MrBeast Acknowledges ‘Inappropriate Language’ in Earlier Videos
MrBeast, the popular YouTube star known for arranging complex stunts and giving away cash, acknowledged in a statement this week that he had used “inappropriate language” in some of his earlier videos.
MrBeast, 26, whose name is Jimmy Donaldson, has faced backlash in recent weeks over a video recently circulating online in which he made comments about buying Black people. A representative of Mr. Donaldson on Thursday shared the statement, which had been earlier reported by The Associated Press.
“When Jimmy was a teenager he acted like many kids and used inappropriate language while trying to be funny,” the representative said. “Over the years he has repeatedly apologized and has learned that increasing influence comes with increased responsibility to be more aware and more sensitive to the power of language. After making some bad jokes and other mistakes when he was younger, as an adult he has focused on engaging with the MrBeast community to work together on making a positive impact around the world.”
His remarks came as he faced accusations that he had manipulated some of his contests and videos.
Here’s what to know about MrBeast.
Who is MrBeast?
Mr. Donaldson’s YouTube channel is one of the most popular on the video platform, with more than 307 million subscribers. On his channel, which has more than 800 highly produced videos, Mr. Donaldson is known for elaborate stunts and for giving away money.
In one of his most recent videos, Mr. Donaldson gathered 50 popular YouTubers inside a large cube with a simple objective: Last person standing wins $1 million. In another video, a friend of Mr. Donaldson has to complete six dangerous obstacle courses to win a prize of $800,000.
The videos, however, have received a mixed reaction over the years, especially from critics who say that his generous acts are done to gain views, not out of selflessness.
Older video and audio has resurfaced.
More recently, Mr. Donaldson has drawn backlash after several of his earlier videos have circulated on social media.
In one undated video that has resurfaced, Mr. Donaldson responds to a comment from a viewer about selling Black people for money.
“The most I would pay is like 300,” he says. “Sorry, 400 is just out of my price range for that type of stuff.”
In another clip, from a podcast in 2017, Mr. Donaldson asked a friend whether he would have sex with Bhad Bhabie, the rapper whose real name is Danielle Bregoli and who was about 14 at the time. Mr. Donaldson also made a reference to her breasts in the clip.
YouTuber alleges contest manipulation.
Over the past week, Mr. Donaldson has also faced claims that some of his videos are “fake” and that he is a “fraud.”
In a video uploaded to YouTube on July 24 titled, “I Worked For MrBeast, He’s A Fraud,” a former worker of Mr. Donaldson claimed that some videos on the MrBeast channel are altered and suggests that Mr. Donaldson manipulates some of the lucrative competitions in his videos.
Chucky Appleby, who works with Mr. Donaldson, said in a statement on X on July 29 that he had fired that worker for “erratic behavior.”
“I want to specifically address him saying our videos are fake or staged, because this is not true and I was on set for many of these videos,” he wrote.
Last week, Mr. Donaldson posted a statement on X in which he addressed “serious allegations” against Ava Kris Tyson, another popular YouTuber who apologized for “past behavior” that was not discussed in detail.
Without describing any allegations, Mr. Donaldson said that he had removed Ms. Tyson from his company and channel. He also said he was hiring “an independent third party” to investigate the claims and that he did not condone “any of the inappropriate actions.”
Michael Levenson contributed reporting.
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