In the realm of YouTube, where attention is often fleeting and content creators come and go, one figure has emerged from the shadows to become a true phenomenon. Meet Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast, the 25-year-old sensation who has redefined online entertainment. His journey from a shy 18-year-old uploading videos from his mom’s house in North Carolina to the owner of a rapidly growing empire valued at over $1 billion is nothing short of extraordinary.
Dropping out of college just two weeks into his stint at East Carolina University, Donaldson’s early passion for video editing paved the way for his unconventional path to stardom. Disappointed by his decision to abandon academia, his mother went as far as kicking him out of the house. Little did she know that this seemingly risky move would set the stage for her son’s future success.
Fast forward seven years, and MrBeast boasts a staggering 167 million subscribers on YouTube, surpassing any other individual content creator on the platform. His influence extends to 85 million followers on TikTok and 39 million on Instagram. Recently, he became the first person to reach 1 million followers on Threads, Meta’s new social media platform, beating even the platform’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg. To celebrate this milestone, MrBeast did what he does best – gifted a random fan a Tesla electric car.
At 25, MrBeast is the mastermind behind a swiftly expanding empire, marked by daring and attention-grabbing stunts, extravagant cash giveaways, and philanthropic activities, such as sponsoring surgeries to help 1,000 blind individuals regain their sight.
“I just want to make better videos. I don’t care about making money. I just want to make the best videos on the planet,” Donaldson shares.
Recreating ‘Squid Game’ and Tying Up FBI Agents
Most of MrBeast’s action-packed videos begin with Donaldson delivering a brief explanation of the context in the first few seconds before diving into a series of increasingly expensive and captivating challenges, pranks, and high-paced dares.
Surrounded by a group of casually dressed friends, all sporting jeans, T-shirts, and hoodies, Donaldson’s scruffy beard and visibly enthusiastic demeanor set him apart from the crew.
In a video from last year, he tied an FBI agent to a chair, handed him a knife, and offered $100,000 if the agent could capture him before midnight. What ensued was a wild chase involving mazes, disguises, and a getaway by private plane.
Sara Fischer, a media reporter at Axios, suggests that Donaldson’s authenticity and relatability contribute to the appeal of MrBeast’s videos. “He doesn’t wear a suit; he wears everyday clothes. It’s him just hanging out with his friends,” Fischer notes.
In one video, Donaldson visits luxurious hotels worldwide, including one where the nightly rental cost a staggering $1 million. “It’s an interesting way of showing things because he helps viewers see things they would never see in real life. Who gets to stay in a million-dollar hotel?” Fischer remarks.
While some videos showcase opulent displays of wealth, like flying with the world’s most expensive ticket, recent videos depict MrBeast and his crew cruising on massive yachts with comedian Pete Davidson and NFL star Tom Brady.
Despite increasing fame and wealth, MrBeast and his friends maintain an air of surprise and enthusiasm in all their adventures—no arrogance or entitlement, making him remarkably approachable.
Last year, MrBeast witnessed a surge in subscribers after orchestrating a real-life version of “Squid Game,” the popular Netflix TV show, where desperate participants compete in deadly contests for a chance to win a large cash prize. However, unlike the original, no one perished in MrBeast’s version. The video garnered an astounding 460 million views.
As his fame escalates, so does the budget MrBeast allocates to his videos. In a recent clip, he rammed a large train into a massive pit, revealing he spends $1 million per week on his content.
In a January video titled “1,000 Blind People See for the First Time,” Donaldson stands alongside doctors, committing to fund surgeries to cure blindness amidst thunderous applause. As patients emerge from the cataract surgeries, he presents them with suitcases full of cash.
“This is $10,000 to make your life better,” he says to an emotionally moved woman.
While some criticize Donaldson for exploiting vulnerable individuals for video content and sponsorship money, Vince Miller, a lecturer in cultural and social studies at Kent University in the UK, argues that Donaldson is innovative in utilizing the revenue-sharing model from YouTube to support charitable activities.
Donaldson simply wants viewers to enjoy his videos and be entertained, rather than solicit their time or money.
