Tue Jan 13 03:20:00 UTC 2026: ### Albany Grad Competes for Millions in MrBeast’s “Beast Games” Amidst Controversy

The Story:
Jack McKenna, a recent graduate of Christian Brothers Academy in Albany, has been selected as one of 200 contestants to compete for a $5 million prize in the second season of MrBeast’s reality series, “Beast Games.” The show, which premiered on Amazon Prime Video, pits contestants against each other in “Squid Game”-inspired challenges testing both intelligence and physical prowess. McKenna, categorized as one of the 100 “smartest” players, quit his summer internship to participate in the competition, which was filmed in North Carolina.

The series, while popular, has also faced controversy. Season 1 was met with a class-action lawsuit from anonymous contestants alleging sexual harassment, lack of medical care and food, unpaid expenses, and widespread mistreatment. The lawsuit is still ongoing.

Key Points:

  • Jack McKenna, an Albany graduate, is competing in “Beast Games” Season 2.
  • “Beast Games” is an Amazon Prime Video reality series created by Jimmy “MrBeast” Donaldson.
  • The competition involves 200 contestants vying for a $5 million prize.
  • The show is inspired by “Squid Game” but without the violence.
  • Season 1 faced a class-action lawsuit alleging mistreatment of contestants.
  • The show was filmed in “Beast City” in North Carolina.
  • Over 400,000 people applied to be on the show.

Key Takeaways:

  • MrBeast’s “Beast Games” continues to draw significant attention and participation despite facing legal challenges related to contestant treatment in its first season.
  • The show highlights the growing popularity of reality competitions with large cash prizes.
  • Platforms like Amazon Prime Video are investing heavily in high-budget, attention-grabbing content to attract viewers.

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