YouTuber KSI today issued a grovelling apology for using a racist jibe in a recent video and vowed to ‘educate myself’ as footage emerged of him visiting a mosque and speaking to an imam.
KSI, real name Olajide William Olatunji sparked a furious backlash for using an offensive four-letter slur while taking part in a ‘Countdown challenge’ along with his fellow influencers, The Sidemen.
Today, before a press conference and weigh-in ahead of his upcoming boxing bout with Joe Fournier, the 29-year-old said he was ‘genuinely ashamed and deeply sorry for any pain or suffering I have caused’.
Reading from a printed statement, the star, who dropped out of the £23,000-a-year Berkhamsted School in Hertfordshire to pursue a career online, he pledged to ‘tirelessly work to make sure I make amends’.
It came as KSI was filmed talking to an imam at a mosque in Bradford, who told onlookers how the boxer was visiting to learn.
YouTuber KSI today issued a grovelling apology for using a racist jibe in a recent video and vowed to ‘educate myself’
KSI, real name Olajide William Olatunji sparked a furious backlash for using an offensive four-letter slur while taking part in a ‘Countdown challenge’ along with his fellow influencers, The Sidemen
Today, before a press conference and weigh-in ahead of his upcoming boxing bout with Joe Fournier, the 29-year-old said he was ‘genuinely ashamed and deeply sorry for any pain or suffering I have caused’
Speaking at Glaziers Hall in London this morning, he said: ‘I want to take this opportunity to offer my deepest and most sincere apologies for my words and actions.
‘In a recent video I used a racial term that is offensive to so, so many especially in the south Asian community.
‘There are no excuses for what I said and I recognise that I’ve caused a lot of hurt and disappointment to so many people that look up to me, and my ignorance has only reinforced the negative stereotypes that have existed for way too long in this country.
‘I want to express my heartfelt regret for what I said and I want you to know I am genuinely ashamed and deeply sorry for any pain or suffering I have caused.
‘I realise my words have consequences and as a public figure I have a responsibility to use my platform for good rather than perpetuating discrimination and this week I have failed to do this.’
KSI announced earlier this week that he would be taking a hiatus from social media, including YouTube where he has amassed a huge 24 million subscribers, following a barrage of criticism.
The incident occurred during a Sidemen Sunday video, which saw the troupe of internet personalities take on a ‘Countdown challenge’ in which they were tasked with coming up with a nine-letter word like on the Channel 4 show.
KSI, whose team named themselves ‘N******’, struggled to come up with a word before offering one which caused offence – adding: ‘We need points and I don’t mean this maliciously.’
It came as KSI was filmed talking to an imam at a mosque in Bradford, who told onlookers how the boxer was visiting to learn
Sidemen posted a statement apologising for the ‘racial slur’ used in the show and insisted they were ‘truly ashamed that we let ourselves and you guys down in this way’
KSI looks on during a press conference ahead of the fight between himself and Joe Fournier
Joe Fournier pushes KSI as they pose face off during a press conference
Fellow hosts Chunkz and Filly appeared open-mouthed as they laughed at KSI’s answer, while he jokingly said ‘sorry’.
KSI suggested ‘P***’ when attempting to come up with the longest word out of nine letters. Other members of the Sidemen broke out into laughter.
The video prompted anger among fans when it was shared online, with health presenter Dr Ranj Singh branding it ‘simply unacceptable’.
Continuing his apology today, KSI added: ‘Privately I have taken the time to engage in very early conversations with people from south Asian communities and will continue to do so in the coming weeks and months ahead.
‘I will continue to educate myself on the rich history and diverse cultures of south Asia and the struggles faced by its people.
‘I am committed to doing better, being a better ally and use my platform to uplift marginalised voices.
‘I want to say again how truly, truly sorry I am for my actions.
‘I know that it’s going to take time and effort to really regain the trust and respect of those I’ve hurt, and I’m prepared to tirelessly work to make sure I make amends.
‘I hope my sincere apology and commitment to educating myself will be a step towards healing and unity and I fully understand that my actions will speak louder than my words.’
KSI’s grovelling apology in full
First of all I want to address a recent incident in a video whereby my actions affected many, many people, especially in the south Asian community.
I want to take this opportunity to offer my deepest and most sincere apologies for my words and actions.
In a recent video I used a racial term that is offensive to so, so many especially in the south Asian community.
There are no excuses for what I said and I recognise that I’ve caused a lot of hurt and disappointment to so many people that look up to me, and my ignorance has only reinforced the negative stereotypes that have existed for way too long in this country.
I want to express my heartfelt regret for what I said and I want you to know I am genuinely ashamed and deeply sorry for any pain or suffering I have caused.
I realise my words have consequences and as a public figure I have a responsibility to use my platform for good rather than perpetuating discrimination and this week I have failed to do this.
Privately I have taken the time to engage in very early conversations with people from south Asian communities and will continue to do so in the coming weeks and months ahead.
I will continue to educate myself on the rich history and diverse cultures of south Asia and the struggles faced by its people.
I am committed to doing better, being a better ally and use my platform to uplift marginalised voices.
I want to say again how truly, truly sorry I am for my actions. I know that it’s going to take time and effort to really regain the trust and respect of those I’ve hurt, and I’m prepared to tirelessly work to make sure I make amends.
I hope my sincere apology and commitment to educating myself will be a step towards healing and unity and I fully understand that my actions will speak louder than my words.
