MrBeast Shocks Fans, Calls Taking Photos with Fans a ‘Death Sentence’

For Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast, stepping out in public isn’t a casual outing—it’s a carefully planned operation. The YouTube star recently spoke on Steve-O’s Wild Ride! Podcast about why he must control every fan interaction, especially when it comes to taking photos. According to Donaldson, letting a fan hold the phone during a photo is a recipe for chaos.

“If someone asks you for a photo and you go yes and then you let them hand the phone to their mom, you’re cooked,” he told Steve-O. “It’s like a f**** flare in the middle of Walmart for everyone to start lining up, just ruining our trip.”

With hundreds of millions of subscribers across his channels, Donaldson explained that even a small delay can lead to lines of fans forming. “You have to understand, it’s a death sentence if it’s not quick because, again, when you take photos in public, it causes everyone to turn and look, and lines form, and then it just gets bad because once a line forms, people just want a photo because other people are getting a photo,” he said.

He shared that the consequences of this kind of attention can be serious for nearby businesses. “I’ve literally been kicked out of a Walmart because of it,” he admitted.

Donaldson made it clear that his strict rules for fan interactions aren’t about being rude, they are about safety and efficiency. “We like our fans and we’re not pieces of s*** it’s just a factual thing,” he explained. “If we don’t take it quick enough, things just go bad and it’s something that’s very hard to understand, but you’ve just got to take our words for it.”

To manage the crowds, Donaldson developed a fast system for photos. By holding the phone himself, he can snap a picture instantly and keep things moving. He has taken between 2,000 and 4,000 photos in a single day using this method. “It really makes a difference because then those people leave and they’re like, ‘Holy s***, that was a really cool experience,’ as opposed to just like, ‘Oh, it was whatever,’” he said.

MrBeast is the most-subscribed individual creator on YouTube, known for elaborate stunts, massive giveaways, and viral challenges. He first became famous with videos like counting to 100,000 and giving thousands of dollars to random streamers. Since then, his content has grown into television-quality productions that draw millions of views per video.

Donaldson has expanded beyond YouTube into business and philanthropy. He launched Feastables, a chocolate and snack brand that has become a serious competitor on store shelves. He also founded Beast Philanthropy, a nonprofit food pantry and humanitarian aid organization.

Through this channel, he funds projects like building wells in Africa, paying for cataract surgeries, and providing supplies to those in need. All revenue goes back into the charity to fund further initiatives.

Even with all this attention, Donaldson remains mindful of his fans and the need to protect them, himself, and the spaces he visits. His candid comments show that meeting fans isn’t always fun—it’s a logistical challenge that requires control and planning.

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