For years, Justin Bieber was the undisputed prince of global pop. With millions of fans worldwide and a career that generated obscene amounts of money, it seemed like nothing could shake his empire. But behind the scenes, poor financial decisions were silently eating away at his fortune — until he nearly went bankrupt.
Why Justin Bieber Sold His Music Catalog for $200 Million
According to an investigation by TMZ, Bieber’s lavish spending spiraled out of control. By 2022, he was facing serious financial instability. His only escape? Selling the rights to his entire music catalog — a move that earned him $200 million.
At the time, his longtime manager Scooter Braun advised him against it. Braun reportedly believed it was too early in Bieber’s career to make such a drastic move, especially since artists of his caliber could command at least $600 or $700 million. He also warned Bieber to wait until January 2023 to avoid a major tax hit.
Read also: (VIDEOS) Justin Bieber Bizarre Post Talking About God and His Childhood Sparks Fan Fears
But Justin didn’t wait. He ignored the advice and closed the deal in December 2022 — a decision that may have cost him more than just money.
Scooter Braun Warned Him — But Bieber Didn’t Listen
On top of the catalog sale, Bieber was already in deep with major promoters after canceling shows on his Justice tour. These cancellations racked up nearly $24 million in debt. Though Braun and HYBE (the parent company behind BTS) stepped in to cover it, it didn’t mean Justin was off the hook — it just meant he now owed them instead.
Justin Bieber reportedly signed a promissory note agreeing to repay the debt within 10 years. But within a few months, he backed out of that agreement too, which may have led to his split with Braun. Under the guidance of his new manager, Lou Taylor, a $26 million repayment deal was eventually reached.
The Justice Tour Debt and Fallout With Braun
While fans have recently focused on Bieber’s mental health struggles and strange behavior — including problematic comments toward his wife Hailey and comparisons to ex Selena Gomez — there may be financial stress fueling it all. Money problems, drug rumors, and emotional outbursts seem to have become recurring themes in his life.
Is Justin Bieber Still in Debt in 2025?
Even now, Justin Bieber’s financial troubles may not be over. HYBE reportedly hired an auditor who spent six months reviewing the situation and found that Justin still owes $8 million.
So while Justin Bieber may still be famous, his bank account — and his peace of mind — have taken serious hits. What remains to be seen is whether his latest decisions will finally bring him financial stability, or if this cycle will continue.
This article was originally written in Spanish by Fernando Eslava in Cultura Colectiva.
