YouTube creator group Sidemen reveal what happened behind KSI’s suprise exit
By William Muthama, June 6, 2026The remaining members of the Sidemen have broken their silence following KSI’s departure from the popular YouTube creator group, revealing that his exit unfolded differently from what they had hoped.
In a joint statement shared on Saturday, June 6, 2026, days after KSI, whose real name is Olajide Olatunji, announced he was leaving the group after 13 years, the creators said they respected his decision and wished him well.
However, they admitted the announcement caught them off guard and left fans confused.
Exit sparks questions
The group said KSI’s departure did not happen in the way any of them wanted, prompting them to address the situation publicly.
“We want to start this by saying that we, as the Sidemen, wish JJ the best and respect his decision to leave. We will be forever grateful for the amazing moments and memories we’ve shared together,” the statement read.
The creators explained that responding to the situation took time because the Sidemen operate as a collective rather than having a single spokesperson. They noted that each member had different opinions and feelings about the exit.
Farewell plans lost
According to the statement, the group had hoped to organise a proper farewell for KSI before announcing the news to fans.
The remaining members said they wanted the opportunity to create a dedicated goodbye video, allow everyone involved time to process the decision, and celebrate the achievements they had built together over more than a decade.
“Unfortunately, JJ released the news before we had agreed on a mutual way of letting our audience know,” they stated.
The revelation suggests there had been discussions behind the scenes regarding how the departure would be communicated, but those plans were overtaken when KSI chose to make the announcement himself.
Group moves forward
Despite the disappointment surrounding the circumstances of the announcement, the creators emphasised that they remain supportive of KSI and his future endeavours.
The statement was signed by Ethan Payne, Harry Lewis, Josh Bradley, Simon Minter, Tobi Brown, and Vikram Barn.
They also reassured fans that the Sidemen will continue producing content despite losing one of their founding members.
“This is the end of an era, but not the end of the Sidemen,” the group said.
KSI’s departure marks one of the biggest changes in the history of the YouTube collective, which has grown into one of the world’s most influential creator groups since its formation in 2013.