Scooter Braun has finally opened up about Justin Bieber’s breakdown in 2014, which saw the pop singer go totally off the rails.
The manager, who discovered Justin on YouTube at the age of 12, spoke about his most famous client’s very public meltdown – and how he never gave up on him, despite being told to do so.
Speaking to the Wall Street Journal, Scooter said, “It was worse than people realised.”
“I failed him day after day. We were living in hell because he was in such a dark place.”
“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.”
Justin was arrested for driving under the influence in Miami back in January 2014, and in April this year he posted a photo of his mug shot on Instagram and wrote to his fans, “Thank God I am not where I used to be.”
Scooter also revealed that many people told him to give up on Justin, and insisted that he was a lost cause.
“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.’
“I made a promise to him when he was 13 that I would never give up on him. I plan on keeping that promise,” he said.
The 36-year-old also said that he attended Al-Anon meetings to help him deal with Justin.
“When the time came and Justin needed the resources to get back on track, I wanted to make sure I was a rock and someone he could turn to.”
“He’s family. I think the relationship is more like a big brother, especially because he’s become a man.”
“I think he’s seen the worst of himself, and to watch him rise out of it was amazing.”
