Ava Kris Tyson, a longtime friend and collaborator of YouTube star Jimmy Donaldson (better known as MrBeast), announced this week that she is leaving the channel after online commentators accused her of “grooming.”
Tyson regularly appeared on the MrBeast channel, which features outrageous challenges, elaborate giveaways and high-spending comparison videos. Donaldson has 305 million YouTube subscribers, making his channel the most subscribed-to on the platform.
Tyson, who is a transgender woman, has been subjected to attacks against her identity in the past, and Donaldson has defended her.
Recently, Tyson was criticized for developing a relationship with a minor online beginning when the person was 13 and Tyson was 20. The controversy began after a video in June analyzing online interactions between Tyson and the minor, who goes by LavaGS online, gained traction on YouTube this week.
More online commentators began scrutinizing public posts between Tyson and LavaGS on X and Discord, including some referring to nude photos, sex and hentai, meaning anime pornography. NBC News was unable to independently verify the posts, which appeared to have been taken down as of Wednesday afternoon.
Social media users appeared to believe the posts were evidence of “grooming,” which the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children defines as building “a relationship, trust and emotional connection with a child or young person so they can manipulate, exploit and abuse them.” Conservatives have weaponized the word “groomer” against the LGBTQ community online in recent years.
In a post on X announcing her departure, Tyson denied the grooming allegations but apologized to her followers.
“I would like to apologize for any of my past behavior or comments if it hurt or offended anyone. It was not my intent,” she wrote Tuesday. “Seeing recent events we’ve mutually decided it’s best I permanently step away from all things MrBeast and social media to focus on my family and mental health.”
LavaGS, now 20, rebutted the grooming claims Monday on X.
“These videos are massive lies and twisting the truth,” he said. “Ava never did anything wrong and just made a few edgy jokes. I was never exploited or taken advantage of.”
He added that “Kris’s messages to me were sent in public discord servers/groups but everyone is framing it as if it was 1 on 1.”
A representative for Tyson did not immediately respond to a request for comment. LavaGS also did not immediately respond to a request for comment via X.
Tyson posted an apology on X for making “unacceptable social media posts” but directed people to LavaGS’ posts denying claims of grooming.
“To lump these two factors together to create a narrative that my behavior extended beyond bad edgy jokes is disgusting and did not happen,” she posted on X. “In past years, I have learned that my old humor is not acceptable. I cannot change who I was, but I can continue to work on myself.”
Despite the posts from Tyson and LavaGS, many online believed the sexual references in Tyson’s interactions with a minor should not be passed off as “edgy.” Some said it is inappropriate for adult content creators to engage in explicit conversations with their minor fans because there is a power imbalance.
Amid the criticism against her inappropriate posts, Tyson has received comments misgendering her, as well as anti-LGBTQ harassment. LavaGS has received comments doubting his account of his experience and accusing him of having been “paid off.”
Donaldson has not publicly commented on Tyson’s departure or the allegations. A representative for Donaldson did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday.
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