UPDATED 8/31, 8:40 p.m. ET: A source tells Variety that Ariana Grande is in fact parting ways with Scooter Braun and his management company HYBE.
"Scooter's team is spinning the story. Ariana is leaving both Scooter and HYBE," the insider said. "There is absolutely no truth to her staying."
TMZ received the same anonymous quote.
News of Ariana's exit was first reported by Matthew Belloni of Puck last week.
Reports soon followed claiming Grande and Justin Bieber were still under contract with SB Projects and therefore, still tied to Scooter. However, it appears Ariana is looking to sever all ties with Braun because she has "outgrown him."
"They are friendly but she’s outgrown him and is excited to go in a different direction," the source said this week. "Yes, there are negotiations [with Braun] happening because of contracts. But this is her choice. It’s time for something new."
According to Puck, Grande's relationship with Braun soured after he failed to help her as she was going through a very public divorce and subsequent new relationship with Ethan Slater, who was splitting from his estranged wife.
Since they started working together a decade ago, Ariana has fired and rehired Braun on several occasions, as reported by Vulture.
UPDATED 8/22, 10:10 p.m. ET: Contrary to prior reports, a source connected to Scooter Braun tells TMZ that Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande are still under contract with SB Projects. The famed talent manager is allegedly preparing to step away from management and into a bigger role as the CEO of HYBE America, a subsidiary of HYBE Corporation, the South Korean entertainment company that manages K-pop darlings BTS.
“All of Scooter Braun’s clients are under contract and negotiations have been going on for several months as Scooter steps into his larger role as HYBE America CEO,” a source told Variety. “People are spreading rumors based on what they know, but they are off. Scooter’s team at SB Projects are still handling both Justin and Ariana as they work through what this new structure looks like.”
Another insider gave the magazine a blunter quote: “He’s getting out of management—he has been for years. That’s the real story.”
In addition to Demi Lovato, who was confirmed to have mutually parted from SB Projects, Broadway star Idina Menzel is also being reported to have “let it go” with Braun this year. According to a source with the Hollywood Reporter, the Wicked and Frozen actress signed with Braun in 2019 but parted ways with him in January. Menzel is still listed on the SB Projects website as a client.
But Braun seems to be taking all the headline drama in stride. “Breaking news… I’m no longer managing myself,” he joked on X, playing into a solid 24 hours of memes on the subject.
Braun smashed the like button on one such meme, in fact:
See original story below.
Ariana Grande and Demi Lovato have reportedly parted ways with Scooter Braun.
Monday, Billboard first reported that Lovato—who inked a deal with SB Projects back in 2019—split from Braun and company in July. Per the report, Lovato is actively in the process of finding new management, at least according to the publication’s insiders. A source confirmed to Complex they have parted ways.
As for Grande, whose relationship with Braun extends back a decade, Puck News’ Matthew Belloni first reported news of her split.
Complex has reached out to SB Projects, as well as to reps for Grande and Lovato, for comment. This story may be updated. At the time of this writing, no public statements or otherwise official remarks had been made about this reported developments.
Notably, news of Grande and Lovato going in different directions follows quickly denied rumors that longtime collaborators Justin Bieber and Braun were calling it quits. Braun, of course, has been with Bieber since the beginning of his blockbuster career. Last week, Page Six ran a piece stating that rumors of a split were "not true."
Both Grande and Lovato are still listed on the talent management section of the official SB Projects site. Other past and present clients include Bieber, Carly Rae Jepsen, Lil Dicky, Quavo, and more. J Balvin, who signed a deal with SB in 2019, was reported to have parted ways in May.
Split or not, SB Projects is still actively promoting the upcoming 10th anniversary re-release of Grande’s debut album, Yours Truly.
Braun is the founder of SB Projects and the CEO of HYBE America, which acquired his Ithaca Holdings in 2021.
“Global opportunities for artists become exponential with this partnership,” Braun said when announcing the merger. “This is an opportunity for us to make history and further innovate the music industry and revolutionize the game itself. Its implications for the business will be monumentous for a long time to come.”
