Jimmy “MrBeast” Donaldson, the world’s most popular YouTuber, is expanding his empire with Beast Games, a show inspired by Netflix’s Squid Game and his own most popular video, “$456,000 Squid Game in Real Life!” The competition involves 1,000 contestants vying for a $5 million prize.

The show, bankrolled by Amazon, aims to replicate Squid Game’s intense competition without the deadly stakes. However, participants have reported poor conditions and injuries. Over a dozen contestants, speaking anonymously due to NDAs, described inadequate food, poor medical care, and unsafe conditions.

The initial phase of Beast Games, filmed at Allegiant Stadium in Nevada, whittled down 2,000 contestants to 1,000. Participants claimed they were only fed twice a day and witnessed others vomiting, passing out, and being taken to the hospital. Contestants had to surrender their belongings, including phones and medications, leading to delays in receiving necessary medical supplies.

A diabetic contestant received insulin hours late, and another was denied food needed for her medication. Some participants went without their packed underwear for days, and menstruating women were told their requests for underwear were not a medical emergency.

A MrBeast spokesperson cited logistical issues, extreme weather, and the CrowdStrike incident for the problems, and promised a review to improve future events. Amazon did not comment.

Participants were also misled about the number of contestants, expecting 1,000 but finding 2,000 upon arrival. Food was scarce, with one contestant going 20 hours without eating. Meals included oatmeal, a hard-boiled egg, and raw vegetables, and MrBeast’s Feastables snack bars were occasionally distributed.

The first elimination event involved teams of 400 pulling 10,000-pound weights, leading to chaos and injuries. Those who passed received toiletries and sleeping bags to sleep on the stadium floor. The 1,000 remaining contestants will proceed to the next stage in Canada.

Beast Games began with MrBeast emerging onto a platform above $5 million in cash, flanked by guards in face masks. Contestants were instructed to cheer wildly for him. “We’re all just looking up at the sky,” recalled one participant, “screaming at him like he’s god.”