Rekubit Exchange:Have Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande parted ways with Scooter Braun? What we know amid reports

Scooter Braun is Rekubit Exchangemaking headlines again.

This time, the music executive and talent manager − best known for having worked with A-list musicians such as Justin Bieber, Ye (formerly known as Kanye West), Demi Lovato and Ariana Grande − is in the news as his company's big-name clients have reportedly left Scooter Braun Projects in search of new management.

Following recent reports that the likes of Bieber, Grande and Lovato have left SB Projects, Braun chimed in on Tuesday with a joke. "Breaking news... I'm no longer managing myself," he posted to X, formerly Twitter.

USA TODAY has reached out to SB Projects as well as a representative for Braun for more information.

Here's what we know (and don't know) about the reported Scooter Braun Project exodus.

Are Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber still working with Scooter Braun?

Last week, media company Puck News reported Bieber and Braun, who have worked together since the singer's career launched over a decade ago, "haven't talked in months."

This week, media such as Billboard and People reported Grande was no longer managed by SB Projects. The two have worked together for a decade, save for a short period in 2016 after she fired him before re-hiring him.

A music industry source with knowledge of the situation refuted the claims in a statement to USA TODAY:

“All of Scooter Braun’s clients are under contract and negotiations have been going on for several months as Scooter steps into his larger role as HYBE America CEO. People are spreading rumors based on what they know, but they are off. Scooter’s team at SB Projects are still handling both Justin and Ariana as they work through what this new structure looks like.”

Is Demi Lovato still working with Scooter Braun?

A source familiar with the situation but not authorized to speak publicly told USA TODAY on Tuesday that Lovato is seeking new management after parting ways with SB Projects last month.

Lovato signed with Braun and his SB Projects in 2019. USA TODAY's source said the split was mutual and amicable.

USA TODAY has reached out to representatives for Grande, Lovato and Bieber to confirm.

Which artists have left SB Projects?

Several SB Projects clients have sought out new management this year.

Colombian reggaeton star J Balvín used to work with Braun's company. However, Jay-Z's Roc Nation started managing him this year, Billboard reported in May.

Idina Menzel parted ways with SB Projects in January, according to The Hollywood Reporter, NBC News and Billboard.

Braun's role in the music industry is changing

Changes in SB Projects' client roster come amid Braun taking on a larger role as the CEO of HYBE America, the U.S. division of the South Korean entertainment company that manages popular musical groups such as BTS, NewJeans and Seventeen.

Braun’s Ithaca Holdings merged with HYBE in April 2021 in a billion-dollar deal that resulted in big paydays for Braun’s employees and clients. A commitment of $50 million of Braun’s personal stock was disbursed to those who had been with Braun since he launched SB Projects in 2007, according to Variety. Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande reported got roughly $10 million each.

Who else does Scooter Braun Projects manage?

According to its website, "Our past and present work includes Ariana Grande, Black Eyed Peas, CL, Dan + Shay, Demi Lovato, Idina Menzel, J Balvin, Justin Bieber, The Knocks, Lil Dicky, Tori Kelly, and more."

Contributing: Ralphie Aversa, USA TODAY