Justin Bieber's rep denies reports that the singer is $20 million in debt and 'lost his way' after canceling his Justice World Tour in 2023.
After The Hollywood Reporter published an article on April 16, in which several sources said that Justin Bieber was struggling financially and making bad decisions, the singer's rep immediately responded: "These are just nonsense rumors based on unnamed and uninformed 'sources' who are disappointed that Justin is no longer working with him. As Justin moves forward on his own, these unnecessary stories and false speculations continue to appear. However, that does not stop him from being determined to pursue the right path."
Justin's side also emphasized to The Hollywood Reporter that any source trying to sell the newspaper a story about his difficult financial situation "either doesn't understand the entertainment industry or is probably trying to paint an unflattering picture of Justin that doesn't reflect reality at all." The famous American magazine yesterday caused a stir with the article "Justin Bieber's Crisis of Faith?", mentioning the pop star's major changes in recent times, including a management overhaul, stopping cooperation with many former partners, leaving the fashion brand Drew... The newspaper interviewed many people who have worked with Justin and anonymous sources, giving different opinions, both positive and negative, about this change.
"Watching him fade away like this... is like witnessing the embodiment of someone who is not living up to his purpose," a former member of Justin's team said. "He's lost his way. No one is protecting him because no one is there to say no to him. If you say no, you're blown away."
The article also cited a source as saying that Justin's cancellation of the remaining shows on his Justice World Tour in February 2023 "caused a series of financial consequences that still haunt the artist to this day." The insider said Justin owed a large sum of money to tour organizer AEG: "Justin received a $40 million advance and (after canceling the tour) was left with a large debt to AEG: more than $20 million, the insider claimed. According to sources, then-manager Scooter Braun, through his company, paid off the debt in the form of a loan with a very favorable interest rate to Bieber. To date, Bieber has only paid back a portion of the money he borrowed." Other sources also revealed that Justin Bieber is under financial strain, especially after recently purchasing and renovating several properties.
In January 2023, Justin Bieber sold his entire music catalog for $200 million, including publishing rights, master recording rights, and his entire back catalog — about 290 songs released before 2022. The Hollywood Reporter reported that the deal was initially expected to be worth $140 million, but Bieber's team at the time — including former manager Scooter Braun — pushed for a higher price. Bieber's team hoped the hefty sum would provide long-term financial security for the singer.
The post comes amid concerns about the 31-year-old singer. Fans began to stir in January when Justin unfollowed former manager Scooter Braun and several friends on Instagram, including Usher, Diddy, and his best friend Ryan Good. At one point, the singer unfollowed his father-in-law, actor Stephen Baldwin, and Hailey Bieber. He later "followed" his wife again, explaining that Instagram had been hacked.
Fans are also concerned about Justin's health as he often appears tired and gaunt. In February, a representative for Justin denied rumors that he was using drugs. The representative also explained that Justin was going through major changes: "This year has been a very transitional year for Justin as he has ended some close friendships and business relationships that were no longer appropriate." At that time, a close source confirmed to TMZ that Justin Bieber was having a good life with his wife and newborn son.