Music manager Scooter Braun’s career seems to be going through some serious changes. And it seems like Justin Bieber is the latest pop star who is no longer working with his longtime manager.
“Justin has officially let Scooter go as his manager,” a source told US Weekly, adding that Justin’s wife, Hailey Bieber, “led the charge that led Justin to leave him for another manager.” It’s also alleged that Bieber “has been taking meetings with other managers for three years.”
Grande and Lovato Reportedly Split from Braun
On Aug. 21, Billboard reported that Demi Lovato and Ariana Grande had cut ties with Braun. Though sources quickly denied that Grande was leaving, per Variety. The following day, sources told The Hollywood Reporter that Idina Menzel was also splitting from Braun. Reps for Braun, Grande, Lovato, and Menzel did not immediately respond to POPSUGAR’s request for comment.
Braun shot to fame when he discovered Justin Bieber on YouTube in 2007 and helped kick-start his career. He has since managed Carly Rae Jepsen, Kanye West, the Black Eyed Peas, and David Guetta at different times. And he is the founder of the American record label Schoolboy Records and the holding company Ithaca Ventures, among other ventures. He is also currently the CEO of the Hybe Corporation’s United States leg, Hybe America.
In 2018, Braun found himself at the center of a scandal when news broke that Ithaca Ventures had purchased Big Machine Record Group. This included the masters of Taylor Swift‘s first six albums. Amid heavy criticism from Swift, Braun in turn sold the catalog for $300 million, leading Swift to rerecord all six projects.
Managers and their celebrity clients do often split for a variety of reasons, and there’s no concrete evidence that indicates Braun’s are leaving because of any particular issue. However, his clients’ rapid departures one after the other have made fans speculate there are issues behind the scenes.
Ahead, here’s what we know about what’s happening with Braun’s empire.
WireImage / Daniele Venturelli
May 2023: J Balvin Splits From Scooter Braun
The reggaeton star signed with SB Projects in 2019 but split from Braun in May, according to The Guardian. He has not commented on the split and did not respond to POPSUGAR’s request for comment.
FilmMagic / Axelle/Bauer-Griffin
Aug. 24, 2023: Justin Bieber's Relationship With Scooter Braun Is Called Into Question
On Aug. 17, multiple sources told Puck News that Bieber had split from Braun. However, reps for Bieber and Braun denied the rumours in statements to Billboard. Reps for Bieber did not immediately respond to POPSUGAR’s request for comment.
Now, sources say that the singer has, in fact, dropped his long-time manager.
Getty Images for The Recording Academy / Kevin Mazur
Aug. 21, 2023: Demi Lovato and Ariana Grande Reportedly Split From Scooter Braun
On Aug. 21, sources told Billboard that Lovato had parted ways with Braun, and a source told Variety that the split was amicable the same day the news broke. Billboard also reported that Grande had cut ties with Braun on Aug. 21.
On the same day, a source told Variety that Braun was leaving the management business entirely. “He’s getting out of management – he has been for years. That’s the real story,” the source claimed.
Another source told Variety that the departures are due to changes in Braun’s career. “All of Scooter Braun’s clients are under contract and negotiations have been going on for several months as Scooter steps into his larger role as HYBE America CEO,” the source said. “People are spreading rumors based on what they know, but they are off. Scooter’s team at SB Projects are still handling both Justin and Ariana as they work through what this new structure looks like.”
Yet another source told the outlet that the changes might be due to issues with Braun’s behavior. “He’s imploding . . . It’s a different world since the pandemic,” the source said. “You just can’t be an asshole like that anymore.”
WireImage / Manny Carabel
Aug. 22, 2023: Idina Menzel Reportedly Splits From Scooter Braun
On Aug. 22, sources told The Hollywood Reporter that Menzel had also separated from Braun.
On the same day, Braun appeared to comment on all of the recent news on Twitter. “Breaking news . . . I’m no longer managing myself,” he wrote.
