MrBeast criticizes Netflix pay, would give Alex Honnold over $500K for Taipei 101 stunt

Popular YouTuber MrBeast has reacted to the recent free solo climb of Taipei 101 by Alex Honnold, stating that he would have given the climber over $500,000 to do the stunt on his YouTube channel. Alex Honnold successfully climbed the 1,667-foot Taipei 101 skyscraper in Taiwan on January 25, 2026, without the use of a harness, ropes, parachute, or any safety gear. The climb, which took approximately 90 minutes, was live on Netflix as part of the “Skyscraper Live” show.


Reports suggest that Netflix paid Honnold roughly $500,000 for the climb, which he called “embarrassingly small” compared to salaries in mainstream sports. MrBeast shared on X that he would have offered even more for the stunt if it had been on his platform. Honnold himself noted that he would have done the climb for free but appreciated the money to support his camera crew friends who helped document the project and manage significant production risks involved.

MrBeast says he would pay more than Netflix for Honnold’s Taipei 101 climb

The Taipei 101 climb has been described as the largest urban free solo ever attempted. Honnold used the building’s exterior features, protrusions, and decorative elements as handholds and footholds to reach the spire, relying entirely on his preparation and mental control. The feat was watched live by millions across the globe, further underscoring Honnold’s precision, technical mastery, and trademark fearlessness in pushing the boundaries of what is considered possible in climbing.





The news of MrBeast’s comments added an interesting twist to the story. While Netflix secured the live broadcast and paid Honnold mid-six figures, MrBeast’s statement suggests YouTube could compete for even more daring stunts in the future. Fans praised Honnold’s climb and expressed amazement at the risks involved, while others debated the ethics and safety of offering large sums for extreme stunts as competition between platforms grows.


The climb by Honnold shows the increasing popularity of extreme urban climbs and live streaming events. Although the monetary aspect of such stunts is gaining popularity, the level of physical skill and preparation that goes into them is still remarkable. The achievement of Honnold also shows the new competition between platforms such as Netflix and YouTube to provide entertainment that is high risk and high reward.


Ultimately, the successful climb of Taipei 101 by Honnold will be remembered as a landmark event in the history of urban free soloing. The remarks by MrBeast show the importance of such extreme performances and the fascination of the public with extreme stunts. Whether it is on Netflix or YouTube, the skill and risk-taking of Honnold continue to fascinate the world.