The Beast Games winner speaks up about the controversy surrounding the show and reveals how contestants were actually treated.

Speculation and controversy have swirled around Beast Games, the reality competition series with a massive $10 million prize, conceived by YouTube superstar MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson), for months. The show, which drew global attention with its record-breaking prize and demanding physical and mental challenges, was later characterized by reports of supposed mistreatment of contestants, harsh conditions, and backstage woes.

Finally, for the first time since the show went on the air, the winner of the grand prize, Marcus Hill, is breaking his silence to tell the truth. In an exclusive interview, Hill reveals what actually went on behind the scenes, how participants were treated, and if the show lived up to its larger-than-life persona.

The Reality Behind the Show’s Intensity

Hill, who is 28 and a Texas fitness trainer, will concede that Beast Games was just as tough as it appeared to be on television. Players were tested physically and mentally with a series of increasing difficulties aimed at testing endurance, intellect, and cooperation. Was it too much, though?

There’s no sugarcoating it—this was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done,” Hill says. “But that’s what we signed up for. We weren’t expecting a luxury resort; we knew it was going to be tough. MrBeast made that very clear from the start.

Hill says the production team of the show saw to it that candidates were supplied with food, water, and medical help whenever they needed it. “It wasn’t some sort of dystopian survival experiment,” he explains. “There were difficult times, but no one was ever compelled to go on if they weren’t physically capable.”

Handling the Controversy

Some of the contestants in the weeks after the show was released alleged that the experience was overly brutal, with extended filming hours, little rest, and instances of severe fatigue. A number of the former players went on social media to label the conditions as “brutal” and “borderline inhumane.”

Hill admits that the competition was fierce but bristles at the idea that contestants were treated poorly. “I saw those posts, and I understand why people would say that—it was brutal,” he says. “But reality TV is always going to push people to their limits. They didn’t hide that from us. There were medics on standby, and if someone needed to tap out, they could.”

He also speculates that some of the criticism was due to disappointment, not wrongdoing. “When you put 2,000 people in a competition and only one wins, you’re going to have a lot of frustrated people,” he states. “It’s understandable, but that doesn’t mean the show was unfair.”

MrBeast’s Involvement

One of the largest questions about Beast Games has been whether MrBeast was directly involved. Although the YouTuber is well-known for being hands-on with his content, some detractors questioned whether he was hands-on during the production of the show.

Hill refutes these allegations, however. “Jimmy was around way more than people think,” he states. “He wasn’t some suit-wearing dude sitting way back observing—no, he was right there with us, making sure everything was going to go right. He cared about the contestants and wanted it to be an incredible experience.”

The Emotional Burden and the Greatest Challenge

When questioned about the most difficult aspect of the competition, Hill isn’t hesitated. “The isolation,” he responds. “You’re separated from everything—your family, your friends. You’re just stuck in this wild game with people you don’t even know, and each day you see more and more of them going home.

The most grueling challenge, in Hill’s opinion, wasn’t one of the physically demanding obstacle courses or endurance trials—it was the final mental showdown. “That last challenge? I’ve never felt stress like that in my life,” he admits. “It was all or nothing. One mistake, and that was it. The pressure was insane.”

Was It All Worth It?

For Hill, the answer is a resounding yes. “Winning Beast Games changed my life,” he says. “I went from worrying about bills to being able to take care of my family, invest in my future, and give back to my community. But beyond the money, it proved to me what I’m capable of.”

And as for doing it all over again? Hill chuckles. “Absolutely. But perhaps not immediately—I need a nap first.”

The Future of Beast Games

Despite the backlash, Beast Games was a huge hit, garnering millions of views and breaking all records for online reality shows. With whispers of season two already in the works, the question on everyone’s mind is—will MrBeast respond to the critics and make some adjustments, or will he double down on the extremism?

Hill, for instance, wishes the program would come back. “I’d love to have another season,” he says. “If anything, I think the controversy indicates how engaged people were. But if they do it again, they should perhaps give people fair warning: this is not for the faint of heart.

For the time being, Hill is relishing his triumph and anticipating life beyond Beast Games. But one thing can be sure—the show’s influence, for good or ill, is far from finished.