YouTube star MrBeast responds as co-host Ava Kris Tyson denies grooming claims

YouTube star MrBeast has responded to grooming allegations against his friend and collaborator Ava Kris Tyson.

Tyson, 28, has denied allegations made earlier this month of sending inappropriate messages to a minor, reportedly a 13-year-old, when she was aged 20.

She announced on Tuesday she had “mutually decided it’s best I permanently step away from all things MrBeast and social media to focus on my family and mental health”.

MrBeast, real name Jimmy Donaldson, addressed the allegations in a post on X on Thursday.

“Over the last few days, I’ve become aware of the serious allegations of Ava Tyson’s behaviour online and I am disgusted and opposed to such unacceptable acts,” he wrote.

“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.

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“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.

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

Tyson’s statement earlier this week read: “I would like to apologise for any of my past behaviour or comments if it hurt or offended anyone. It was not my intent.”

She added: “I never groomed anyone. The person who gets brought up in these accusations has vocally supported that they are false.

“Having said that, 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.

“To lump these two factors together to create a narrative that my behaviour extended beyond bad edgy jokes is disgusting and did not happen.

“In past years, I have learned that my old humour is not acceptable. I cannot change who I was, but I can continue to work on myself.

“I don’t want these accusations to impact the hundreds of people who work at MrBeast, which is why I have stepped away.”

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The allegations first emerged in a YouTube video last month.

The alleged victim said videos claiming Tyson groomed him “are massive lies and twisting the truth”.

“Ava never did anything wrong, and just made a few edgy jokes. I was never exploited or taken advantage of,” he added.

“This situation takes away from children who are actively being exploited everyday online. I am not a victim of anything being claimed in these videos or at all.”

In 2023, Tyson shared she was transgender and had started taking gender-affirming hormone therapy. She has regularly received transphobic abuse online.

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