Justin Bieber defended longtime manager Scooter Braun after Taylor Swift criticized the latter of “manipulative bullying,” but his comments have sparked a debate around sexism.
Taylor Swift released a statement on her Tumblr condemning music mogul Scooter Braun (who is also Justin Bieber’s manager) for acquiring Big Machine Records, a music production company that holds all rights to Taylor’s first six albums. In her statement, the singer recalled how she “walked away” once from selling her soul, and how she was saddened to hear about all her “masters” bought “as it was announced to the world” early Sunday morning.
Taylor also spoke of her previous altercation with Kim Kardashian, who allegedly “orchestrated an illegally recorded snippet of a phone call to be leaked.”
She also recollected how Scooter’s client “Kanye West organized a revenge porn music video which strips [her] body naked.”
Justin Bieber took to his Instagram to denounce Taylor’s comments about his manager, defending him by accusing Taylor of trying to get “sympathy.”
His full statement lept to defending Scooter as he said what Taylor did was unfair:
“Hey Taylor. First of all i would like to apologize for posting that hurtful instagram post, at the time i thought it was funny but looking back it was distasteful and insensitive.. I have to be honest though it was my caption and post that I screenshoted of scooter and Kanye that said “taylor swift what up” he didnt have anything to do with it and it wasnt even a part of the conversation in all actuality he was the person who told me not to joke like that.. Scooter has had your back since the days you graciously let me open up for you.! As the years have passed we haven’t crossed paths and gotten to communicate our differences, hurts or frustrations. So for you to take it to social media and get people to hate on scooter isn’t fair. What were you trying to accomplish by posting that blog? seems to me like it was to get sympathy u also knew that in posting that your fans would go and bully scooter. Anyway, One thing i know is both scooter and i love you. I feel like the only way to resolve conflict is through communication. So banter back and fourth online i dont believe solves anything. I’m sure Scooter and i would love to talk to you and resolve any conflict, pain or or any feelings that need to be addressed. Neither scooter or i have anything negative to say about you we truly want the best for you. I usually don’t rebuttal things like this but when you try and deface someone i loves character thats crossing a line..”
Fellow artist Halsey came out to support Taylor on Twitter, saying “Taylor Swift is a huge reason why I always insisted to write my own music…she deserves to own the painstaking labor of her heart.”
🦋 @taylorswift13 pic.twitter.com/1iI2tCr8my
— h (@halsey) June 30, 2019
The feud sparked a debate on Twitter, with many defending Taylor for simply wanting full rights to her own music.
Confused how Taylor Swift standing up for herself and speaking truth and trying to change the music industry is her asking for sympathy?!? She doesn’t want sympathy. She wants to have a chance to own HER music.
— Katie Krause (@Katie_Krause) June 30, 2019
if a man talk shits then you owe him nothing ⚠️ @taylorswift13#WeStandWithTaylor
— SEBAS (@sebasgmouret) July 1, 2019
It’s important to stand up for yourself, what is right, and true! @taylorswift13 #IStandWithTaylor
— Heidi Montag (@heidimontag) July 1, 2019
This whole Scooter B acquiring Taylor Swift's discography is just proof that the music industry executives only care about the money. It's why Beyoncé started her own label. Its why Prince and Mariah locked up their material. Artists should own their OWN shit #WeStandWithTalyor
— Carlos (@Carlosaudade) July 1, 2019
Taylor Swift didn’t put her heart, soul, blood, sweat, tears, hard work, passion, inspiration, dedication and her WHOLE SELF on the past records for Scooter Braun to own her music for his greediness that is absolutely disgusting and has NO right to do that! #WeStandWithTaylor ❤️
— ً (@perrycrave) July 1, 2019
Twitter users leaped to defend Taylor while calling out Justin Bieber for his patterned sexism and unapologetic mansplaining..
Justin Bieber cheated on Selena Gomez multiple times, defended and supported Kanye West after bullying Taylor Swift, he's jealous of Shawn Mendes being called the Prince of Pop and now being hypocrite accusing Taylor as a bully? Lol. Cancelledt.#WeStandWithTaylor
— Theo (@theoformoso13) July 1, 2019
i've lost all my respect for justin bieber a long time ago when he cheated on selena and when he called chris brown a good man knowing that the guy beat rihanna up and now this, calling out taylor for speaking up and defending herself when he himself is a BULLY#WeStandWithTaylor
— Jenlisa S. Real (@kinky_bp) July 1, 2019
justin bieber disappointing stan culture once again after he's claimed he's a new man yet proceeds to mansplain… practice what you preach JB #WeStandWithTaylor pic.twitter.com/4m1PpmVSnZ
— 𝓑 (@tearsinversace) July 1, 2019
Justin also faced backlash for deleting Cara Delevingne’s comment under his post after she schooled him for blindly defending men at the cost of “trying to understand women.”
Justin bieber really deleted Cara Delevingne comment BUT GUESS WHAT ? She posted a screenshot on her story. We love her 😭😂#WeStandWithTaylor pic.twitter.com/pGmZrBde8g
— Justine 🍃 (@asteencc) July 1, 2019
no one could've given this manchild @justinbieber a fitting reply than @Caradelevingne which he apparently deleted thinking no one would notice! What a butthurt loser! shameless of his trophy wife to sit there and applaud him! #WeStandWithTaylorSwift #WeStandWithTalyor pic.twitter.com/bNRvpHT89N
— belle's 🦋✨ (@bellethewinebae) July 1, 2019
demi telling todrick he’s lying about scooter’s homophobia has the same energy as justin bieber deleting cara’s comment. silencing people who have a different opinion than you is NOT it ma’am #WeStandWithTaylor
— sara 🌈 (@valyrianswift) July 1, 2019
Justin Bieber #WeStandWithTaylor pic.twitter.com/R0LAeJsRYt
— Cleyson (@_Thaistressada_) July 1, 2019
swifties led by cara, selena, and halsey on their way to ending justin bieber and scooter's whole career #WeStandWithTaylorpic.twitter.com/Rmv8utHJcv
— d. (@dnzlle) July 1, 2019
Justin Bieber called domestic abuse a "mistake" and then had the audacity to criticize Taylor Swift for being upset her music was stolen. What an absolute piece of trash #WeStandWithTaylor
— Krys Lynggaard© 🔥 (@holiesbenson_) July 1, 2019