Scooter Braun says he continues to support his former artist Justin Bieber, regardless of the growing distance between them.
The Hybe America CEO appeared on the Monday (June 9) episode of podcast The Diary of a CEO and was asked about the current status of his relationship with Bieber. The two parted ways in 2023, one year after the abrupt cancellation of Bieber's Justice World Tour.
In May, TMZ reported that because the tour ended early, Bieber owes Braun $9 million.
Around the 24-minute mark, Braun expressed that he and the pop singer "were able to achieve some amazing things," and that he's "proud" of Bieber and "always rooting for him."
Braun added that their relationship is "not the same that it was."
"I think these things go in ebbs and flows," the music executive said. "There comes a point where I understand he probably wants to go on and show that he can do it."
Because the two "worked together for so long" and saw "extreme success," Braun added that Bieber reached "a point as a man where you want to show the world you can do it on your own."
"And I completely respect that. I think at this point, that’s what he’s doing. Myself and everyone from the old team is rooting for him," Braun continued.
Before Braun's retirement from artist management in 2024, artists like Ariana Grande and Demi Lovato left his roster, while Taylor Swift also had a dispute with Braun, who previously owed the rights to her masters.
Braun denied that he was "hurt" upon his split from Bieber or that he "wanted to experiment with a different career."
"We were both communicating enough with each other. The writing was on the wall," Braun said.
