Scooter Braun deactivates Instagram account after being unfollowed by Justin Bieber amid rift rumors

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Former talent manager Scooter Braun deactivated his Instagram account after being unfollowed by pop star Justin Bieber on the social media platform on Saturday, January 4, reported The Express Tribune.

Bieber has been Braun's client for over one-and-half decades. The move comes amid growing speculation of their relationship being strained in recent times.

Justin Bieber and Scooter Braun's association

Scooter Braun became associated with Justin Bieber in 2008 when the executive started managing the then-13-year-old singer after discovering him on YouTube, as per Billboard.

Braun had a key role to play in positioning Bieber as a famous and successful music superstar.

However, in the past few years their relationship has hit rough waters. In 2023, Bieber was reported to be "actively looking at how he might extract himself" from the partnership.

Braun stepped back from management in 2024 but as a result of a series of amendments made to Bieber's deal with Braun in 2020, the pop star was still under contract for about four more years as of August 2023. Insiders claimed that Bieber was focused on resolving his predicament with Braun at the time.

Bieber's last album, 'Justice', was released in 2021, at a time when he was still represented by Braun. It went on to become his eight entry at the top spot on the Billboard 200.

Scooter Braun retires from management in 2024

Scooter Braun announced his retirement from management in June 2024, following which a number of artists left his SB Projects, including Ariana Grande, Demi Lovato and J Balvin.

In a statement shared by Braun on Instagram at the time, Braun wrote, "23 years. That’s how long I have been a music manager."

He reportedly dedicated an entire paragraph to Bieber and Grande, stating, "Justin and Ariana were both young teenagers when I began with them. Justin a 13 year old kid busking in Canada and Ariana a young actress on Nickelodeon. 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 continues to be the CEO of HYBE America — the North American iteration of South Korean entertainment company HYBE.