MrBeast 'disgusted' by grooming allegations aimed at channel co-host, removes her from 'any association with MrBeast' and hires investigators to look into the claims

The world's most popular YouTuber, Jimmy «MrBeast» Donaldson, says he's «disgusted» by allegations made about the channel's longtime co-host Ava Tyson grooming a teenager online. Donaldson said in a statement that he's commissioned an independent investigation to get to the facts, but has already «seen enough online and taken immediate action to remove Ava from the company, my channel, and any association with MrBeast.»

Ava Tyson has worked on MrBeast's channel from the very beginning in 2012, but in recent weeks allegations began to surface about her interactions with a young competition winner. The individual was 13 years old at the time, and Tyson ran a Discord server with them and interacted on social media. The core allegations centre around screencaps of inappropriate messages Tyson allegedly sent to the minor, some of a sexual nature.

Tyson addressed the allegations by saying she'd «never groomed anyone» and that to suggest «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.»

The individual involved has been named online, and is now 20 years old, and sprung to Tyson's defence. «These videos 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,» they wrote on X. «I am not a victim of anything being claimed in these videos or at all.»

The 28 year-old Tyson nevertheless said she and Donaldson had «mutually agreed» she should quit, though Donaldson's subsequent statement suggests the decision was more one-sided. Donaldson also begins with the claim he's only known about the allegations for a few days.

«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,» says Donaldson. «During that time, I have been