Justin Bieber’s split from longtime manager Scooter Braun wasn’t just personal—it was financial.
At the heart of their fractured relationship lies a bitter dispute over millions. While Bieber’s camp insists Braun took advantage of him, an extensive TMZ investigation reveals a more complicated—and possibly contradictory—story.
After Bieber’s “Justice” tour unraveled in 2022, several insiders say the singer was in dire financial straits. He reportedly owed AEG, the tour promoter, $24 million after canceling shows despite receiving a $40 million advance.
To rescue him, Braun’s company, Hybe, stepped in and paid off the debt. In return, Bieber signed a 10-year note, promising to reimburse the company. But after making a single payment, he allegedly stopped, citing a lack of funds.
Around that time, Bieber’s business manager, Lou Taylor, began reviewing the books. She reportedly concluded Braun had been overpaid $26 million in commissions.
In response, Hybe conducted its own internal audit, which came to the opposite conclusion—that Braun had actually been underpaid by $1 million. Braun reportedly waived that amount, but Bieber’s team dismissed the findings, accusing Hybe of protecting its interests.
To settle the matter, Hybe hired PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), one of the world’s top accounting firms. After a six-month investigation, PwC completed its audit in April. According to documents reviewed by TMZ, the firm concluded Bieber owed Braun approximately $8.8 million. Bieber’s team did not contest the findings, though they conducted their own review. They declined to share those results.
This financial rift adds another layer to Bieber’s recent troubles. His professional and personal life has grown increasingly unstable in the past few years.
His abrupt tour cancellation, recurring mental health struggles, and increasing reliance on spiritual guidance through his church have fueled concern from fans and insiders alike. His marriage to Hailey Bieber has also drawn scrutiny, with public appearances often fueling speculation about their dynamic.
An upcoming documentary explores this unraveling in detail—charting Bieber’s shift from global pop icon to a star wrestling with fame, faith, and fortune. The financial fallout with Braun is just one chapter in a much deeper narrative.
What began as a lucrative partnership between teen idol and powerhouse manager now stands as a cautionary tale about fame, finances, and fractured trust.
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