Taylor Swift has accused the head of her former record label and a prominent music industry figure of “exercising tyrannical control” over her career, in a row over her old music.
In an extraordinary statement, Swift alleged Scott Borchetta and Scooter Braun are blocking her from performing a medley of her songs at the American Music Awards (AMAs), where she will be named artist of the decade later this month.
Borchetta founded Big Machine Label Group, which signed Swift as a teenager.
Don’t know what else to do pic.twitter.com/1uBrXwviTS
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) November 14, 2019
Earlier this year it emerged Braun, who manages high-profile pop stars including Justin Bieber, had acquired Swift’s back catalogue.
At the time she said she was “sad” and “grossed out” at the move. Swift has now shared a statement on her social media accounts, saying the two men are preventing her from performing her old songs at the AMAs as it would constitute “re-recording them before I’m allowed to next year”.
Swift also announced Netflix has created a documentary about “my life for the past few years”.
Borchetta and Scooter have declined the use of her older music or performance footage for the project, she alleges.
Swift also claims Borchetta told her team they will allow her to use her music if she agrees not to re-record copycat versions of her songs next year and “stop talking” about him and Braun.
Swift said she is legally allowed to re-record her old songs and is “looking forward” to it.
The 29-year-old said: “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.”
Swift then asked her fans for “help”, by letting Braun and Borchetta “know how you feel about this”.
She said Braun “manages several artists who I really believe care about other artists and their work”.
Swift added: “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.”
She then named The Carlyle Group, saying they put up the money for the sale of her music.
Swift added: “I just want to be able to perform MY OWN music. That’s it. I’ve tried to work this out privately though 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.”
She finished the post by writing: “I love you guys and I thought you should know what’s been going on.”
Pop star Halsey later backed Swift, saying her treatment is “punishment”.
Writing on Instagram, she said: “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.”
Scott and Scooter, you know what the right thing to do is 🙏🙏Taylor and her fans deserve to celebrate the music!!
— Gigi Hadid (@GiGiHadid) November 15, 2019
Supermodel Gigi Hadid also lent her support to Swift.
The 24-year-old tweeted: “Scott and Scooter, you know what the right thing to do is.
“Taylor and her fans deserve to celebrate the music!!”
Big Machine Label Group and Braun have been contacted for comment.