MrBeast Addresses Ava Kris Tyson Grooming Allegations

YouTube star MrBeast has addressed the grooming allegations made against his longtime collaborator Ava Kris Tyson, saying that he was “disgusted” by the claims and taken “immediate action to remove Ava from the company, my channel, and any association with MrBeast.”

MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, was responding to the weeks of pressure created by the allegations and Tyson’s future with his channel that built up on social media and from other content creators on YouTube. In a message posted to X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday, Donaldson said, “Over the last few days, I’ve become aware of the serious allegations of Ava Tyson’s behavior online and I am disgusted and opposed to such unacceptable acts.”

“During that time, I have been focused on hiring an independent third party to conduct a thorough investigation to ensure I have all the facts,” the post continued. “That said, I’ve seen enough online and taken immediate action to remove Ava from the company, my channel, and any association with MrBeast. I do not condone or support any of the inappropriate actions.”

Donaldson added, “I will allow the independent investigators the necessary time to conduct a comprehensive investigation and will take any further actions based on their findings.”

The grooming allegations against Tyson surfaced last month. A group of YouTubers accused Tyson of messaging a 13 year-old when she was 20. Users on X, Discord and YouTube began analyzing public messages between Tyson and the minor, who went by the username LavaGS, focusing on those messages that included reference to nude photos, sex and anime pornography.

Tyson denied claims of grooming and posted an apology on X on Wednesday. “I humbly apologise to anyone I have hurt with my unacceptable social media posts, past actions, and to those who may feel betrayed by how I used to act online,” Tyson wrote.

LavaGS also took to social media to defend Tyson, suggesting the past conversation between them was not grooming, rather “edgy jokes.”

Tyson, who is a transgender woman, has come under sustained harassment from some other Youtubers since she announced she was transitioning. Donaldson has previously defended Tyson against transphobic attacks.