Latest news with #Mayan-approved
First Post
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- First Post
Mexico Demands Compensation from YouTuber MrBeast Over Temple Visit Videos Firstpost America
Mexico Demands Compensation from YouTuber MrBeast Over Temple Visit Videos | Firstpost America |N18G Mexico Demands Compensation from YouTuber MrBeast Over Temple Visit Videos | Firstpost America | N18G The Mexican government has demanded compensation and a public retraction from American YouTuber MrBeast's production company, Full Circle Media, alleging the unauthorised commercial use of images from ancient archaeological sites in a recent video. The controversy stems from a video titled "I Explored 2000-Year-Old Ancient Temples," which has garnered approximately 60 million views on MrBeast's YouTube channel since its upload last week. In the video, the popular influencer explores significant Mayan sites in southeastern Mexico, including Calakmul and Chichen Itza. However, it was his on-screen promotion of his own brand of snacks, which he dubbed "Mayan-approved," that triggered an official complaint from Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH). Adding to the controversy, a comment made by MrBeast in the video – "I can't believe the government's letting us do this" after entering a pyramid – sparked criticism from numerous viewers. Many Mexicans expressed outrage, alleging that the YouTuber was granted access to areas typically restricted to local citizens. Watch this video to know more. See More
ABC News
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- ABC News
MrBeast Youtuber James Donaldson denies wrongdoing over Mayan ruins video
YouTuber MrBeast has denied he violated Mexican government permits while filming a video at an ancient archaeological site. James Donaldson, who boasts more than 300 million subscribers on YouTube, posted a video last week that showed him and several friends touring the inside of the ruins, visiting an archaeological site after dark and climbing up a Mayan pyramid. Chichén Itzá is a complex of Mayan ruins on the Yucatán Peninsula and is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Visitors are welcome to view the site but are not to climb the pyramids or visit after nightfall. "I can't believe the government is letting us do this," Donaldson says at one point during the video. "Nobody gets to go where we're going." Shortly after the video was released, Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History released a statement saying that a production company that worked with Donaldson violated the terms of the agreement by monetising the video. INAH said it was lodging the suit against the firm called Full Circle Media. "The permission granted to Full Circle Media … did not authorise … the use of images of the archaeological site for for-profit advertisements of private brands," INAH said. The video shows Donaldson displaying one of his brand's chocolate bars and calling it the "only Mayan-approved snack on the planet". When asked about the incident, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she wanted a report about what happened. "The information is that he had permission from the INAH, and now we need the INAH to tell us under what conditions this permission was granted," she said. "And if the permission was violated, then what sanctions will be imposed." Mexican Culture Secretary Claudia Curiel said Donaldson was authorised to publish "false information or use images of heritage sites for commercial advertising". But the YouTuber denied this was in violation of his agreement with the INAH. In a statement posted to his X account, Donaldson said he wanted to "clear some false things being said". "Me and my team have great respect for the Mexican and Mayan culture and people," it said. "We did this video to get people all over the world excited to learn more about their culture, much like we did with our Pyramids video". He said he and his team filmed with full permits, followed guidelines and had representatives from government agencies following them as well as archaeologists to make sure the information they were sharing was accurate. "They were aware of us mentioning Feastables in the video but for respect of the sites, it was filmed off site from any national monuments. "The dinner scene where I made the Feastables joke was not near any Mayan temples." Lauda Sansores, the governor of Mexico's Campeche State, took to social media to thank Donaldson for visiting. Mr Donaldson referred to her comments in his statement, saying: "This video represents enormous publicity for the state, more than 56 million views in just four days." The video shows high production with audio and video editing and it is unclear how much of it was actually shot at the historical site. Later in a supplementary statement provided to The New York Times, the INAH appeared to soften its stance on the matter. "Despite the distorted information provided by the YouTuber, the dissemination of this type of material may motivate young audiences in Mexico and around the world to learn about our ancestral cultures and visit archaeological sites."
Business Insider
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Insider
MrBeast's new video has drawn scrutiny from the Mexican government — and even the president. Here's what's going on.
Earlier this week, the YouTube star — whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson — posted a video exploring several ancient Mayan temples, including Chichen Itza. "Can't believe the government's letting us do this," the 27-year-old says in the video, after which he reiterates in a voiceover, "Not even archaeologists are allowed to go back here." In the description of the video, which has 60 million views and counting, Donaldson wrote that the video was filmed "in collaboration with the Mexican Tourism Board," and he thanked the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), a government agency that works to preserve Mexico's cultural heritage. CNN reported there was initially controversy around Donaldson's access to the sites. On Monday, the INAH said in a statement that the necessary permits had been processed and that INAH personnel were supervising the recordings at all times. The INAH added that the video seemed to involve extensive post-production work and allude to events that never occurred, including a helicopter descent onto one of the temples and the handling of an ancient mask. On Wednesday, Sheinbaum spoke publicly about the video. CNN reported that she asked the INAH to report the conditions under which the production permit had been granted. If the permit was violated, she added, then sanctions must be determined. 'It is unfortunate that this has turned into a political issue' On Thursday, the INAH said in a thread on X that it was bringing a lawsuit against a production company called Full Circle Media that worked with Donaldson on the video. Donaldson himself isn't facing any legal action. The thread alludes to a moment near the end of the video, when Donaldson is enjoying a traditional Mayan feast. After dinner, he brings out a box of Feastables peanut butter cups for dessert, joking that it's the "only Mayan-approved snack on the planet." The INAH on X said that while it is open to collaboration to disseminate Mexico's cultural heritage, it condemned those who detract from the value of archaeological sites for commercial gain. It said the permit granted to Full Circle Media did not authorize the publication of false information or the use of the sites for advertising. The INAH is demanding compensation for damages and a public retraction. Full Circle Media didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. "This video, similar to the one of the pyramids in Egypt, was meant to highlight these treasured Mexican sites," a source close to MrBeast told Business Insider. "No advertisement material was shot on any archaeological sites overseen by INAH, so it is unfortunate that this has turned into a political issue — hopefully it can lead to a productive dialogue and encourage people to visit these unique historical treasures."
Business Insider
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Insider
MrBeast's new video has drawn scrutiny from the Mexican government — and even the president. Here's what's going on.
MrBeast 's latest video has captured the attention of the Mexican government, and even President Claudia Sheinbaum has weighed in. Earlier this week, the YouTube star — whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson — posted a video exploring several ancient Mayan temples, including Chichen Itza. "Can't believe the government's letting us do this," the 27-year-old says in the video, after which he reiterates in a voiceover, "Not even archaeologists are allowed to go back here." In the description of the video, which has 60 million views and counting, Donaldson wrote that the video was filmed "in collaboration with the Mexican Tourism Board," and he thanked the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), a government agency that works to preserve Mexico's cultural heritage. CNN reported there was initially controversy around Donaldson's access to the sites. On Monday, the INAH said in a statement that the necessary permits had been processed and that INAH personnel were supervising the recordings at all times. The INAH added that the video seemed to involve extensive post-production work and allude to events that never occurred, including a helicopter descent onto one of the temples and the handling of an ancient mask. On Wednesday, Sheinbaum spoke publicly about the video. CNN reported that she asked the INAH to report the conditions under which the production permit had been granted. If the permit was violated, she added, then sanctions must be determined. 'It is unfortunate that this has turned into a political issue' On Thursday, the INAH said in a thread on X that it was bringing a lawsuit against a production company called Full Circle Media that worked with Donaldson on the video. Donaldson himself isn't facing any legal action. The thread alludes to a moment near the end of the video, when Donaldson is enjoying a traditional Mayan feast. After dinner, he brings out a box of Feastables peanut butter cups for dessert, joking that it's the "only Mayan-approved snack on the planet." The INAH on X said that while it is open to collaboration to disseminate Mexico's cultural heritage, it condemned those who detract from the value of archaeological sites for commercial gain. It said the permit granted to Full Circle Media did not authorize the publication of false information or the use of the sites for advertising. The INAH is demanding compensation for damages and a public retraction. Full Circle Media didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. "This video, similar to the one of the pyramids in Egypt, was meant to highlight these treasured Mexican sites," a source close to MrBeast told Business Insider. "No advertisement material was shot on any archaeological sites overseen by INAH, so it is unfortunate that this has turned into a political issue — hopefully it can lead to a productive dialogue and encourage people to visit these unique historical treasures."
Iraqi News
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Iraqi News
YouTube star MrBeast upsets Mexican officials with temple videos
Mexico City – Mexico is seeking compensation from YouTube celebrity MrBeast's production company, accusing it of using images of the country's ancient archaeological sites to advertise a chocolate brand. A video of the social media star visiting Mayan ruins has been viewed around 60 million times since May 10 on YouTube, where he has 395 million subscribers. In the video, titled 'I Explored 2000 Year Old Ancient Temples,' the influencer explores the ancient Mayan cities including Calakmul and Chichen Itza in southeastern Mexico. 'I can't believe the government's letting us do this,' he said after entering a pyramid, prompting criticism from several users who complained that MrBeast had access to areas restricted to Mexicans. On Wednesday, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum requested clarification on the conditions under which the YouTuber was granted access. In the video, the celebrity also advertises his own brand snacks, calling them 'Mayan-approved,' prompting an official complaint from the National Institute of Archaeology and History. While Mexico is 'pleased that YouTubers and all the world's young people appreciate the value of our indigenous civilizations,' it 'strongly condemns those who take advantage,' the institute wrote in a social media post. The permit issued to production company Full Circle Media did not authorize 'the use of the image of the archaeological sites for the advertising of commercial brands for private profit,' it added. Mexico is 'demanding compensation for damages and a public retraction, due to noncompliance with the terms,' it said. In Merida, the capital of Yucatan state where Chichen Itza is located, several residents expressed their disapproval of the access given to the YouTuber. 'Restrictions and regulations should apply to everyone: domestic tourists, foreign visitors, as well as us locals,' said tour guide Jose Elias Aguayo, 53.
