LONDON — In a move that has sent shockwaves through the global creator economy, internet megastar and entrepreneur KSI has officially announced his departure from the Sidemen, the massively successful YouTube collective he helped co-found more than a decade ago.
The 32-year-old creator, whose real name is Olajide “JJ” Olatunji, revealed that May 31 marked his final video with the group, drawing a definitive curtain on a 13-year run that reshaped modern digital entertainment.
”This is honestly the hardest video I’ve ever had to make in my life,” an emotional KSI told his viewers. “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 will no longer be doing Sidemen videos.”
Behind the Scenes: Burnout and Personal Priorities
While rumors of internal rifts immediately began circulating online, KSI was quick to clarify that the decision was entirely personal. Subsequent videos posted to his KSI+ channel painted a clearer picture of severe professional burnout and a deep desire to recalibrate his life.
The multi-hyphenate star has spent years managing an intensely grueling schedule. Beyond the weekly, high-production Sidemen shoots, his current commitments include running his personal YouTube channel, building his music career, serving as a judge on ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent, participating in the Baller League, and managing high-stakes business ventures like the Prime hydration brand.
Realizing he was booked solid without a holiday until October, a personal milestone ultimately forced a change in perspective.
”Over the last 10 years, I have barely spent enough time with my parents because of work,” KSI admitted, reflecting on his mother’s recent 60th birthday. “Success means very little if there is no time left for family or personal happiness. I don’t want work to become the only important thing in my life.”
Group Admits To “Confusion” Over Sudden Announcement
The departure has not been entirely seamless. Following days of intense fan speculation, the remaining six members of the group—Simon Minter (Miniminter), Josh Bradley (Zerkaa), Vikram Barn (Vikkstar123), Tobi Brown (TBJZL), Ethan Payne (Behzinga), and Harry Lewis (W2S)—issued a joint statement admitting the exit did not play out exactly as planned.
While emphasizing their ongoing love and respect for their “brother,” the group revealed that KSI released his farewell video before a mutual announcement plan could be finalized.
”Unfortunately, his exit did not happen in the way any of us wanted it to. That has understandably left lots of you confused and we feel like we owe you some clarity,” the Sidemen statement read, pointing out that coordinating a response is inherently slow for a multi-member group without a single spokesperson. “Ideally, we would have loved the opportunity to give him the proper send-off he deserved.”
From FIFA Commentaries to a £150M Empire
The split marks the conclusion of one of the most successful collaborative stories in internet history. Formed in 2013 as a group of friends playing Grand Theft Auto and FIFA in their bedrooms, the Sidemen grew into an economic juggernaut with over 23 million subscribers.
Together, the group successfully crossed over into mainstream media, selling out football stadiums for charity matches, launching a Netflix documentary, and creating a massive commercial footprint that includes a clothing line, cereal brands, and the Sides fried chicken restaurant chain.
Despite the abrupt nature of the exit, both sides have adamantly urged fans to avoid toxicity online. While the group enters uncharted territory without its most recognizable individual star, the remaining members concluded their briefing with an optimistic eye on the future: “This is the end of an era, but not the end of the Sidemen.”
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