Earlier this week, Taylor Swift announced to the world that both Scooter Braun and CEO of Big Machine Records’ Scott Borchetta were ‘refusing to let her perform her previously-released music at the 2019 AMAs.’  Although Scooter and Scott have denied this claim, considering what happened between Taylor and Scooter in the summer, people are not buying it, especially Taylor’s BFF, Selena Gomez. 

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BB3lp-LujCb/

 

Selena showed her support by writing this (below) in her Insta-Story:

 

“My heart is so heavy right now. It makes me sick and extremely angry. (I don’t mind if there may be retaliation) this is my opinion. It’s greed, manipulation, and power. There is no heart or thought of anyone else. No respect for the words my friend has written since she was a 14-year-old in her bedroom.   You’ve robbed and crushed one of our best song writers of our time an opportunity to celebrate all of her music with her fans and the world.

“I have known Taylor for 13 years. She is the most dedicated, fearless, fiesty [sic], strongest woman I’ve ever known. People can say bitch but what I’m saying to you is that’s called a woman with true identity and strength who takes no shit. I listened to fearless before it came out and I just remember us jumping on a bed and she was just sparkling. -so proud of her diary being read by the whole world. Nervous of people not liking it… but that became one of the biggest records – an album that saved so many young woman who felt alone. Have a broken heart. Who were healing. Those who felt invisible. Gave a voice to those who didn’t know that they had one all along. Believing in dreams again. I continued to see how she has constantly challenged her self to create a beautiful life that belong to just her. So I can tell you first hand the MOST important thing to Taylor is her family, love, her fans, and her MUSIC. I really hope there is a change of heart over this unfortunate situation.  Seeing my best friend (or any of my friends) be constantly pulled down is the worst feeling. Taylor fights. She will never stop fighting. People grow from choices. Some will stay exactly the same. I just want a change of heart. I love you.”

 

Instagram/SelenaGomez

 

 

In an open letter written by Taylor and posted onto her Tumblr page, this is what she had to say about the entire music situation:

 

“Guys, it’s been announced recently that the American Music Awards will be honoring me with the Artist of the Decade Award at this year’s ceremony. I’ve been planning to perform a medley of my hits throughout the decade on the show. Scott Borchetta and Scooter Braun have now said that I’m not allowed to perform my old songs on television because they claim that would be re-recording my music before I’m allowed to next year.

Additionally—and this isn’t the way I had planned on telling you this news—Netflix has created a documentary about my life for the past few years. Scott and Scooter have declined the use of my older music or performance footage for this project even though there is no mention of either of them or Big Machine Records anywhere in the film.  Scott Borchetta told my team that they’ll allow me to use my music only if I do these things: If I agree to not re-record copycat versions of my songs next year (which is something I’m both legally allowed to do and looking forward to) and also told my team that I need to stop talking about him and Scooter Braun.

I feel very strongly that sharing what is happening to me could change the awareness level for other artists and potentially help them avoid a similar fate.  The message being sent to me is very clear. Basically, be a good little girl and shut up. Or you’ll be punished.  This is WRONG. Neither of these men had a hand in the writing of those songs. They did nothing to create the relationship I have with my fans. So this is where I’m asking for your help.  Please let Scott Borchetta and Scooter Braun know how you feel about this.

Scooter also manages several artists who I really believe care about other artists and their work. Please ask them for help with this—I’m hoping that maybe they can talk some sense into the men who are exercising tyrannical control over someone who just wants to play the music she wrote. I’m especially asking for help from The Carlyle Group, who put up money for the sale of my music to these two men.  I just want to be able to perform MY OWN music. That’s it. I’ve tried to work this out privately through my team but have not been able to resolve anything. Right now my performance at the AMA’s, the Netflix documentary and any other recorded events I am planning to play until November of 2020 are a question mark. I love you guys and I thought you should know what’s been going on.  Taylor.”

 

Selena wasn’t the only artist to show their support – so did Halsey!  Halsey writes:

 

“Not only are we looking at an awful business move…but this is just mean. This is punishment. This is hoping to silence her from speaking about things by dangling this over her head.  These people are protected because they inspire complicity with fear. Banking on the illusion that people will not stand up for her. That the world will say she is over reacting. You’re barking up the wrong tree. It is her grace and patience in these moments that make her Artist of the Decade.”

https://twitter.com/TSUpdatesNYBU/status/1195173489059287047

Filed under: Halsey, Selena Gomez, Taylor Swift