MrBeast Says He Would Have Paid Alex Honnold More Than $500,000 for Taipei 101 Climb
YouTube sensation Jimmy Donaldson, widely known as MrBeast, has made headlines by stating he would have offered rock climber Alex Honnold over $500,000 to perform his historic free solo ascent of Taipei 101 for his YouTube channel. This revelation comes after Honnold successfully scaled the 1,667-foot skyscraper in Taiwan on January 25 without any safety equipment, a feat that was broadcast live on Netflix.
Details of the Daring Ascent
Alex Honnold, renowned for his free solo climbing achievements, completed the climb of Taipei 101 in an impressive one hour and 32 minutes. The event, part of Netflix's Skyscraper Live series, showcased his extraordinary skill and bravery as he ascended the 508-meter building without harnesses, parachutes, or other protective gear. According to reports from The New York Times, Netflix paid Honnold approximately $500,000 for the climb, a sum the climber later described as "embarrassingly small" compared to earnings in major professional sports.
MrBeast's Reaction and Offer
Reacting to the news on social media platform X, MrBeast expressed that he would have been willing to pay even more than the reported $500,000 if the climb had been featured on his YouTube channel. In a post that has since gone viral, he highlighted his interest in such high-stakes content for his audience. This comment has sparked widespread discussion online, with many users weighing in on the financial and ethical implications.
Honnold's Perspective and Public Response
Despite calling the payment small, Honnold expressed gratitude, noting that it helped support his camera crew and close friends involved in the project. He added that he would have attempted the climb even without compensation, emphasizing his passion for the sport. The public reaction to MrBeast's statement has been mixed:
- One user commented, "Bro was probably gonna climb it regardless but was able to do it legally without putting bystanders at risk and made some."
- Another wrote, "He will probably get more endorsements and he will post for engagements and return on investments too."
- A third user reacted, "mrbeast treating human life like a youtube thumbnail is actually on brand," while a fourth chimed in, "Accept a senior manager’s salary to climb a 1667 foot tall tower with no harness or be in a Mr Beast video. The choice is yours."
This incident underscores the growing intersection between extreme sports and digital media, where platforms like YouTube and Netflix compete for exclusive, high-risk content. As debates continue over the valuation of such feats, it highlights how social media influencers are reshaping entertainment economics.
