KSI's departure from the Sidemen has taken a dramatic turn, with friends of the YouTube star alleging he was effectively 'frozen out' by the group in the weeks leading up to his exit. The claims directly contradict the Sidemen's initial statement that the news 'came as a surprise to us.'
Timeline of the Split
According to sources close to KSI, real name Olajide William Olatunji, he informed the group of his intention to leave in April, a month before the public announcement. However, the Sidemen's first statement claimed they were blindsided, which friends say fueled online abuse against KSI.
The group later released a second statement clarifying they were aware of his planned exit but caught off guard by the timing of the announcement. They said: 'Unfortunately JJ released the news before we had agreed on a mutual way of letting our audience know.'
Leaked News and Forced Hand
Friends claim KSI was forced to confirm his departure after details leaked while the group was at Soccer Aid. 'He felt backed into a corner,' a source said. 'He wasn't going to let fans find out through leaks instead of from him personally.'
Behind-the-Scenes Tensions
KSI had proposed reducing his involvement to appearing in videos every two weeks, citing the physical and mental toll of the filming schedule, which consumed over a third of his time. But friends say those discussions were quickly shut down, sparking anger from some members who sent 'a torrent of furious messages.'
One friend claimed: 'KSI had been largely frozen out in the weeks leading up to his final appearance with no farewell ever proposed by the boys.' The source added that despite tensions, KSI continued to show up professionally, even staying at a different hotel during a Paris match due to visible strains.
Lack of Farewell
The Sidemen's statement said they would have loved to give KSI 'the send off he deserved,' but friends insist no farewell was ever planned. 'It remains unclear how the farewell video 'he deserved' would realistically have been possible under those circumstances,' the friend said.
Years of Pressure
Friends claim KSI operated at an unsustainable intensity, balancing Sidemen shoots, Netflix shows, boxing, music, and public pressure. 'He reached a point where he struggled to put his all into everything and hated disappointing the boys,' a source said. The group allegedly made him feel guilty for prioritizing his own life.
Following his controversial boxing defeat to Tommy Fury, friends say the group mocked him with a 'loser' sign in a video, which 'really affected him and was passed off as banter.' Some members were reportedly pleased with the loss because it meant more time for Sidemen videos.
Support from Tobi
Fellow Sidemen member Tobi publicly defended KSI, condemning racial abuse and death threats directed at him. He offered insight into the demanding schedule, saying: 'Three days of Sidemen shoot is not the same as three days of Britain's Got Talent.' He added that KSI 'struggled with it for a long time' but ultimately made the decision to prioritize family.
The Sidemen acknowledged differing opinions within the group, stating: 'We don't have a spokesperson as such and each of our opinions and feelings differ.'
