Last week, news broke that Ariana Grande had split with longtime manager Scooter Braun. This followed news that former SB Projects client Demi Lovato had parted ways with Braun. Since, we also confirmed that Idina Menzel has left the roster.
At first, a source familiar with the situation called news of Grande’s departure “rumors.” They continued to say, “Negotiations have been going on for several months as Scooter steps into his larger role as HYBE America CEO…” (In 2021, Braun sold SB Projects’ parent company, Ithaca Holdings, to the South Korean entertainment conglomerate HYBE. Braun is currently HYBE America’s CEO.) “Scooter’s team at SB Projects are still handling Ariana as they work through what this new structure looks like,” added the source.
But now, a source close to the situation tells Billboard, “Scooter’s team is spinning the story. Ariana is leaving both Scooter and HYBE. There is absolutely no truth to her staying.”
Last week, sources close to Grande said she was planning to part with Braun on friendly terms, more because she’s “excited to go in a different direction” and because she’s “outgrown him” than because of his C-suite distractions. But this week, Grande unfollowed Braun on social media.
Grande has been with Braun and his SB Projects since 2013, the year she released her breakthrough debut album, Yours Truly. On Friday, she released the 10th-anniversary deluxe digital edition of the album, which includes new live recordings of “Honeymoon Avenue,” “Daydreamin’” and more tracks.
Meanwhile, Braun’s other longtime client, Justin Bieber, remains in his deal. Despite having four years left in his contract, as Billboard reported, Bieber is actively looking at how he might end their relationship with the help of his new music lawyer David Lande.
