Justin Bieber Parted Ways With SB Projects Before Scooter Braun’s Retirement

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On June 17, 2024, Scooter Braun officially announced his retirement from music management, but it looks like he and his long-time client, Justin Bieber, had parted ways long before then.

One day before Scooter Braun broke the news of his retirement, a representative of Justin Bieber confirmed the news that the two were no longer working together in a statement given to People. "Scooter Braun and SB Projects are not involved in Justin's current business or management and will not be involved moving forward. Justin is excited about the projects he is currently working on and is focused on what's in front of him," the statement read.

Last year, there had already been speculation that Bieber and Braun had parted ways when the music manager suffered a highly-memed clientele exodus. However, multiple sources quickly denied the rumors, with Billboard later reporting that Bieber was under contract with Braun's company, SB Projects, through 2027.

In his statement announcing his retirement as a music manager after 23 years, Braun, who is now the sole CEO of HYBE America, wrote: “Over the past two years, I have been heading towards this destination, but it wasn't until last summer that this new chapter became a reality. One of my biggest clients and friends told me that they wanted to spread their wings and go in a new direction. We had been through so much together over the last decade, but instead of being hurt, I saw it as a sign.”

Braun is likely referring to Ariana Grande, another one of his high-profile clients, who officially announced Braun was no longer her manager in August 2023.

"Justin and Ariana were both young teenagers when I began with them. Justin, a 13-year-old kid busking in Canada, and Ariana, a young actress on Nickelodeon," Braun continued in his statement. “To see them both come up to be the legends they are today will forever be one of my greatest honors. As we change our working relationships now, I will continue to root for them with the same passion that I did at each of their humble beginnings.”

"I may have left my role in management, and my business relationship with many clients will alter and change, but this does not mean [SB Projects] as a company [is] leaving," Braun continued, announcing Allison Kaye and Jennifer McDaniels as his successors.

Despite the company still going strong, it looks like Bieber struck a deal to dissolve his contract prior to Braun's retirement. As for his relationship with Grande, on June 12, People reported the duo were back to working together, albeit not in a managerial or musical role, under HYBE America.

"Ariana Grande and HYBE, led by CEO Scooter Braun, look forward to continuing their long-standing business partnership and pursuing creative opportunities in Weverse and REM Beauty," a statement provided by Grande's rep said, adding that the star was managed exclusively by Brandon Creed/Good World Management.

Bieber's team also seems to be going through somewhat of an overhaul lately, as People also announced he had parted ways with Lou Taylor, his business manager of two years, in May following “a mutual and seamless transition.”

Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue

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