Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, Demi Lovato, and J Balvin have all cut ties with HYBE America, a subsidiary led by Scooter Braun

Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, Demi Lovato, and J Balvin have all cut ties with HYBE America, a subsidiary led by Scooter Braun.

In 2021, Braun’s sale of Ithaca Holdings, the parent company of SB Projects, to HYBE marked a turning point. Braun is currently HYBE America’s CEO and his role in the acquisition of hip-hop label Quality Control puts into question his role. 

The departure of these stars raises eyebrows about a possible connection related to Taylor Swift’s copyright dispute with Braun.

Billboard reported that both Lovato, 31, and Grande, 30, have severed ties with the music mogul, though the reasoning for the split remains unclear. Entertainment Weekly also confirmed reports of the business breakup.

Grande signed with Braun’s entertainment group SB Projects in 2013. That same year, she released her debut album Yours Truly. It is not clear when exactly Grande reportedly ended the professional relationship with Braun, 42.

Ariana Grande is the latest artist who has decided to part ways with Hollywood manager Scooter Braun and his company SB Projects – four years after he became embroiled in a nasty feud with Taylor Swift over the rights to her music.

To make matters all the more murky, the news that the 7 Rings hitmaker, 30, split from her longtime manager, 42, came on the same day it was revealed that singer Demi Lovato has also decided to part ways with Braun. Braun, Lovato and Grande have not commented publicly on the situation.

Lovato and Grande are not the only clients to recently exit Braun’s talent roster. In May, popular Colombian reggaeton singer J Balvin left SB Projects to instead sign with the entertainment agency Roc Nation.

Ariana has not addressed her split from Braun as of yet, but did share an Instagram snap promoting her new Sweetner Foundation, from her makeup line r.e.m. beauty, which is set to launch on August 24. 

Grande has not released an album since 2020’s Positions.

With the upcoming 10th anniversary of Yours Truly, the singer is planning a deluxe digital release of the album this Friday.

It will also include newly recorded live performances of Honeymoon Avenue and Daydreamin’.

Outside of music Grande has been busy with her acting career and will star in the film adaptation of musical Wicked, with the first part set to be released in November of 2024. 

Fans quickly took online to share their thoughts following the news of the split. ‘Everyone is leaving Scooter Braun even Ariana left!’ one wrote.

‘Ariana no longer under Scooter Braun’s management. I have prayed for days like these.’