MrBeast's media company has been sued by a former employee over claims of sexual harassment and workplace gender bias. The 27-year-old, real name Jimmy Donaldson, is the world's most-followed YouTuber and employs more than 500 people. Lorrayne Mavromatis, a former executive who worked for his company Beast Industries between 2022 and 2025, alleged harassment of women employees was condoned and complaints were not taken seriously at the business.
A representative for Beast Industries described the allegations as categorically false in a response to BBC Newsbeat. Mavromatis first joined the company as its head of Instagram before being promoted. In court documents she claims she was sacked from her role after complaining about a workplace that suffered from a lack of basic employment protections.
The lawsuit states that sexual harassment of other female employees was both condoned and/or perpetuated by their supervisors, adding she was also treated differently than her male counterpart. Mavromatis asserts that when she complained about the hostile environment that she and other women were experiencing, her claims were labeled as unsubstantiated.
In one example, Mavromatis recounts an interaction with former Beast Industries CEO James Warren, who allegedly told her that her appearance had a certain sexual effect on MrBeast, leading to her feeling undermined. This culminated in Mavromatis being demoted and transferred to an obscure role previously dubbed as the division where careers go to die.
The complaint further claims she was fired shortly after returning from pregnancy-related leave, under the pretense that she was too high-calibre for the job. Mavromatis has stated she has suffered mental anguish, humiliation, embarrassment, and is seeking damages including lost wages and reinstatement.
A representative from Beast Industries dismissed the claims as a “clout-chasing complaint,” asserting they have substantial evidence to counter Mavromatis' allegations, including messages and documents that refute her statements. They emphasized that they would not yield to those attempting to exploit the situation for financial gain. MrBeast has encountered legal issues before, including allegations of exploitation related to his reality show, Beast Games, which he denied, claiming they were exaggerated.
A representative for Beast Industries described the allegations as categorically false in a response to BBC Newsbeat. Mavromatis first joined the company as its head of Instagram before being promoted. In court documents she claims she was sacked from her role after complaining about a workplace that suffered from a lack of basic employment protections.
The lawsuit states that sexual harassment of other female employees was both condoned and/or perpetuated by their supervisors, adding she was also treated differently than her male counterpart. Mavromatis asserts that when she complained about the hostile environment that she and other women were experiencing, her claims were labeled as unsubstantiated.
In one example, Mavromatis recounts an interaction with former Beast Industries CEO James Warren, who allegedly told her that her appearance had a certain sexual effect on MrBeast, leading to her feeling undermined. This culminated in Mavromatis being demoted and transferred to an obscure role previously dubbed as the division where careers go to die.
The complaint further claims she was fired shortly after returning from pregnancy-related leave, under the pretense that she was too high-calibre for the job. Mavromatis has stated she has suffered mental anguish, humiliation, embarrassment, and is seeking damages including lost wages and reinstatement.
A representative from Beast Industries dismissed the claims as a “clout-chasing complaint,” asserting they have substantial evidence to counter Mavromatis' allegations, including messages and documents that refute her statements. They emphasized that they would not yield to those attempting to exploit the situation for financial gain. MrBeast has encountered legal issues before, including allegations of exploitation related to his reality show, Beast Games, which he denied, claiming they were exaggerated.
