There may be a mass exodus on the horizon for infamous music manager Scott "Scooter" Braun, as rumors circle that several of the industry's biggest names — including Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, and Demi Lovato — have ended their business relations with him.
Braun knew he had struck gold when he discovered the YouTube video of a musical performance by 13-year-old Justin Bieber. Now, 16 years after Bieber's talents made Braun's career, the two may finally be parting ways. Multiple sources confirmed with Puck News that Bieber hasn't spoken to his long-time manager in months, even though a new album is in the works.
Celebs Drop Scooter Braun
"Scooter and SB Projects have not set up one session or done one thing for this [new] record," an unnamed source told PEOPLE. Though Bieber is technically still managed by Scooter's management company, the source said their relationship "has run its course."
Only a day after Demi Lovato's 31st birthday, PEOPLE confirmed that the "Cool for the Summer" singer had also split with SB Projects. Surely, Braun's summer is heating up, but he's tried to keep it cool with a birthday wish to Lovato on Instagram: “HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ONE OF THE KINDEST SOULS OUT THERE. HAPPY BDAY @DDLOVATO!!”
Though Lovato's parting with SB Projects is backed up by several sources, Varietyreported less certainty with Bieber's departure — Puck insists their story is true, while several of Variety's sources "strenuously denied" the allegations. Similarly, Ariana Grande's second departure with Braun was denied by Variety's sources, yet confirmed by Billboard.
Downplaying suspicions of nefarious dealings, some sources believe that Braun is simply shifting more attention to his role as CEO of HYBE America, a branch of the South Korean conglomerate that manages BTS.
No matter how Braun's current controversy plays out, he will forever live with the tarnish on his legacy that is his feud with Taylor Swift. In 2019, Braun purchased Swift's former record label, which made him the owner of the masters of her first six studio albums. Swift described it as her "worst case scenario," given that she had received "incessant, manipulative bullying" at Braun's hands for years.
Taking note of Braun's tumultuous past, music fans and industry insiders suspect that more sinister factors are at play, thanks to Braun's vicious business dealings.
“It’s a different world since the pandemic," one source told Variety. "You just can’t be an asshole like that anymore.”
