Recently, Ava Kris Tyson came under fire for forming a relationship with a minor online that began when the minor was 13 and Tyson was 20.
This week, Ava Kris Tyson, a longtime associate and collaborator of popular YouTuber Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast, revealed her departure from the channel following accusations of “grooming” by online commentators.
Tyson was a frequent presence on the MrBeast channel, which is renowned for its extravagant challenges, substantial giveaways, and high-budget comparison videos. With 305 million subscribers, MrBeast’s channel holds the title of the most subscribed-to on YouTube.
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As a transgender woman, Tyson has faced previous attacks on her identity, with Donaldson consistently defending her. Recently, however, Tyson came under fire for forming a relationship with a minor online that began when the minor was 13 and Tyson was 20. The controversy erupted after a June video, analyzing interactions between Tyson and the minor, who goes by the online alias LavaGS, gained significant attention on YouTube.
Scrutiny intensified as online commentators examined public posts between Tyson and LavaGS on X and Discord, some of which referenced nude photos, sexual content, and hentai (anime pornography).
Social media users viewed these posts as evidence of “grooming,” defined by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children as the process of building a relationship, trust, and emotional connection with a minor to manipulate, exploit, and abuse them. The term “groomer” has been increasingly used as a weapon against the LGBTQ community in recent years.
In a statement on X announcing her exit, Tyson refuted the grooming allegations but offered an apology 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 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.”
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LavaGS, now 20, also addressed the grooming claims on X, defending Tyson. “These videos are full of lies and distortions,” he said. “Ava never did anything wrong and only made some edgy jokes. I was never exploited or taken advantage of.”
He further clarified that “Kris’s messages to me were in public Discord servers/groups, but people are portraying it as if it was one-on-one.”
Tyson issued an apology on X for making “unacceptable social media posts” and directed followers to LavaGS’s denials of the grooming claims. “To combine these factors to suggest that my behavior went beyond bad edgy jokes is repugnant and untrue,” she posted. “I have learned over the years that my old humor is unacceptable. I cannot change my past, but I can continue to work on myself.”
Despite these statements, many online users felt that Tyson’s sexually suggestive interactions with a minor were not just “edgy jokes.” They argued that it is inappropriate for adult content creators to engage in explicit conversations with minor fans due to the inherent power imbalance.
Ava Kris Tyson has faced misgendering and anti-LGBTQ harassment amid the backlash over her inappropriate posts. Similarly, LavaGS has been met with skepticism and accusations of being “paid off” to support Tyson.
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Jimmy Donaldson has not commented publicly on Tyson’s departure or the allegations.