Photos: Getty Images
Scooter Braun (who manages Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber) bought Taylor Swift's former record label Big Machine Records for $300 million and now he owns all the masters of her music up to 2017's "Reputation".
Taylor posted a super emotional reaction to her Tumblr:
"For years I asked, pleaded for a chance to own my work. Instead I was given an opportunity to sign back up to Big Machine Records and ‘earn’ one album back at a time, one for every new one I turned in. I walked away because I knew once I signed that contract, Scott Borchetta would sell the label, thereby selling me and my future. I had to make the excruciating choice to leave behind my past. Music I wrote on my bedroom floor and videos I dreamed up and paid for from the money I earned playing in bars, then clubs, then arenas, then stadiums. Some fun facts about today’s news: I learned about Scooter Braun’s purchase of my masters as it was announced to the world. All I could think about was the incessant, manipulative bullying I’ve received at his hands for years. "
She called this her "worst case scenario" cause she says he bullied her "for years", even rehashing the Kim/Kanye drama.
There's a lot of talk that Taylor knew the sale was going down, that Scooter reached out several times and she didn't take the opportunity.
Scooter hasn't publicly commented yet. But allegiances between artists and close relationship are split.
Team Scooter
Justin Bieber kicked it off since Taylor specifically mentioned a petty IG post he put up during the Kim/Kanye drama saying "Taylor swift what up". Justin literally had nothing to do with it yet inserted himself into the conversation.
Biebs wrote the lamest non-apology I've ever seen.
Hailey Bieber popped into the comments to say "gentleman".
Scooter's wife Yael defended her man.
Allison Kaye works for Scooter. She doubled down on Yael's thoughts and called out Taylor for bullying, claiming everyone has watched her "drop friends like wilted flowers".
Demi Lovato is one of Scooter's newest clients. She backed him up on her IG story.
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Team Taylor
Taylor's best friend Todrick Hall is Scooter's former client and wow did he spill a whole kettle of tea.
Cara Delavigne had no problem hitting @ in Justin Bieber's comments saying:
"Gentleman?@haileybieber @justinbieber you must be bored. I wish you spent less time sticking up for men and more time trying to understand women and respecting their valid reactions. As a married man, you should be lifting women up instead of tearing them down because you are threatened. I am not sure you actually understand what an apology is. This issue that @taylorswift is talking out is about far more than a picture and you know that. As you said, you haven't spoken to her in years which means you definitely don't understand the situation. I do. Take a step back and try and learn from this. We should all be on the same team. End of story."
Halsey tweeted Taylor Swift's writing style inspired her and that she has her back.
Ariana Grande posted and deleted her support for Taylor on IG story.
What I Think
Taylor (like any songwriter!) should own the rights to their music! Except trying to defame Scooter's character without true receipts just creates unnecessary noise and makes the situation more about him than her. Defeats the purpose to me.