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IRL Squid Game competitors complain it was too real, reporting injuries and poor treatment as they fought for $5 million beneath a grinning MrBeast: 'We're all just looking up at the sky, screaming at him like he's god'

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The Times spoke to over a dozen participants involved in the show, all of whom have signed NDAs so remain anonymous, who claimed the conditions for contestants were poor, and in some cases outright dangerous. Shooting began in July at the Allegiant Stadium in Nevada and was scheduled for several days of filming, during which competitors had to eat, sleep and live inside the venue (another echo of Squid Game, where the contestants are unable to leave). In the event some were left without their bags for days, and in one case a group of female contestants who were menstruating asked the production staff for quicker access to their underwear, only to be told it was "not a medical emergency" while a member of the crew laughed.

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