Taylor Swift Says Scooter Braun Won’t Let Her Perform Old Songs On TV

Mike Nied @mikeynied | November 14, 2019 8:24 pm

CREDIT: Getty Images

UPDATE: Big Machine Records shared a statement with Variety regarding Taylor’s post from last night. “As Taylor Swift’s partner for over a decade, we were shocked to see her Tumblr statements yesterday based on false information. At no point did we say Taylor could not perform on the AMAs or block her Netflix special. In fact, we do not have the right to keep her from performing live anywhere,” it reads. The statement also alleges Taylor owes “millions of dollars and multiple assets to our company” and claims attempts have been made to resolve the situation.

Taylor responded via a representative in another statement shared with Variety. “Please notice in Big Machine’s statement, they never actually deny either claim Taylor said last night in her post,” it reads. Additionally, regarding claims of owed funds, Team Swift alleges Big Machine owes her money. Not the other way around. “Lastly, Big Machine is trying to deflect and make this about money by saying she owes them but, an independent, professional auditor has determined that Big Machine owes Taylor $7.9 million dollars of unpaid royalties over several years.” Read the full response here.

Taylor Swift will receive the Artist Of The Decade Award at the 2019 American Music Awards later this month. The 29-year-old planned to mark the occasion by performing a medley during the show, but that is now in question. In a lengthy message posted to social media, the Lover hitmaker alleges that Scooter Braun and Scott Borchetta are blocking her from performing her old songs on television. “They claim that would be re-recording my music before I’m allowed to next year,” she explained. Not only that, but the pair also allegedly refusing to let Netflix use her music or performance footage for a new documentary. Surprise, one is in the works!

According to Taylor, there is one way around their decision. “Scott Borchetta told my team that they’ll allow me to use my music only if I do these things,” she said. “If I agree to not re-record copycat versions of my songs next year (which is something I’m both legally allowed to do and looking forward to) and also told my team that I need to stop talking about him and Scooter Braun.” The superstar made waves back in June by speaking out after Braun acquired ownership of her masters through his purchase of Big Machine Label Group. “This is my worst case scenario,” she wrote at the time.

“When I left my masters in Scott’s hands, I made peace with the fact that eventually he would sell them. Never in my worst nightmares did I imagine the buyer would be Scooter.” During an appearance on Good Morning America, she announced plans to re-record those albums to finally gain ownership. Why did Taylor decide to speak out again? “I feel very strongly that sharing what is happening to me could change the awareness level for other artists and potentially help them avoid a similar fate.”

“This is WRONG,” she added. “Neither of these men had a hand in the writing of these songs. They did not create the relationship I have with my fans.” She proceeded to ask for assistance from her fans and anyone who has a connection to Braun or Borchetta. That would include the artists that Braun manages including Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber and Demi Lovato. “Please let Scott Borchetta and Scooter Braun know how you feel about this,” Taylor requested. “I just want to be able to perform MY music. That’s it.” Neither Scott nor Scooter have responded to her claims yet. We’ll update the story as they do.

In the meantime read Taylor’s statement below.