KSI Shakes Up YouTube: Star Exits Sidemen After 13 Years

Olajide Olatunji, known globally as KSI, sent shockwaves through the online entertainment world. After more than a decade as a central pillar of the Sidemen, the YouTube superstar confirmed his departure from the iconic British collective on May 31, 2026, signaling a seismic shift for one of the platform's most successful groups.

The 32-year-old content creator delivered the news via an emotional video posted to his personal YouTube channel, starkly titled "I'm leaving the Sidemen." He informed his massive audience that the video released that same day would officially be his last collaboration with the group. Initial fan speculation regarding the announcement's authenticity, with some wondering if it was a prank, was swiftly put to rest when his representatives confirmed the news to major outlets, including the BBC and the Press Association.

The timing of this revelation was particularly notable, coming just hours after the finale of *Britain's Got Talent*, where KSI had served as a judge since 2025. This high-profile role is just one facet of a rapidly expanding individual career that ultimately led to his difficult decision.

KSI's journey in online content began long before the Sidemen's formation. Born Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji in London, he received private education at Berkhamsted School. He launched his YouTube career in 2009, initially gaining widespread popularity through his FIFA video game commentary. Over time, his content diversified significantly, incorporating vlogs and comedic skits, laying the groundwork for his eventual mainstream crossover appeal.

Beyond his foundational YouTube presence, KSI has built an impressive multi-hyphenate career. He has achieved considerable success as a rapper, releasing chart-topping albums and collaborating with various artists. His ventures into professional boxing, notably his high-profile bouts against fellow YouTuber Logan Paul, further cemented his status as a global entertainer. He is also a co-founder of Misfits Boxing and holds co-ownership stakes in major businesses like Prime Hydration and Lunchly, showcasing his entrepreneurial acumen. His judging role on *Britain's Got Talent* since 2025 further highlights his transition into mainstream media.

The Sidemen collective, which KSI was a part of for 12 to 13 years, almost half his life, traces its origins back to October 19, 2013. The group formed from a Rockstar Games Social Club group called "The Ultimate Sidemen" within *Grand Theft Auto Online*. The original lineup included Simon Minter (Miniminter), Joshua Bradley (Zerkaa), Tobit Brown (TBJZL), Ethan Payne (Behzinga), and Vikram Barn (Vikkstar123), with Harry Lewis (W2S) joining in early 2014. Some members, like Olatunji and Minter, and Bradley and Brown, had connections from school prior to the group's inception, fostering a deep-rooted camaraderie.

In his farewell video, KSI candidly expressed the immense emotional toll of his decision. "This is honestly the hardest video I've ever had to make in my life," he stated, revealing that the choice had been a subject of intense deliberation for months. "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," he explained. He was quick to dispel any rumors of internal strife, asserting, "The truth is nothing bad has happened. This decision is completely my own." Instead, he pointed to an unsustainable work-life balance, a direct consequence of his burgeoning individual commitments. "Over the last few years, I felt myself being pulled in a lot of directions than ever before. Between everything else in my life, I feel like I've been running at full speed at 100 miles an hour," he elaborated, detailing the personal cost. "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 the way, I started losing the balance of my own life." He concluded that the Sidemen deserved someone who could dedicate 100 percent, a commitment he felt he could no longer uphold, describing the separation as "painful" but ultimately "the right thing to do" for his health and personal life, including spending more time with his family and partner.

Following KSI's announcement, the remaining Sidemen members—Miniminter, Zerkaa, TBJZL, Behzinga, Vikkstar123, and W2S—issued their own official statement on social media on May 31, 2026. They conveyed their sadness over his choice, stating, "We're sad to share the news that JJ has decided not to continue as part of the Sidemen." While acknowledging that the departure "came as a surprise" to them and would necessitate an "adjustment" for fans, they extended their best wishes to KSI "all the best with his future endeavours." The statement also served to reassure their audience, asserting, "This doesn't change anything for the rest of us," and reaffirming their commitment to "creating the best content, events and shows that we can for you all," promising "lots of exciting stuff planned." KSI, in a show of continued camaraderie, urged his followers to keep supporting the group, stating, "I hope you'll continue supporting the boys, because they deserve it. They're still going to do amazing things, I know they're still going to make incredible content, and I'll definitely be watching alongside all of you."

The Sidemen have grown into far more than just content creators. As of May 2025, their combined YouTube channels boasted over 155 million subscribers, with their main channel alone reaching 23 million. They are celebrated for their dynamic challenge videos, comedic sketches, and engaging video game commentaries, having even collaborated with global figures like MrBeast and football star Erling Haaland. Their influence extends into a robust business empire, encompassing a fried chicken chain, multiple clothing lines, an alcohol brand, and cereal products. The group's annual charity football matches have also raised millions for various causes, further solidifying their positive impact. In February 2024, their journey and cultural significance were chronicled in a Netflix documentary, "The Sidemen Story."

KSI's departure represents the most substantial personnel change in the collective's 13-year history. Given his status as the Sidemen's most globally recognizable member since their inception, this exit holds considerable importance within YouTube culture. The Sidemen stand as one of the platform's most successful and enduring creator collectives, having built a brand that transcends traditional online videos. The long-term implications of KSI's absence on their ongoing projects, including a previously teased Netflix show, remain a significant point of interest for fans and industry observers alike.

This pivotal moment underscores the evolving landscape of online entertainment, where individual creator brands can grow to monumental proportions, sometimes necessitating difficult choices about collective commitments. The future of the Sidemen, while affirmed by its remaining members, will undoubtedly enter a new chapter, watched closely by millions of fans eager to see how one of YouTube's most influential groups adapts to the departure of its most prominent star.