Scooter Braun, once one of the most powerful managers in the music industry, has opened up about the guilt he feels from managing young stars like Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, and Demi Lovato.
Speaking on The Diary of a CEO podcast, Braun shared candid reflections on his past, admitting he now sees things differently after doing personal work later in life.
“At this age, I feel a lot of guilt,” Braun said. “I worked with so many artists, and I hadn’t taken the time to look at myself or do the therapy myself until I was older.” He continued, “So I didn’t understand at 25, at 27, at 30, that each of them came from very unique backgrounds. They had their own stuff, their own families, their own childhoods. And all of it was on display for the world.”
Braun, who played a massive role in launching and sustaining Bieber’s career, said he’s proud of the success they achieved but acknowledges that he could have handled things differently, especially when it comes to mental health. “I’m very proud of the job that we did and how much we cared and how much the team cared for all the years that we did it,” he said. “But it doesn’t mean I don’t look back and wish that I knew what I know now.”
Looking back, Braun wishes he had prioritized therapy, not just for the artists but for everyone on the team. “I think I would have had a therapist on the road for all of us,” he said. “I would’ve slowed down all of us.”
Scooter Braun regrets managing young artists the way he did, not in terms of business success, but for not understanding their emotional needs as they grew up in the spotlight. His comments add to ongoing conversations around the pressures of fame and the need for mental health support in the entertainment world.
Braun announced his retirement from music management in 2024, stepping away after over two decades in the industry. In a statement, he said, “I have been blessed to have had a Forrest Gump-like life while witnessing and taking part in the journeys of some of the most extraordinarily talented people the world has ever seen.”
He ended his message with a mix of gratitude and humility, saying, “I’m constantly pinching myself and asking, ‘How did I get here?’ And after 23 years, this chapter as a music manager has come to an end.”
Braun’s honesty shows a new side of the industry, one where success is being redefined to include well-being and emotional growth, not just fame and chart-topping hits.
Jamie Wells has a knack for getting the inside scoop on Hollywood’s biggest stars and up-and-coming talent. With a sharp eye for industry trends and an ear for viral moments, Jamie covers everything from red-carpet events to behind-the-scenes drama in movies, TV, and celebrity culture.
