Justin Bieber breaks ties with business manager Lou Taylor, hires Johnny Depp’s manager Edward White
Canadian pop singer Justin Bieber
Justin Bieber has ended his professional relationship with his business manager Lou Taylor, according to reports. The pop star has now hired Johnny Depp’s financial manager, Edward White.
A source close to the situation told People, "They parted ways a few weeks ago in May. It was a mutual and seamless transition. It just wasn't a fit anymore."
Bieber, 30, had aligned his enterprises — Bieber Time Touring LLC, Justin Bieber Brands LLC, and Bieber Time Merchandise — with Taylor's firm, Tri Star Sports And Entertainment Group, in 2022. However, the partnership has now concluded.
Despite this change, Bieber's long-standing manager, Scooter Braun, continues to oversee the musician's career. The source confirmed, "[Bieber's] still in a contract and won't be out of it for a long time."
Edward White, the new addition to Bieber's team, founded his company Edward White & Co. in 1976. The California-based firm, which recently merged with Eide Bailly, offers tax and consulting services to several Hollywood icons, including Jack Nicholson, Allen Paulson, and the estates of Lena Horne and Vin Scully.
"[Taylor] has been supporting them in the transition with Edward White," the source added.
White has managed Depp's finances since 2016, even testifying in Depp's 2022 defamation lawsuit against his ex-wife, Amber Heard. Prior to the trial, White had assisted Depp in 2017 during a lawsuit against The Management Group for alleged financial mismanagement.
In 2023, Bieber sold his 291-song catalogue to Hipgnosis Songs Capital for just over $200 million, according to Billboard. This deal included all songs released by Bieber up until the end of 2021, covering six studio albums and several hit singles like "Baby," "Boyfriend," "Sorry," and "Peaches."
Hipgnosis now holds a 100% stake in profits from Bieber's writing and recording credits, along with neighbouring rights, which generate revenue from public plays of his songs in various venues. Nonetheless, Bieber's recorded masters remain indefinitely under the ownership of Universal Music Group.