Sidemen issue statement after KSI announces he is leaving group
The Sidemen have issued an official statement after KSI revealed that he'd be stepping back from the YouTube group.
Consisting of YouTubers, KSI (JJ), Miniminter (Simon Minter), Zerkaa (Joshua Bradley), TBJZL (Tobi Brown), Behzinga (Ethan Payne), Vikkstar123 (Vikram Barn), and W2S (Harry Lewis), the group has been hugely popular on the video sharing site for more than a decade.
After joining together, the group has posted videos from countries across the globe alongside huge personalities such as MrBeast and Erling Haaland, while their annual football match also raises millions for charity.
However, KSI has found fame outside the group in recent years, both as a rapper and a judge on Britain's Got Talent, and it seems as if the 32-year-old is ready for a well-earned break from content, as he confirmed that his time with the group has now come to an end.
Advert
Posting on Instagram, the content creators collective wrote: "We're sad to share the news that JJ has decided not to continue as part of the Sidemen.
"We had an amazing time on this journey with him and we wish him all the best with his future endeavours.
"This doesn't change anything for the rest of us.
"We're still committed to creating the best content, events and shows that we can for you all.
"This came as a surprise to us and we know it will be an adjustment for you, but we've got lots of exciting stuff planned that we can't wait to share."
Earlier today, the content creator, whose real name is Olajide Olayinka Williams "JJ" Olatunji, shared an emotional video to confirm his exit after 12 years with the group.
He said: "This is honestly the hardest video I’ve ever had to make in my life.
“I’ve gone back and forth on this decision for a very long time. I’ve spent months trying to figure out what the right thing to do is. But after a lot of thought, I’ve decided that I’m no longer be doing Sidemen videos. Today, 31st of May, will be my final Sidemen video.
"Even saying these words out loud, it just just doesn't feel real. The Sidemen have been such a huge part of my life. For over 12, 13 years, for almost half my life, the Sidemen have been my second family.
"We've grown up together. We've travelled the world together. We built something that none of us ever thought was possible.
"The truth is nothing bad has happened. This decision is completely my own," he explained.
"Over the last few years, I felt myself being pulled in a lot of directions than than than ever before. Between everything else in my life, I feel like I've been running at full speed at 100 miles an hour.
"I spent so long trying to be everything for everyone, trying to be everywhere, trying to do it all, trying not to let anyone down. But somewhere along somewhere along the way, I started losing the balance of my own life.
"I found it hard to make enough time for myself. I found it hard I definitely found it hard to find time for my family. I found it hard to make time for the people I love. And I realised that something has to change. The Sidemen deserves someone who can give 100 percent.
"And right now I know I can't do that. It just wouldn't be fair on the boys, it wouldn't be fair to you and it wouldn't be fair to myself.
"Walking away from something you love is it's it's painful. Trust me, this has not been easy. But deep down, deep down, I know it's the right thing to do.
"Those boys help shape who I am today. And I hope in some small way that I shaped who they became too."
Topics: KSI, YouTube, Social Media, Entertainment
James Moorhouse