MrBeast’s smile has recently stirred mixed reactions online, with some of his fans expressing discomfort over how it looks. The concern mainly revolves around what many call a “lack of eye smile,” meaning his eyes don’t seem to show emotion when he smiles.
People have said his expressions appear forced or unnatural, with a few even describing them as “creepy” or “lifeless.”
Fans Call His Smile “Creepy” — But There’s a Medical Explanation
A large number of fans have pointed out that MrBeast’s smile doesn’t come off as warm or genuine. Instead of looking joyful, his grin often seems exaggerated and disconnected from his eyes. The result, according to some viewers, is an expression that feels robotic or staged.
This reaction sparked online conversations, with some posts on Reddit even calling one of his recent smiling photos “the most unsettling thing ever.”
After months of fan speculation, MrBeast—whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson—took to social media to clear the air. He revealed that he has severe astigmatism, a vision condition that distorts the shape of the cornea and blurs vision.
This condition makes it hard for him to see clearly without contact lenses, often causing him to squint. That squinting, he explained, is the reason his eyes don’t fully engage when he smiles.
“Funny story, I get this comment a lot, and it’s why I got my eyes examined,” he posted on X (Twitter). “I found out I have a severe astigmatism, and my vision is horrible. Without contacts, I can’t see unless I’m squinting. That’s why my eyes used to look off in photos when I smiled. So thanks to everyone who pointed it out — you helped me realize objects far away are not supposed to be blurry. Now I have contacts lol.”
Fan Feedback Helped MrBeast Discover His Vision Problem
Interestingly, it was the online criticism that pushed MrBeast to get his eyes checked. Fans commenting on his expression unknowingly helped him detect a major health issue.
Once diagnosed, he began wearing contact lenses, which improved not only his vision but also how his facial expressions appear in photos and videos.
His openness about the issue has been met with understanding by many followers. It also shows how online feedback—even when negative—can sometimes lead to meaningful personal change.
MrBeast’s Open-Mouth Thumbnail Strategy Changed in 2023
Apart from his smile, another notable change in MrBeast’s public image has been his YouTube thumbnail strategy.
For a long time, he was known for using exaggerated open-mouth expressions in his video thumbnails—a tactic that many creators use to grab attention. These thumbnails made his content feel exciting, high-energy, and unpredictable.
However, on September 6, 2023, MrBeast made a surprising announcement on Twitter. He said that he tested thumbnails where he closed his mouth, and to his surprise, those videos performed better. Specifically, viewer watch time increased when his mouth was closed in the thumbnail.
“I closed my mouth on all my thumbnails, and the watch time went up on every video lol,” he tweeted. “My mouth is now closed in all my thumbnails, but the war has just begun. We must not rest until mouths are closed in everyone’s thumbnails.”
This sparked conversations among fellow content creators. Some, like tech YouTuber MKBHD, also noticed that over-the-top facial expressions in thumbnails might actually harm long-term viewer retention. MrBeast even joked that other creators would soon follow the new trend of keeping their mouths closed.
Who Is MrBeast?
Full Name: James Stephen “Jimmy” Donaldson
Nickname(s): MrBeast, Jimmy Donaldson, MrBeast6000
Gender: Male
Date of Birth: May 7, 1998
Age: 27 (as of 2025)
Zodiac Sign: Taurus
Place of Birth: Wichita, Kansas, USA
Current Residence: Greenville, North Carolina, USA
Nationality: American
Ethnicity: White
Sexuality: Straight
Height: 6’3” (191 cm)
Weight: 190 lbs (86 kg)
Hair Color: Light Brown
Eye Color: Blue
Mother: Sue Donaldson
Father: Stephen Donaldson
Siblings: One
Relationship Status: Engaged
Partner: Thea Booysen
School: Christian Academy
University: East Carolina University (dropped out)
Profession: YouTuber, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, Media Personality
Net Worth: Estimated at $1 Billion
Social Media:
FAQs About MrBeast’s Smile and Vision
Why does MrBeast smile like that?
His smile appears different due to severe astigmatism, which forces him to squint when he’s not wearing contact lenses. This affects how his eyes look when he smiles.
Why doesn’t he smile with his eyes?
Because of his vision problem, MrBeast tends to squint, which prevents his eyes from reflecting emotion the way they typically would during a genuine smile.
What’s going on with MrBeast’s smile?
Some fans say it feels awkward or eerie, but MrBeast clarified that the reason is his previously undiagnosed astigmatism, which was discovered thanks to fan observations.
Does MrBeast have a medical diagnosis?
Yes, he has Crohn’s disease, a long-term condition that affects the digestive system, and severe astigmatism, which affects vision. However, these are medical conditions, not disabilities in the traditional sense.
Is MrBeast disabled?
No. Although he has Crohn’s disease and vision issues, they are not classified as disabilities.
Why does MrBeast make those facial expressions in his thumbnails?
He uses intentional facial expressions to catch attention on YouTube. His exaggerated faces—especially the “shocked” or surprised look—are part of a strategy to increase video clicks and engagement.
Why is his shocked face so popular?
The “shocked” face is one of MrBeast’s signature thumbnail looks. It creates curiosity and encourages viewers to click on his videos. However, he’s now experimenting with subtler expressions, which are showing even better results.
Final Thoughts
MrBeast’s smile has become a surprising topic of online discussion. What started as fan criticism evolved into a deeper story about health awareness and digital strategy.
Thanks to the comments, MrBeast discovered a serious vision problem and made lifestyle improvements. His smile may still seem different to some, but the story behind it shows how even negative feedback can lead to growth and self-care.
And despite all the chatter, MrBeast continues to dominate YouTube, win hearts with his charitable work, and redefine what it means to be an online creator.
Join Gen Z New WhatsApp Channel To Stay Updated On time https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaWT5gSGufImU8R0DO30
