraction.
MrBeast's team has defended the video, stating that the intent was to showcase Mayan heritage positively and that no promotional footage was filmed on protected sites. However, the incident has sparked a broader discussion about the commercialization of cultural heritage and the responsibilities of content creators when engaging with such sites.
In a separate matter, MrBeast has also addressed internal concerns within his organization. Following allegations of inappropriate behavior by individuals in his company, he ordered a comprehensive assessment of the internal culture, including plans to hire a chief human resources officer and implement company-wide sensitivity training. This move aims to foster a safer and more inclusive environment for all employees.
MrBeast's Beast Games—a $100 million reality competition series on Amazon Prime Video—has become one of his most ambitious projects and most controversial. The show features 1,000 contestants competing for a $5 million prize, the largest single cash prize in reality TV history. However, it has faced significant backlash due to allegations of unsafe working conditions and mistreatment of participants.
Allegations and Legal Action
On September 16, 2024, five contestants filed a class-action lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court against MrBeast's production company, MrB2024, LLC, and others. The lawsuit alleges:
Unsafe Working Conditions: Contestants claim they were denied adequate food, water, and medical care, leading to injuries during filming.
Labor Violations: Allegations include unpaid wages, lack of overtime compensation, and misclassification of contestants as volunteers to avoid taxes.
Sexual Harassment: The lawsuit details instances of sexual harassment and a failure to prevent such behavior on set.
The plaintiffs argue that these conditions were part of a broader pattern of mistreatment during the show's production.
MrBeast's Response
MrBeast has denied the allegations, stating that the claims are "blown out of proportion" and that he has footage to refute them. He emphasized that he invested heavily in the show's production and aimed to create an unprecedented reality TV experience.
Reception and Impact
Despite the controversy, Beast Games became Amazon Prime Video's most-watched unscripted series, garnering 50 million viewers in 25 days. However, critics gave it poor reviews, citing a lack of focus on contestants and a derivative format reminiscent of Squid Game.
For a visual breakdown of the controversy, you can watch the following video:
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