KSI has finally explained why he walked away from The Sidemen after 13 years, revealing that tensions behind the scenes had escalated to the point of physical confrontations.
The 33-year-old YouTuber, whose real name is Olajide Olatunji, shocked fans in May 2026 when he announced his departure from the hugely successful YouTube collective.
Having helped establish the group in 2013, KSI had been one of its most recognisable members throughout its rise to international fame.
But in a new YouTube video titled I Finally Admit Everything..., he has explained that disagreements over the group's future created an environment he no longer wanted to be part of.
Why did KSI really leave The Sidemen?
KSI revealed that his departure was driven by escalating disagreements about the direction of The Sidemen, which eventually led to physical confrontations between members.
He explained that the group had reached a stage where its members no longer shared the same vision for how things should develop.
While KSI wanted to slow down, others preferred a different approach to the collective's future.
Those disagreements reportedly created significant tension behind the scenes.
"Behind the scenes, there was a lot of confrontation," KSI admitted.
He then revealed that some disagreements had become physical, although he did not publicly identify which members were involved or describe the individual incidents.
"At some points, there was some physical confrontation, but there was a lot of confrontation," he said.
KSI also acknowledged that not everyone viewed the situation in the same way.
"I felt like the environment was toxic, some people didn't," he explained.
Ultimately, he concluded that leaving was the right decision for him rather than continuing in a group where members had increasingly different ambitions.
What did KSI say about the group's future?
KSI suggested that the disagreements reflected a wider difference in priorities between members of The Sidemen.
After more than a decade working together, the creators had developed successful careers and businesses beyond their original YouTube content.
He explained that he no longer believed everyone needed to pursue the same path.
For KSI, the choice came down to whether the members could continue growing together or accept that their ambitions had taken them in different directions.
He chose to leave.
However, he stressed that he did not believe his departure would prevent the remaining members from succeeding.
"They are all millionaires. They all have great lives, they all have fantastic families," he said.
"They're good. They don't need me anymore."
His comments suggested that he viewed the split as an opportunity for everyone to pursue their own priorities rather than an attempt to damage the group.
Did KSI regret how he announced his departure?
Although KSI defended his decision to leave, he admitted that the announcement itself could have been handled better.
His departure in May came as a surprise to many fans and reportedly caught his fellow Sidemen off guard.
KSI explained that he wanted to make the announcement himself instead of allowing the news to emerge through someone else.
"I'm an impulsive guy," he admitted while discussing his approach.
He said he wanted to leave "on my own terms", even though he recognised that the process had not been ideal.
The admission follows a public statement from The Sidemen in June, when the remaining members explained that they had hoped to organise a more considered farewell.
How did The Sidemen react to KSI leaving?
Following KSI's departure, The Sidemen addressed the situation in an Instagram statement.
The remaining members — Simon Minter, Josh Bradley, Tobi Brown, Ethan Payne, Vikram Barn and Harry Lewis — expressed respect for KSI's decision and wished him well.
However, they acknowledged that his exit had been unexpected and had not unfolded as they would have preferred.
According to their statement, the group had wanted to arrange a farewell video that would allow everyone to reflect on KSI's contribution.
Instead, he announced his departure before they had agreed on how to share the news with their audience.
"Unfortunately JJ released the news before we had agreed on a mutual way of letting our audience know," the group explained.
Despite the unexpected announcement, the remaining members confirmed that they intended to continue producing their regular content.
Is KSI still friends with The Sidemen?
KSI has insisted that he does not hold a grudge against his former collaborators.
Although he acknowledged that he no longer regularly communicates with every member, he said he remains in contact with some of them.
He also made clear that he wishes the group continued success.
"I hold no anger, or jealousy, or envy towards them," he said.
"I just want the best for them."
His comments indicate that while the working relationship had become difficult, he does not want the departure to develop into an ongoing public feud.
He also appeared comfortable with the possibility that the remaining members would continue building The Sidemen without him.
When did KSI leave The Sidemen?
KSI announced his departure in May 2026, approximately 13 years after helping establish the group.
The Sidemen began in 2013 as a collective of British YouTubers producing gaming, challenges and entertainment content.
Over time, the group expanded into large-scale productions, merchandise, food businesses and major live events.
KSI became one of its most prominent personalities while also developing a career in music, boxing and business.
His departure marked a significant change for the collective, which had retained its core membership for more than a decade.
The remaining six members have continued operating under The Sidemen name.
What happens next for KSI and The Sidemen?
KSI has not suggested that he intends to reverse his departure.
Instead, his latest explanation indicates that he considers the split an opportunity to pursue his own ambitions independently.
The remaining Sidemen have also committed to continuing their regular uploads and projects.
While KSI's comments reveal that the atmosphere behind the scenes was more strained than many viewers realised, he has stopped short of publicly blaming individual members.
For fans who spent years watching the group together, his explanation provides new insight into why one of YouTube's longest-running collaborations came to an end.
Source: UNILAD, October 23, 2026, reporting on KSI's YouTube video I Finally Admit Everything... and The Sidemen's June 2026 Instagram statement.
