Humans love looking up on things.
This is because seeing the “superlatives” often means striving to see or connect with the highest, most extreme, or most ideal aspects of something. This can be literal, like looking up at the biggest, the largest, the fastest, the most expensive, and others. Looking up these things can inspire feelings of awe and admiration.
And on the internet, there is no person who showcases more of these superlatives than James Stephen "Jimmy" Donaldson.
Or better known by his online alias MrBeast, he is an American YouTuber, internet personality, and businessman, best known for creating fast-paced and high-production videos featuring elaborate challenges and lucrative giveaways.
This time, he took his attempt to a new height — literally. And that is by scaling Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building.
He teased first in a post on Instagram.
The Burj Khalifa in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, is an engineering marvel.
And that is to say the least.
As the tallest structure and building in the world at a height of 828 meters, the mega skyscraper with 163 floors above ground was built using over 330,000 cubic meters of concrete and 39,000 tons of steel rebar.
It was completed in 2010 after six years of construction
Standing tall at 1 Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd at Downtown Dubai, its design was inspired by Islamic architecture, especially the spiraling pattern of the Hymenocallis flower.
Its reflective glass and staggered levels made it a landmark in the desert city.
Burj Khalifa is a symbol of Dubai’s rapid growth and global presence, positioning it as a center for tourism, luxury, and business. Since its opening, it has attracted millions of visitors annually and helped boost Dubai’s status as a global city.
As Burj Khalifa continues holding records not just in height but as an architectural symbol of human ambition and ingenuity, only a handful of people have ever climbed to the very tip.
This is because anyone wishes to go beyond the observation decks and public floors, besides for maintenance workers, requires exclusive permission, safety training, physical and mental endurance, and more.
Not to mention the harsh weather at the top at the tropical desert climate city.
In other words, it's rare to see anyone climbing up to the peak of its spire.
But MrBeast is no ordinary man.
For starters, he's a YouTuber with the most subscribers. And with content that is all about the superlatives, Donaldson is the best person to represent what he has long been creating.
And here, Jimmy Donaldson becomes the 8th person to ever scale to the tip of Burj Khalifa. He joins the elites that came up before him. They include:
- Tom Cruise: The actor scaled the Burj Khalifa for a scene in Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, performing his own stunts as part of his well-known dedication to performing daring feats on screen.
- Sheikh Hamdan: The Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, is known for his adventurous spirit and also climbed the Burj Khalifa.
- Nicole Smith-Ludvik: She participated in a daring Emirates commercial where she stood atop the Burj Khalifa as part of the filming of the ad. This unique feat was done under strict safety protocols.
- Will Smith: The actor also took part in a promotional stunt where he scaled the Burj Khalifa as part of a television appearance.
- Sam Sunderland: A professional motorcyclist, Sunderland made history by climbing the Burj Khalifa, contributing to his reputation in extreme sports.
- Alain Robert: Known as the "French Spider-Man," Robert is famous for scaling skyscrapers around the world, including the Burj Khalifa, without safety equipment.
- Alexis Landot: A skilled climber, Landot is another individual who reached the top of the Burj Khalifa.
While Burj Khalifa is already offering a breathtaking view of Dubai from the high up, the view from the tip of the spire should be unparalleled.
Having a 360-degree view of the entirety of Dubai from the tip should give an experience found in no other viewpoint.
"I made it! I am standing on top of the tallest building in the world," MrBeast said in the clip, clearly terrified by the sheer height below him.
"This is terrifying! I shouldn’t have looked down — that’s scary," he added, as he peered cautiously over the edge, with a nervous chuckle.
