YouTube star Felix ‘Pewdiepie’ Kjellberg has posted a video in which he provides a response for his behaviour earlier this week.
The personality uploaded a 1:35 long video where he provides a statement about him saying the N-word during a Playerunknown’s Battleground livestream.
Kjellberg says that the word “just slipped out” in the heat of the moment, saying that he finds the use of this sort of language in video games both “immature and stupid”. He admits that there are no excuses for his use of this language.
Referencing prior controversies, including the YouTuber paying two man on Fiverr to hold a sign above their heads saying ‘Death to All Jews’, he says he is disappointed in himself for seemingly learning nothing from them.
“I’m really sorry if I sorry if I offended, hurt or disappointed anyone with all of this,” he said. “Being in the position I am in, I should know better. I know I can’t keep messing up like this.”
Note that we haven’t said that Pewdiepie has apologised in this news story, because though he has responded and taken ownership for his actions, this isn’t the first time the star has been in this situation. By his own admission, it does appear that he has learnt nothing from prior controversies. Note he does not address the racial element of what he said, either.
Whether or not this is a sincere response and something that the YouTuber will actually learn from is yet to be seen. The phrase "I'm sorry" starts to ring somewhat hollow when you have to say it over and over again for similar transgressions. Fingers crossed he actually has learnt from his mistakes.
The full video is below: