Who is Ava Tyson, YouTuber MrBeast’s childhood friend, and what are the accusations against her? Tyson’s appeared in his videos since 2015, but has now quit following claims of her ‘grooming’ a fan

Ava Tyson, well-known to Donaldson’s audience as a childhood friend, has appeared in his videos since 2015.

Tyson has been accused by several YouTubers of messaging a young fan when he was 13 and Tyson was 20.

In response, Donaldson said he was investigating the claims.

We asked Donaldson and Tyson for further comment but did not receive a response.

Ava Tyson is a YouTuber and social media personality

Ava Kris Tyson is an American YouTuber and social media personality best known for appearing alongside Donaldson in his viral videos.

Tyson, 28, is a trans woman who medically transitioned in 2023. Donaldson has consistently shut down transphobic comments aimed at her and her family.

Ava Tyson has a son

Tyson was married to ex-wife Katie Tyson from 2018 to 2022. The couple welcomed their son Tucker Tyson in 2020 and publicly announced their separation in 2023.

Although not confirmed, it is speculated that the couple separated due to Tyson’s transition.

Allegations of inappropriate behaviour

A video by the creator Adrox, posted on July 16, gained over a million views and generated a wave of interest in Tyson’s past.

The interest also shed new light on two videos posted by a creator called Prism42 about a month ago, who went into specific allegations about Tyson’s relationship with a young fan.

Prism42 said Tyson made sexual comments during an online friendship with this child.

They also accused Tyson of interacting with an artist called Shadman, who drew sexualised pictures of young girls.

After more YouTubers, including Acheeto and MorePegasus, made videos about the claims, Tyson said she would halt working with Donaldson and the MrBeast team.

“I would like to apologise for any of my past behaviour or comments if it hurt or offended anyone,” Tyson wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on July 23.

She didn’t give specifics of what the behaviour or comments were.

“It was not my intent,” Tyson wrote. “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.”

Tyson added that she “never groomed anyone” and claimed any accusations were 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,” she said.

The victim has denied being groomed

The fan in question, known by their online username LavaGS, is now 20. They denied that Tyson groomed them, referring in a series of X posts to the allegations as “massive lies”.

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

Mr Beast is investigating the case

Donaldson posted a statement on the night of July 24, saying he was “disgusted and opposed” to Tyson’s behaviour and had hired a third-party investigator.

“That said, I’ve seen enough online and taken immediate action to remove Ava from the company, my channel, and any association with MrBeast,” he said. “I do not condone or support any of the inappropriate actions.”

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

In an update on July 31, Donaldson later acknowledged using “inappropriate language” in the past, with his spokesperson telling Associated Press, “When Jimmy was a teenager, he acted like many kids and used inappropriate language while trying to be funny. Over the years he has repeatedly apologised and has learned that increasing influence comes with increased responsibility to be more aware and more sensitive to the power of language.

“After making some bad jokes and other mistakes when he was younger, as an adult he has focused on engaging with the MrBeast community to work together on making a positive impact around the world.”

YouTuber-fan boundaries

Other top YouTubers have voiced concerns about the relationship and argued that interacting with underage fans in this way is wrong.

When YouTubers were a newer kind of celebrity, some crossed boundaries with fans. Infamously, Colleen Ballinger, known for her Miranda Sings character, faced allegations of grooming her young fan base.

In response, she posted a widely condemned 10-minute musical apology, playing the ukulele.

Katya Varbanova, a social media consultant and the CEO of Viral Marketing Stars, said that with any further statements, Donaldson should avoid making the same mistakes.

“Ever since Miranda Sings and Ukulele Gate, the general public doesn’t take grooming allegations of minors lightly,” she said.