Scooter Braun Reflects on Taylor Swift Fallout, Justin Bieber Split

Scooter Braun, a prominent music executive, opened up about his complex relationships with artists Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift during a June 9 appearance on "The Diary of a CEO" podcast. Braun reflected on his long partnership with Bieber, acknowledging their relationship has changed as Bieber seeks to establish himself independently, and expressed continued support for him and other artists like Ariana Grande. On the Taylor Swift controversy stemming from Braun's acquisition of Big Machine Records and her masters, Braun revealed he had hoped to collaborate with Swift despite knowing she had conflicts with artists he managed, but was surprised by her open letter criticizing the sale. Braun also shared feelings of guilt over the pressures young artists face, suggesting he should have ensured better mental health support during their careers. Despite past conflicts, Braun emphasized empathy and support for all the artists he has worked with and recognized the challenges of fame at a young age. He retired from artist management about two and a half years ago to focus on his role as CEO of Hybe America but remains a vocal figure in the industry.