Content creator MrBeast says being an international sensation isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. In his appearance on The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett, the influencer — whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson — said life was “easier” before his new money brought new problems, including mental health concerns and death threats.
“It was like, so much easier when you’re—bro, if you don’t travel constantly, life is so easy when you just wake up in your own bed and, like, waking up in your own bed and working 15 hours in, you know, your office or whatever? So easy … I’m like, ‘I don’t know the time zone I’m in, I don’t know what place I’m in’ … some days, I’m going to bed at 10 a.m., other days, I’m going to bed at 5 p.m. …”
After his appearance, viewers stopped rolling their eyes long enough to share their agitation on social media. In this economy, the billionaire’s out-of-touch financial commentary is enough to stir controversy in its own right. An Amazon driver, a teacher, a stay-at-home parent — they’re not interested in a billionaire’s travel frustrations. And what’s more, most of the creator’s videos, at their core, contradict his statement. Over-the-top displays of wealth, opportunities afforded to almost none, all with eye-popping price tags in the titles. Hey, kids — look how awesome being rich is!
Donaldson’s pseudo-philanthropic history compounds viewers’ collective “ick.” In 2023, Donaldson uploaded a video revealing he had paid for vision-restoring surgery for 1,000 people. While endearing and altruistic on paper, it looks a little different in practice. Donaldson’s decision to broadcast — and subsequently profit from — Americans’ inability to access healthcare drew ire from many. The creator has also faced numerous allegations of misconduct, including on the set of his Squid Game-inspired game show, which feels a little on-the-nose.
MrBeast: A Brief History
Donaldson posted his first YouTube video in 2012. At the start, his content primarily consisted of sandbox “Let’s Plays” or vlogs. Today, his videos’ viewer counts eclipse those of nearly every other user on the platform. More than 130 million viewers tuned into his most recent upload, posted just 13 days ago. Donaldson’s YouTube account is the platform’s most-followed, boasting 365 million unique subscribers. The creator’s colossal following carries over to other outlets; more than 66 million users follow his Instagram account. His followings on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook comprise 32.2 million and 27 million users, respectively.
The media personality has further infiltrated the American zeitgeist, launching culinary creations aimed primarily at tech-young consumers. Shoppers can find his Feastables bars in checkout lanes nationwide, and his sometimes-moldy Lunchables-inspired Lunchly snacks in grocery store coolers. In addition, Donaldson’s pricy and controversial MrBeast Burger chain is widely available via third-party food delivery apps. Yes, it’s in your area. No, you haven’t seen it, because it doesn’t really exist — outside of one or two brick-and-mortar spots, anyway. The branded hamburgers are prepared and shipped from ghost kitchens, often found within existing restaurants like Buca di Beppo.
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A lifelong gamer raised on classic titles like Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, and Croc, Stephanie brings her expertise of gaming and pop culture to deliver unique, refreshing views on the world of video games, complete with references to absurd and obscure media.
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