Jimmy Donaldson, popularly known as MrBeast, is a household name in the YouTube world, known for his extravagant giveaways, philanthropy, and record-breaking stunts. However, not many people are familiar with his older brother, CJ Donaldson, who also embarked on his own YouTube journey. Originally known as MrBro, CJ attempted to replicate his younger brother’s success but faced several challenges along the way.
This article dives deep into CJ Donaldson’s life, his journey in content creation, his struggles with YouTube, his decision to rebrand, and what he is currently up to.
Who is MrBeast’s Brother?
CJ, also known as “MrBro,” followed in his younger brother’s footsteps and started his own YouTube channel. While CJ’s channel is not as prominent as MrBeast’s, he has garnered a following and is part of the family’s legacy in content creation. CJ launched his own YouTube channel in 2019, creating content similar to his brother’s challenge-based videos.
Despite gaining 4.2 million subscribers, he struggled with comparisons to MrBeast and eventually rebranded his channel to CJTheseDays. While his main channel is now inactive, CJ briefly shifted to gaming content with CJTheseGames, maintaining a presence in the content creation space.
Early Life and Background of MrBeast’s Brother:
Charles Richard “CJ” Donaldson was born on April 26, 1996, in Georgia, USA. He and his family later moved to Greenville, North Carolina, where he was raised alongside his younger brother, Jimmy.
Like his brother, CJ attended Greenville Christian Academy, where he played basketball and baseball. Before stepping into the world of YouTube, CJ worked at Walmart.
CJ’s Relationship with MrBeast:
CJ and Jimmy share a strong brotherly bond. Despite their different career paths, MrBeast was instrumental in helping CJ start his YouTube journey.
CJ has appeared in several of MrBeast’s videos, including:
- “Last To Leave Circle Wins $500,000”
- I gave My brother 24 Hours to Spend $100000
- Several older challenge videos
Though CJ is no longer actively posting, their relationship remains strong, and CJ occasionally makes appearances on social media.
YouTube Journey: The Birth of MrBro
1. MrBeast’s Influence and Launching a YouTube Career:
CJ Donaldson’s entry into YouTube was heavily influenced by MrBeast. On March 17, 2019, Jimmy took to Twitter and asked his fans if his older brother should start a YouTube channel. The response was overwhelmingly positive, and on August 28, 2019, CJ uploaded his first video titled “I Am MrBeast’s Secret Brother”, introducing himself to the audience.
2. The Content and Initial Success:
CJ’s channel, originally named MrBro, followed a similar format to MrBeast’s content. His videos included large giveaways, challenges, and over-the-top stunts. MrBeast even provided CJ with staff, equipment, and resources to help him grow his channel.
Some of CJ’s most notable videos include:
- “Spending 24 Hours Straight in Slime”
- “I Spent $50,000 On Lottery Tickets & WON”
- “I Built A Giant LEGO Tower”
His channel gained traction quickly, surpassing 1 million subscribers in just a few months. At its peak, MrBro had over 4.2 million subscribers.
Why Did CJ Donaldson Change His Name and Career?
Despite the initial success, CJ faced criticism and comparison with MrBeast. Many fans accused him of being a “budget MrBeast”, pointing out that his content was too similar to his younger brother’s without the same level of execution.
1. Challenges and Hiatus:
The backlash and constant comparisons eventually led CJ to take a break from YouTube in October 2020. During this period, he re-evaluated his content direction.
2. Rebranding to CJTheseDays:
To differentiate himself from his younger brother, CJ rebranded his channel to CJTheseDays. He shifted his focus to a more personal content style, distancing himself from the MrBeast-inspired format.
His last long-form video was uploaded on June 5, 2021, and his last YouTube Short was on February 28, 2023. Since then, his main channel has been inactive.
CJ’s New Direction: Gaming Channel
After moving away from his original content style, CJ started a gaming-focused channel called CJTheseGames on June 7, 2022 with 107K subscribers.
The Focus on Minecraft:
CJ shifted to Minecraft content, a genre that remains hugely popular on YouTube. His gaming channel has amassed over 90,000 subscribers, and some of his most popular videos have received over 160,000 views. This move allowed him to break free from comparisons with MrBeast and establish his identity within the gaming community.
Comparison: Is CJ as Successful as MrBeast?
While CJ found moderate success on YouTube, his career never reached the astronomical heights of MrBeast. Some key differences between the two include:
| Aspect | MrBeast | CJ Donaldson |
| Subscribers | 352 Million subscribers | 4.2 Million subscribers |
| Content | Philanthropy, extreme challenges, giveaways | Challenges, gaming, Minecraft |
| Active Since | 2012 | 2019 |
| Peak Views | Billions | Millions |
| Net Worth | $1Billion | $1.4 Million |
Despite MrBeast’s success providing a jump-start for CJ, the latter’s break from content creation and shift in direction have slowed his momentum.
Conclusion:
CJ Donaldson’s journey in the YouTube world has been an interesting but challenging one. While he initially rode the wave of his younger brother’s success, the comparisons and criticism led him to rebrand and shift focus.
Although he has stepped away from YouTube for now, CJ’s impact on the platform remains notable. Whether he makes a comeback or chooses a different career path, he will always be known as MrBeast’s brother who tried to carve his own path in the digital world.
FAQs:
CJ took a break from YouTube due to heavy criticism and comparisons with MrBeast. He rebranded but later stopped posting on his main channel in 2023.
As of now, CJ’s main channel CJTheseDays remains inactive. His gaming channel CJTheseGames was last active in 2023, but it is unclear if he plans to return.
MrBro gained 3.9 million subscribers but never reached the massive popularity of MrBeast, who has over 200 million subscribers.
Yes, MrBeast provided equipment, staff, and initial support to help CJ launch his YouTube career.
There is no public information suggesting that CJ is directly involved in MrBeast’s business operations.
Hi, I’m Richie! I write about finance and entertainment, blending insights with engaging stories to guide you through complex financial concepts and exciting media trends. Whether it’s smart investments or blockbuster entertainment, join me to make informed choices and add a little fun to your day!