Scooter Braun will be leaving the world of artist management after 23 years in the business to focus on his responsibilities as CEO of Hybe America.
The news isn’t entirely surprising, given that Braun, who is best known as the manager of Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande, was rumored to have parted ways with both artists last year.
Braun took on the role as CEO of Hybe America in January 2023 after selling his investment company Ithaca Holdings – the parent company of his management firm SB Projects – to Hybe America for approximately $1 billion USD. Following the deal, Idina Menzel and Demi Lovato also parted ways with Braun.
In a statement announcing his retirement, Braun described leaving the management industry as a long time coming.
“Over the past 2 years I have been heading towards this destination, but it wasn’t until last summer that this new chapter became a reality,” Braun wrote. “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 also detailed starting his career at just 19 years old, the stresses of being “on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week” and not being able to spend time with his children.
He went on to list off touching moments in his career, from J Balvin’s come-up to The Kid Laroi’s first arena show, as well as the progression of Bieber and Grande’s careers.
“Justin and Ariana were both young teenagers when I began with them,” he started. “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.”
Braun noted that SB Projects will still continue operations under new managers.
