YouTuber KSI has apologised again for using a racist slur in a recent video, which was posted on The Sidemen’s account over the weekend.
On Sunday, the group was watching a Countdown-themed game show when KSI, actual name JJ Olatunji, used his letter selection to create the word “p**i.”
On Wednesday, the 29-year-old online celebrity was seen reciting from a pre-written statement in a video uploaded on the Fred Talks Fighting YouTube account.
‘I want to convey my heartfelt remorse for what I said, and I want you to know that I am truly embarrassed and terribly sorry for any pain or suffering I have caused,’ the social media sensation said.
‘I understand that my comments have repercussions, and as a public figure, I have a duty to use my position for good rather than perpetuating discrimination – and this week I have failed to do so,’ he continued.
‘Privately I have taken the time to engage in very early conversations with some people from South Asian communities and will continue to do so in the coming weeks and months ahead.’
KSI added: ‘I will continue to educate myself on the rich history and culture of South Asia and the struggles faced by its people. I am committed to doing better, being a better ally and using my platform to uplift marginalised voices.’
The initial video showed KSI’s fellow Sidemen giggling, and it didn’t take long for social media users to voice their outrage on Twitter.
The footage can no longer be viewed on the social media platform, with Deadline noting it’s been made private.
One person wrote in response: ‘I had this racial slur thrown at me & got physical beats by racists for my entire childhood.
‘Genuinely upset that @KSI (a guy my children love) did this & thought it was funny. The rest of them laughing can go f**k themselves too. People dehumanising brown people like it normal.’
Another Twitter user noted: ‘This is unacceptable and racist @KSI You don’t need points, you need to get your priorities in order.’
‘This guy should lose all his sponsorships and step down from @PrimeHydrate and @Sidemen for using this racist slur aimed at Pakistanis and South Asians,’ tweeted someone else.
Other comments included: ‘F**k KSI,’ ‘Is this what “content creating” has come to?’ and ‘It isn’t funny, it’s disgusting.’
In the wake of the backlash, KSI released an initial statement on Twitter on Monday morning that read: ‘I wanna apologise for saying a racial slur in a recent Sidemen video. ‘There’s no excuse, no matter the circumstances, I shouldn’t have said it and I’m sorry.
‘I’ve always said to my audience that they shouldn’t worship me or put me on a pedestal because I’m human.
‘Im not perfect, I’m gonna mess up in life, and lately I’ve been messing up a lot. So I’ve decided I’m gonna just take a break from social media for a while [sic].’
The Sidemen also released a statement on Monday that read: ‘During yesterday’s Sidemen Sunday a racial slur was said during the video.
‘We accept that it was completely unacceptable and inexcusable. The fact the incident was made light of on the show was wrong and compounded the hurt.
‘We deeply regret this and would like to truly apologise. We have reflected on this incident both collectively and individually and are truly ashamed that we let ourselves and you guys down in this way.
‘We want to use our channels to promote positivity and great entertainment. We stand against racism and discrimination of any kind and we failed to do that. Again, we are truly sorry and promise to do better.’
Source My Celebrity Life.