Scooter Braun, the music executive and entrepreneur who is best known for discovering Justin Bieber and buying Taylor Swift’s masters, has been making headlines recently for his alleged split with some of his high-profile clients. However, the truth behind these rumors is not so clear-cut, and there are still many unanswered questions about what’s going on with Braun and his artist roster. Here are some of the facts and speculations that have emerged so far.
The first rumor that sparked the online frenzy was that Justin Bieber, Braun’s most famous and loyal client, had parted ways with him after more than a decade of working together. The speculation was fueled by a tweet from a fan account that claimed to have insider information, and by the fact that Bieber had unfollowed Braun on Instagram.
However, neither Bieber nor Braun have confirmed or denied the rumor, and some sources have suggested that it was a hoax or a misunderstanding. According to Billboard, Bieber is still signed to SB Projects, Braun’s management company, and the unfollowing was a result of Bieber cleaning up his social media accounts. Furthermore, Braun still follows Bieber on Instagram and Twitter, and has posted supportive messages about him in the past few weeks.
The Grande Departure: True or False?
Another rumor that circulated online was that Ariana Grande, one of Braun’s most successful and popular clients, had also left him and signed with another manager. The rumor was based on a report by Variety, which claimed that Grande had joined forces with Wassim “Sal” Slaiby, the manager of The Weeknd and Doja Cat.
However, Variety later updated its article and clarified that Grande had not left Braun, but rather added Slaiby to her management team as a co-manager. Grande herself confirmed this in an Instagram story, where she thanked both Braun and Slaiby for their support and guidance.
She also expressed her excitement for her upcoming projects, which include a new album and a Netflix documentary.
The Lovato Split: Yes or No?
The third rumor that made waves online was that Demi Lovato, who signed with Braun in 2019 after a tumultuous period in her personal and professional life, had also cut ties with him and moved on to another manager. The rumor was based on a tweet from a fan account that claimed to have insider information, and by the fact that Lovato had unfollowed Braun on Instagram.
However, like Bieber and Grande, Lovato has not confirmed or denied the rumor, and there are conflicting reports about her current management status. According to TMZ, Lovato is still signed to SB Projects, but has also hired Scooter’s former business partner Allison Kaye as a co-manager. However, according to Page Six, Lovato has left Braun completely and is now managed by Kaye alone.
Lovato has not addressed the rumors directly, but has posted cryptic messages on her social media accounts that hint at some changes in her life.
The Swift Feud: Over or Ongoing?
One of the most controversial aspects of Braun’s career is his feud with Taylor Swift, who has accused him of bullying her and exploiting her music catalog. The feud began in 2019, when Braun acquired Big Machine Label Group, the record label that owns Swift’s first six albums.
Swift claimed that she was not given a fair chance to buy back her masters, and that Braun had orchestrated some of the worst moments of her career, such as Kanye West’s infamous interruption of her acceptance speech at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. Swift also vowed to re-record her old albums in order to regain control of her music. In 2020, Braun sold Swift’s masters to an investment fund called Shamrock Holdings for $300 million.
Swift said that she was not informed of the deal until it was done, and that she refused to work with Shamrock because Braun would still profit from her music. She also accused Braun of trying to silence her from speaking out about the situation. Braun has not responded directly to Swift’s allegations, but has expressed his desire to resolve the conflict peacefully and privately. He has also praised Swift’s talent and achievements in several interviews.
The Future of SB Projects: Uncertain or Bright?
Despite the rumors and controversies surrounding Braun and his artist roster, SB Projects remains one of the most influential and successful companies in the music industry. According to its website, SB Projects represents more than 20 artists across various genres and platforms, including Tori Kelly, J Balvin, Dan + Shay, Lil Dicky, Zac Brown Band, Blackpink, Martin Garrix, Karlie Kloss, Mythical Entertainment (Rhett & Link), David Dobrik and more.
SB Projects also boasts several divisions that focus on film, television, technology, culture and social good. Some of its recent projects include “Dave”, a comedy series starring Lil Dicky; “Justin Bieber: Seasons”, a documentary series about Bieber’s comeback; “Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil”, a documentary series about Lovato’s overdose and recovery; and “The Demi Lovato Show”, a talk show hosted by Lovato. SB Projects has also partnered with several organizations and initiatives that aim to make a positive impact on the world, such as Pencils of Promise, Fuck Cancer, March for Our Lives, Global Citizen and more.
