YouTuber MrBeast’s co-host Ava Kris Tyson quits channel amid claims she groomed a minor
Ava Kris Tyson has quit her role as co-host of the popular MrBeast YouTube channel amid allegations that she groomed a minor.
“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 said in a statement shared via X on 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.”
According to the BBC, allegations that Tyson, 28, sent “inappropriate messages” to a 13-year-old when she was 20 surfaced last month.
However, the alleged minor, who goes by @LavaGS on X, defended Tyson on the social media platform on Monday by saying the allegations 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,” the X user doubled down.
“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.”
After some backlash, the alleged victim took to X once more to confirm they would not be “backpedaling any statements.”
“Everything i have stated is still very true. Nothing bad happened between me and Kris, people are creating lies around my name,” the individual reassured fans.
Following the announcement that she was leaving MrBeast, which is run by Jimmy Donaldson, Tyson also claimed she “never groomed” anyone.
“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 continued on X.
She admitted, however, that she has learned her “old humor” is not acceptable.
“I cannot change who I was, but I can continue to work on myself,” Tyson noted.
Tyson and Donaldson did not immediately respond to Page Six’s requests for comment.
Tyson has been collaborating with Donaldson on his wildly successful YouTube channel — which boasts 305 million subscribers — ever since it launched in 2012.
The channel is known for over-the-top pranks, challenges and lavish giveaways.
In April 2023, Tyson revealed she began taking hormone replacement therapy and would go by she/her pronouns.
When Donaldson noticed an onslaught of transphobic comments following Tyson’s news, he immediately took to X to defend her.
