Taylor Swift declined Manchester, Parkland concerts because of Scooter Braun

Taylor Swift opted not to participate in the Manchester and Parkland benefit concerts because they were run by foe Scooter Braun.

In a new cover story for Rolling Stone, Swift responded to claims made by Scott Borchetta, the founder of Big Machine Records, that she turned down the opportunities to perform in the concerts that honored the lives lost in Ariana Grande’s Manchester bombing and the Parkland school shooting.

“Unbelievable,” Swift responded to Rolling Stone. “Here’s the thing: Everyone in my team knew if Scooter Braun brings us something, do not bring it to me.”

Swift immediately turned the subject to her ongoing feud with Borchetta and Braun, which stems from Braun’s $300 million acquisition of her masters.

“The fact that those two are in business together after the things he said about Scooter Braun — it’s really hard to shock me. And this was utterly shocking,” she continued. “These are two very rich, very powerful men, using $300 million of other people’s money to purchase, like, the most feminine body of work. And then they’re standing in a wood-panel bar doing a tacky photo shoot, raising a glass of scotch to themselves.

“Because they pulled one over on me and got this done so sneakily that I didn’t even see it coming. And I couldn’t say anything about it.”

As Page Six reported, Swift was well-aware of the deal months before it went through and had the opportunity to buy back her masters but ultimately “walked away.”

Swift’s attorney, Donald Passman, later released a statement regarding her masters: “Scott Borchetta never gave Taylor Swift an opportunity to purchase her masters, or the label, outright with a check in the way he is now apparently doing for others.”