Justin Bieber will continue to be managed by Scooter Braun for now.
An insider told People On Tuesday, the 29-year-old pop star made progress on a new album without actively collaborating with 42-year-old Braun.
The Canadian pop star is “still managed” by Braun, who he hasn’t spoken to in nearly a year, numerous insiders told the outlet.
Details of the long-standing business relationship come amid a tumultuous time for the entertainment executive, who recently lost Ariana Grande and Demi Lovato as clients of his company SB Projects.
“Justin has been working on his new record for the past six months,” a source told the outlet. “Scooter and SB Projects didn’t set up a single session or do anything for this record,” the source said, adding that “the Peaches singer’s relationship with Scooter has run its course.”
The latest: Justin Bieber, 29, is working on a new album without actively collaborating with manager Scooter Braun, 42, who recently lost Ariana Grande, 30, and Demi Lovato, 31, as clients
Lovato parted ways with Braun on Monday after four years as her manager; Grande stopped using Braun as her manager on Monday after ten years, an insider told the publication, adding that it was the singer’s choice.
“They’re friendly, but she’s outgrown him and is excited to go in a different direction,” the source said of Grande, adding that “it’s time for something new.”
The source noted that “negotiations are happening because of contracts.”
An industry insider told People that “with Scooter fulfilling his expanded role” as US CEO of South Korean entertainment company HYBE, several of his clients are “under contract and have been negotiating for several months.”
The insider said that “people spread rumors based on what they know, but they are wrong” in their speculations.
“Scooter’s team at SB Projects is still working with both Justin and Ariana as they figure out what this new structure looks like,” the source said.
An industry insider told People that “with Scooter fulfilling his expanded role” as US CEO of South Korean entertainment company HYBE, several of his clients are “under contract and have been negotiating for several months.”
The insider said that “people spread rumors based on what they know, but they are wrong” in their speculations.
The Canadian pop star is “still managed” by Braun, who he hasn’t spoken to in nearly a year. Pictured last year in Hungary
Bieber, pictured in May 2023, has been working on a new album for the past six months
Grande stopped using Braun as her manager on Monday after ten years, an insider told the publication, adding that it was the singer’s choice. Pictured in 2018 in New York
“Scooter’s team at SB Projects is still working with both Justin and Ariana as they figure out what this new structure looks like,” the source said.
Braun discovered Bieber on YouTube when the Baby singer was 13 years old, eventually bringing him to the label he worked for with Usher, Raymond Braun Media Group.
Braun talked about the “very different bond” he shares with the Grammy-winning artist during his interview Complex in 2012.
“The common misconception—because I’m thirteen years older than him—is that it’s a little brother,” he said. “It’s more like an uncle or a father.”
Braun said he “kind of realized he was on the road with Justin’s mom” Pattie Mallette, adding that “she’s not a disciplinarian, and he needed that person in his life.”
Braun and his longtime client were pictured together in LA in January 2020
The entertainment executive and A-list pop star reportedly hasn’t spoken in months
Bieber and Braun were photographed in November 2012 at the American Music Awards in LA
Braun and Big Machine Records CEO Scott Borchetta were pictured in Montecito, California in June 2019 after signing a deal for Taylor Swift’s master recordings
A major controversy between Braun and Taylor Swift erupted in June 2019 when Braun bought Swift’s master recordings from Big Machine Records CEO Scott Borchetta.
In a June 2019 Tumblr post, Swift expressed her disappointment with the high-profile transaction.
“Essentially, my musical legacy is about to be in the hands of someone who has tried to dismantle it,” Swift said. “For years I have been asking and pleading for a chance to take ownership of my work. Instead, I was given the chance to re-sign with Big Machine Records and ‘earn’ one album at a time, one for every new one I turned in.”
Nearly a year and a half later, Braun sold the master recordings for more than $300 million.
Swift has said she plans to re-record her first six records, having released Fearless (Taylor’s Version), Red (Taylor’s Version), and Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) albums, including 1989 (Taylor’s Version) this fall comes out.