Taylor Swift releases statement claiming she's 'not allowed' to perform old songs
She's caught up in a legal situation
Last updated 22nd Nov 2019
Taylor Swift has released a statement regarding her old music, which is the property of Big Machine Records, owned by Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber's manager, Scooter Braun. After a dispute between Taylor and Scooter over her old music began earlier this year, Taylor has taken to Twitter to release a statement with an update to fans.
In June, Taylor revealed that her former record label had sold her early music to Scooter and claimed she hadn't been told, and then in August announced that she was going to re-record her old music so that she would have the rights.
Taking to Twitter with the caption, 'Don’t know what else to do', Taylor released the statement, in which she claims that Scooter and Scott Borchetta - CEO of the record label - have blocked her from singing her old songs during her performance at the upcoming American Music Awards, and that a previously-unknown Netflix documentary of her life had also been left in a questionable state.
The statement reads:
'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.'
UPDATE (22nd November 2019): Scooter Braun has now addressed his legal situation with Taylor Swift at the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce State of the Entertainment Industry Conference.
Scroll through to see Taylor Swift's transformation over the years...
2006 - Age 16
Country Singer/Songwriter rocking the country boots and blonde ringlets at the 41st Annual Academy of Country Music Awards.
2006 - Age 16
With a full head of curls and guitar in hand, this young faced Taylor is the face the world was introduced to.
2007 - Age 17
Taylor ditches the boots for a minute for a strapless mid length sequined dress for the CMT music awards, receiving the award for 'Breakthrough Video of the Year' .
2007 - Age 17
Pretty certain that under that extra long mint green train, are those brown country boots T-Swift loves so much.
2007 - Age 17
After glamming out her country boots - with Taylor and Swift printed in red love hearts on each boot - Taylor is really going for it out on stage. Least we know whose boots they belong to if they were lost back stage!
2007 - Age 17
Arriving at the 2007 American Music Awards on the Red Carpet in a LBD and country boots; wouldn't expect anything less from the rising star.
2008 - Age 18
It's blonde curls as usual for the country star, with maybe just a bit too much blue eyeshadow with that halter neck purple mini dress. Fear not, things will soon be changing.
2008 - Age 18
Looking super cute at the MTV's Total Request Live in '08
2008 - Age 18
Taylor definitely looks like she belongs on stage! Running up and down stage in her country boots and long curls, this has become the starlet's trademark I'd say.
2008 - Age 18
As she walks up to collect yet another music award, T doesn't look so young anymore with her hair pinned back and a beautiful drop down strapless gown.
2008 - Age 19
The boots will always be simply 'so Taylor', but the elbow-length fingerless leather gloves? Not to sure about this look.
2009 - Age 19
With her crazy curly hair slowly fading out, and her country boots being swapped out for a more 'formal' boot, T is growing super fast and we are loving her even more.
2009 - Age 19
Oh wow, what a blast from the past. Miley and Taylor performing together on stage. Who would have thought things would be so different now!
2009 - Age 19
This backless, black, floor-length gown and a simple pinned back hairstyle sure got people talking about this small town country singer as she arrived at the 2009 Grammy Awards.
2010 - Age 20
By 2010, the country boots are well and truly done and in the back cupboard and those long long legs are walking up red carpet after red carpet.
2010 - Age 20
This thin strapped tasseled silver dress looks absolutely stunning on Taylor. Still showing off those famous ringlets, T lets loose just enough curls to fill her neckline.
2010 - Age 20
Oh, and that time when Katy and Taylor were actually BBFLs the first time around!
2010 - Age 20
Looking absolutely gorgeous as she arrived on the Red Carpet to the 2010 Grammy's, T forgot to bring an extra large clutch to take home all those Grammy's she won that night.
2011 - Age 21
At 21 Tay-Tay looks stunning and its the start of the blonde bombshell and her infamous red lips.
2011 - Age 21
Oh, Taylor, YES! The gold mini with the gold shoes and just the right amount of sparkle in the dress is finished off perfectly with that red lip! LOVE.
2011 - Age 21
T brings her boots out for a dance around stage. This brings back flashbacks of her younger days with her curls let loose.
2011 - Age 21
Tay looks so proud here and deservedly so. However, she's still missing that extra large clutch... think she'd learn from last year.
2012 - Age 22
Taylor keeps turning heads at the Grammy's, and in 2012 she arrived in a gold open back high neck dress, looking like a true Hollywood Star. Yet another Grammy that T leaves with her hands full.
2012 - Age 22
With the curls just about gone, Tay is just about all grown up, and no wonder she's a hit with the guys (until she has a hit single about them). She is one hell of a Stunner!
2012 - Age 22
A huge tick of approval for this dress! This red free flowing dress with lace top was sure to be the right choice for when T had to go up and collect another award at the 2012 Billboard Music Awards.
2012 - Age 22
Taylor looks like a true business woman as she arrives to the MTV Music Awards in 2012, strutting down in a white on white pants suit, and of corse, finished with the perfect red lips!
2012 - Age 22
If you are a true T-Swift fan, you would know that this was The Look for her RED album! With legs that long, why would you show them off!
2012 - Age 22
This super casual look from Tay Tay is finished off in true Taylor style with red lips an nails, right down to the red points on her flats.
2012 - Age 23
Taylor has come a long way since performing at the New Years Eve party in '08! Swapping out the leather gloves for the leather pants. Good trade Swift!
2013 - Age 23
Taylor just has a way of making such simple dresses look jaw-dropping. Arriving at the Peoples Choice Awards in '13, she was sure to add a pop of color with a pair of turquoise drop earrings.
2013 - Age 23
Seven years on, and Tay has become an absolute natural on the Red Carpet. This long sleeve v-neck dress just pairs so well with her golden locks.
2013 - Age 23
No luck was needed for Taylor as she arrived on the Red Carpet for the 2013 Grammy Awards. She was ready to wow the crowd again as she collected her award in this split full length dress.
2014 - Age 24
Loving this LBD! Perfect a pre-gala event where the drinks were sure to be flowing. With a low pony tail and statement earrings, Tay sure looked fab!
2014 - Age 24
Taylor sure looked dazzling in this bronzed chain-like dress. Just one thing, where can we get ourselves a pair of those killer heels?!
2014 - Age 24
And then we said goodbye to those country girl curls, and hello to what will soon become the New Taylor. LOVING the change!
2014 - Age 24
Showing off abs in this two piece, all eyes were on Taylor for sure!
2014 - Age 24
And on her 'days off', Taylor went a little retro/vintage and does it oh-so well!!
2014 - Age 24
Sometimes pastels can be tricky, but this colour comb is a massive hit!
2014 - Age 24
A little bit of a more cheeky side to Taylor as so arrived in a very short long sleeved jumpsuit to the 2014 MTV Music Awards.
2014 - Age 24
With her super long legs, and slim physique, Taylor looked like she was right at home when she was performing on the Run Way of the 2014 Victoria Secret Fashion Show.
2015 - Age 25
Tay killed it in this dress as she presented the Grammy's, and even took one home for herself.
2015 - Age 25
And she's back at it again, trying to juggle all those awards.
2015 - Age 25
Taking home 8, yes you read it - 8, billboard awards home, that badblood clutch still isn't big enough Tay! Looking hot as in that sparkling playsuit, with that epic clutch, Tay had her walking pants and ready for a night full of walking up on to stage.
2016 - Age 26
Over the years, Taylor has had such an epic career and its seems its only going to get bigger. Each year, she impresses us even more than the last and each year she looks better, fitter, and kind-of shocks us each time! This super bright two piece set, and and even shorter hair do is just killer and we LOVE it!
2016 - Age 26
Taylor was absolutely slaying at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party! With a backless, leg split and low scoop chest piece, I'm sure she was breaking hearts all over the world!
2016 - Age 26
Remember when T-Swift did a Freaky Friday with us and flipped to T-Momsen on us. It didn't last too long, but she definitely had us all talking.
2017 - Age 27
We all know 2017 was a rough year for Taylor, but in true Swift form, she wrote about it, stood up to her haters and made some singles that got everyone talking (you either loved them or hated them) but one thing we won't forget... "the old taylor can't come to the phone right now" and we can't wait to see what the new Taylor brings!
2017 - Age 27
With an intense 12 years, Taylor has won an amazing 277 awards!
You can hear Taylor Swift's biggest hits on the Tay FM playlist.
For great music and incredible competitions tune into Tay FM on 96.4 and 102.8FM, online, on our Tay FM app, your DAB radio, or say ‘Play Tay FM’ on your Smart Speaker. We play you the biggest hits from the world’s hottest artists. You’ll find new favourites every day and hear the songs you've missed from the last few years.