Ava Kris Tyson, one of YouTube star MrBeast’s friends and collaborators, has quit the channel after grooming allegations, which she denies.
The YouTuber, 28, was accused earlier this month of sending inappropriate messages to a minor, reportedly a 13-year-old, while she was aged 20.
Tyson, who has denied the allegations, announced she had “mutually decided it’s best I permanently step away from all things MrBeast and social media to focus on my family and mental health”.
“I would like to apologise for any of my past behaviour or comments if it hurt or offended anyone. It was not my intent,” she said.
Tyson added: “I never groomed anyone. The person who gets brought up in these accusations has vocally supported that they are false.
“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.
“To lump these two factors together to create a narrative that my behaviour extended beyond bad edgy jokes is disgusting and did not happen.
“In past years, I have learned that my old humour is not acceptable. I cannot change who I was, but I can continue to work on myself.
“I don’t want these accusations to impact the hundreds of people who work at MrBeast, which is why I have stepped away.”
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The allegations first emerged in a YouTube video last month.
The alleged victim, who was named online, said videos claiming Tyson groomed him “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,” he added.
“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.”
In 2023, Tyson shared she was transgender and had started taking gender-affirming hormone therapy. She has regularly received transphobic abuse online.
MrBeast, real name Jimmy Donaldson, has not commented on the allegations.