Popular YouTuber KSI has issued an apology after using a racial slur during a recent video made with his group, the Sidemen. In the video, the group played a game of Countdown, during which KSI used a derogatory term for someone of Pakistani origin. KSI acknowledged that there was no excuse for using the slur and announced that he would be taking a break from social media as a result.
Following the incident, teacher and broadcaster Mehreen Baig spoke out, calling the use of the word “horrifically disappointing” and noting that it would likely be overlooked due to the normalization of racism against brown people. The video has since been removed from YouTube, though tweets from the Sidemen’s official account promoting it remain live.
KSI, who is also a musician, boxer, and founder of the Prime energy drink brand, has become a cultural influencer in recent years. He has over 20 million subscribers on his personal YouTube account and nearly as many on the Sidemen’s shared account, with their videos regularly shared by millions of viewers.
In his apology, KSI emphasized that he is only human and will make mistakes, stating that his audience should not worship him or put him on a pedestal. He expressed remorse for his actions and pledged to take a break from social media to reflect on his behavior.
