Advertisement

Scooter Braun denies 'malicious intent' in buying Taylor Swift's back catalogue

Taylor Swift arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center on Monday, Aug. 26, 2019, in Newark, N.J. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Taylor Swift arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center in 2019, in Newark, N.J. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

Talent manager Scooter Braun has insisted there was no “malicious intent” when he bought Taylor Swift’s back catalogue.

Braun’s company Ithaca Holdings purchased the label that owned the rights to Swift’s first six albums in June.

The pop star, 29, responded by accusing Braun of “incessant, manipulative bullying” through her career, and said she felt “sad” and “grossed out” about him snapping up her music.

Read more: Ed Sheeran supports Taylor Swift

However, the record executive has now told the Wide Open podcast: "I don't do anything with malicious intent.

“I try to do things above board.

“I try to do the right thing.”

Scooter Braun attends the 10th anniversary Pencils of Promise gala at the Duggal Greenhouse on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018, in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Scooter Braun attends the 10th anniversary Pencils of Promise gala at the Duggal Greenhouse on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018, in New York. (Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)

Braun, 38, went on: "Not everyone's going to be happy with everything that you do, and I think in the long-term - I've learned this over time - the truth always comes out, and I'm confident in that."

After the sale in June, Swift posted a message on Tumblr alleging that she had not been told about the deal until it was public and claiming she had suffered bullying at Braun’s hands “for years”, allegations Braun’s camp denied.

Read more: Justin Bieber jumps into Taylor Swift and Scooter Braun row

“Now Scooter has stripped me of my life’s work, that I wasn’t given an opportunity to buy,” she said.

“Essentially, my musical legacy is about to lie in the hands of someone who tried to dismantle it.”

Last month Swift confirmed she plans to re-record her old songs so that she can own the new versions.

Asked on CBS Sunday Morning if that was her plan, the singer replied: “Yeah, absolutely.”