MrBeast, aka Jimmy Donaldson, was reportedly paid $100 million by Amazon|@MrBeast|X
YouTuber MrBeast’s Squid Game-inspired game show Beast Games premieres today and will stream exclusively on Amazon Prime.
The show will be hosted by 26-year-old Jimmy Donaldson (aka MrBeast), and its 10 episodes will draw attention to high-stakes, neon-lit challenges.
YouTube’s top creator, with 337 million followers, was reportedly paid $100 million by Amazon in hopes that some of his followers would follow him over to the streaming platform.
According to MrBeast, the show will have 1,000 contestants competing for a $5 million reward, which Amazon claims is the “biggest single prize in the history of television and streaming.”
However, the show has been plagued with complaints by contestants claiming poor conditions and a toxic and hostile workplace for months.
In September, a lawsuit was filed against MrBeast and Amazon, alleging mistreatment. Contestants claim they were deprived of food, medical care, and sleep, faced unsafe conditions, and endured sexual harassment.
MrBeast responded, asserting the claims were exaggerated and promising behind-the-scenes footage to clarify the situation.
The game show is a new career path for the internet star. The teaser showed contestants standing on individual platforms as MrBeast yelled, “Start the timer!”
Not his first attempt
In 2021, the content creator reenacted Squid Game, featuring elimination challenges and a $456,000 prize. It became his most-viewed video on YouTube, with 678 million views.
The first round of Beast Games was filmed in Las Vegas with 2,000 participants.