Apparently, Justin Bieber’s breakdown in 2014 was much worse than we realized
There are few jobs that seem more glamorous on the surface than being a manager to the stars. But the reality can actually be pretty draining. Catering to celebrities’ needs day in and day out? No thank you. But sometimes, managers become celebrities in their own right. That’s the case with Scooter Braun.
In a recent interview with The Wall Street Journal Magazine, Braun paints a picture that is not so sparkly to look at. Especially when it comes Justin Bieber’s career. The manager said that Bieber’s past struggles were worse than people realized.
Braun has seen his fair share of ups and downs in the music industry. Aside from the Biebs, Braun also manages Ariana Grande and Kanye West.
To recap: The “Sorry” singer went through a tough time back in 2014. Bieber got a DUI and spent some time in jail, which kickstarted a public relations nightmare. There were also rumors of alleged drug use. But it turns out that things weren’t as bad as they seemed — they were even worse.
Braun opened up about the struggles Bieber went through — and his own part in them.
"It was worse than people realized. I failed him day after day. We were living in hell because he was in such a dark place," Braun told The Wall Street Journal Magazine. "I have inconveniences, and other people have problems. Mine feel important, but they’re not. They’re not life or death. Justin’s stuff got to a point where it was a problem."
Despite Bieber’s difficult year, Braun stuck to the promise he made when the singer was just 13 years old.
"Some of the biggest people in the industry, people invested in Justin’s career, told me, ‘It’s over. Focus on something else. That kid is done,'" Braun continued. "I made a promise to him when he was 13 that I would never give up on him. I plan on keeping that promise."
Bieber, to his credit, is thankful to Braun for his role in helping him get back on his feet.
"He’s great at what he does. But more than that, I am proud of what a good man he is," Braun said. "He changed my life. He is the best in the business."
Sounds like a good manager to have around.
