London - KSI, a judge on "Britain's Got Talent," is facing widespread condemnation following the resurfacing of a 2017 video where he made a remark about hitting pregnant women. The clip, circulating online and viewed over 15 million times, shows the influencer, whose real name is Olajide Olatunji, responding to his mother's advice about safe sex with, "If she gets pregnant I’ll just punch the baby." Domestic violence campaigners have labeled the comment as "vile" and unacceptable, arguing that such statements trivialize serious issues.
The controversy stems from an unearthed YouTube video titled "How Well Do My Parents Know Me." In the segment, KSI's mother, Yinka Olatunji, urged him to always use a condom. His response, intended as a joke according to reports, has drawn sharp criticism. A spokesperson for Women's Aid stated, "Comments like this are never acceptable to make, even if it is meant as a joke." The charity highlighted that pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to domestic abuse.
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The unearthed clip has reignited discussions about KSI's past controversies. Social media has seen a surge of negative reactions, with some viewers expressing disgust at an individual with a history of problematic remarks being given a platform on prime-time television. His net worth is reportedly around £21 million.
KSI's representatives have stated that the video dates back nearly a decade and that he now views his past language with "deep regret," acknowledging it was "stupid and wrong." He has also been quoted as saying he was "kidding" and "not proud of it," while maintaining that his words do not reflect who he is today. The video has since been removed from KSI's YouTube channel. This incident follows a pattern of past apologies from KSI for remarks including racial slurs, transgender slurs, and trivializing rape in earlier years.
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"Britain's Got Talent" and KSI's representatives have been contacted for comment. The show's panel, which includes Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon, and Amanda Holden, is now under scrutiny as questions arise about accountability and the impact of celebrity apologies. The long reach of online content and evolving public standards are central to the ongoing discourse surrounding the incident.
