Slipknot guitarist shares cryptic message after bandmate Sid Wilson was 'fired'

Slipknot guitarist Jim Root shared a cryptic message with fans just hours after a report revealed that longtime bandmate Sid Wilson had been booted from the legendary metal band.

'Don't believe everything you read,' Root wrote on his Instagram Story alongside a photo appearing to show a backyard pool, while Slipknot's 2008 track 'Till We Die played in the background.

'Stop. Think. Take a breathe. Sit with it for awhile. Maybe. Just maybe even wait until there's more information,' he added.

Root, 54, appeared to offer the first public reaction to the news, though he stopped short of revealing any further details about the reported ousting. 

His cryptic message came shortly after TMZ reported Friday that Wilson, Slipknot’s 49-year-old DJ and keyboardist, had been permanently removed from the band after 28 years as one of its most recognizable members. 

An insider close to the group told the outlet about the development, though the reason behind the sudden fallout remains unclear.

The rest of Slipknot’s current lineup, including founding member Shawn 'Clown' Crahan, guitarist Mick Thomson and front man Corey Taylor, have yet to comment on Wilson’s exit.

The Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for comment. 

The last member to leave Slipknot before Wilson was drummer Jay Weinberg, who departed in November 2023 after the band announced they had 'decided to part ways.'

The Grammy-winning group announced the move on its official website, beginning with a message thanking him for his 'dedication and passion.'

'No one can ever replace Joey Jordison's original sound, style or energy, but Jay honored Joey's parts and contributed to the last three albums and we, the band, and the fans appreciate it,' the statement read.

The comment appeared to reference original drummer Joey Jordison, who left Slipknot in 2013 and died two years ago. 

'Slipknot is intent on evolving,' the statement continued. 'The band has decided to make a creative decision and to part ways with Jay. We wish Jay all the best and are very excited for what the future holds.'

Wilson, who split from fiancée Kelly Osbourne earlier this year, joined Slipknot in early 1998 as the band grew into its iconic nine-member lineup - ultimately becoming the final addition to the group’s legendary roster. 

He became unmistakable for his gas-mask-inspired look and chaotic high-energy performances, which included stage dives and scrambling up venue structures. 

The uncertainty surrounding Wilson’s reported departure comes as he faces turmoil in his personal life after calling off his engagement to Kelly Osbourne, 41, in March. The former couple share a three-year-old son, Sidney. 

Their split came just seven months after Wilson proposed to Osbourne in an emotional moment at her late father Ozzy Osbourne’s final Black Sabbath concert in Birmingham in 2025. 

At the time, a source told People: 'She’s been in a challenging headspace for several reasons. It’s been very emotional for her. She’s had a lot going on.'

'Ozzy’s death still affects her deeply. She’s very focused on being there for her mom right now. They’re incredibly close, and that’s been her priority,' the insider added.

'It’s been hard for Kelly and Sid to balance everything, especially with different priorities about where to spend time. This has put a strain on their relationship.' 

Over the years, the band's lineup has undergone dramatic changes. Bassist Paul Gray died from an accidental drug overdose in 2010, while drummer Joey Jordison died in his sleep in 2021 after leaving the band in 2013. 

Percussionist Chris Fehn was dismissed in 2019 following a legal dispute over compensation, and keyboardist Craig Jones exited in 2023 under circumstances that have never been publicly explained.