The company behind MrBeast, the world’s biggest YouTube channel, has denied claims of sexual harassment in a lawsuit filed by a former employee.
Social media exec Lorrayne Mavromatis has alleged that she was harassed by former Beast Industries CEO James Warren, then demoted and ultimately fired after returning from maternity leave after complaining about his behaviour.
According to a report on the lawsuit by the Los Angeles Times, Mavromatis claims she was forced to meet Warren at his house for private, one-on-one meetings where she was told she was a “beautiful woman” and should be grateful she had been hit on by an unnamed male client.
Mavromatis did not work directly with MrBeast, real name James “Jimmy” Donaldson, but was told this was by design — as “her appearance had a certain sexual effect on Jimmy.” She alleges she was told: “Let’s just say that when you’re around and he goes to the restroom, he’s not actually using the restroom.”
Beast Industries has strongly denied Mavromatis’ claims, which a spokesperson has categorized as “ridiculous” and “fabricated for the sole purpose of sparking headlines.”
“This clout-chasing complaint is built on deliberate misrepresentations and categorically false statements, and we have the receipts to prove it,” said Gaude Paez, a Beast Industries spokesperson. “There is extensive evidence — including Slack and WhatsApp messages, company documents, and witness testimony — that unequivocally refutes her claims. We will not submit to opportunistic lawyers looking to manufacture a payday from us.”
Beast Industries is now worth an estimated $5 billion, and employs around 500 staff. Alongside the MrBeast YouTube channel, which currently has 479 million subscribers, the company produces the popular Beast Games series for Prime Video.
Other claims by Mavromatis include that she was unfairly excluded from meetings in the “male-centric workplace” and “demeaned in front of colleagues,” including by being told to “shut up” during team chats. She also claims that female Beast Games participants were mocked for complaining about a lack of feminine hygiene products during production.
Mavromatis says she previously lodged a complaint in November 2023 to the company’s then-HR boss Sue Parisher — who she says was Donaldson’s mother. At the time, Mavromatis says the company’s employee handbook, “How to Succeed In MrBeast Production,” included advice such as, “It’s okay for the boys to be childish,” “If talent wants to draw a dick on the white board in the video or do something stupid, let them,” and, “No does not mean no.”
In November 2024, MrBeast responded to allegations that his then upcoming Amazon reality TV series “shamelessly exploited” its contestants, insisting he had the footage to show they were “blown out of proportion.”
Image credit: Jemal Countess/Getty Images for TIME.
Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at [email protected] or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social
