Scooter Braun Recalls Having 'Suicidal Thoughts' When He Was at the 'Top of My Game.' Now, He 'Couldn't Be Happier'
Braun said that his marriage falling apart and losing his kids "50% of the time" was a wake-up call
Despite everything, Braun said he "couldn't be happier" nowScooter Braun is reflecting on a dark period in his life.
During an appearance on Steven Bartlett's Diary of a CEO podcast published Monday, June 9, the music executive opened up about experiencing suicidal thoughts when he was at the top of his game — and the root cause.
Reflecting on his feud with Taylor Swift, that began when he purchased Big Machine Records from Scott Borchetta which gave him control of Swift's first six albums (she recently bought them back), Braun said he was able to navigate his way through and it "couldn't move me." His divorce from ex Yael Cohen, however, stopped him in his tracks.
"Losing my kids 50% of the time changed everything," Braun, 43, said. "That one rocked me and woke me up."
Braun recalled "the whole world" thinking he was "crushing it" in October 2020 — but behind closed doors his marriage was "falling apart."
"I had a suicidal thought for 20 minutes where I was like, 'If my marriage is going to fall apart I'm not going to be with my kids all the time. I can't control this. I'm not going to be this perfect image that I presented to the world. And if I can't be this perfect image then I don't want to be here,'" he recalled, adding that he went to a "very dark place."
"After 20 minutes I say, 'What the hell was that? That's not me. I would never leave my kids,'" he said.
The following day, a friend suggested that he undergoes the Hoffman Process — and the only opening was during his "busiest week of the year."
Braun said he laughed at the idea — but decided to do it anyway. Since then, he claimed he was "never depressed again."
"I'm at the top of my game yet I wanted to kill myself last night. Something's gotta change," he recalled thinking.
Braun later added, "Six years ago, I was the biggest manager and the perfect marriage and everything I touched turned to gold and there was no negative press about me ever. Six years later I'm divorced, I don't manage anymore, I've had negative press and I couldn't be happier."
Braun, who helped guide the careers of stars like Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, Demi Lovato and Dan + Shay, announced his retirement from management on June 17, 2024.
Meanwhile, in September 2022, Braun and Cohen agreed to joint custody of their three kids Jagger Joseph, 9, Levi Magnus, 7, and Hart Violet, 5.
Braun and Cohen tied the knot in 2014 and PEOPLE confirmed their separation in July 2021. At the time, a source said they were "taking some time apart to sort things out," adding: "They love each other and just need some time apart and will hopefully bounce back for their kids."
Days later, Braun filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences, and another source told PEOPLE they "decided to move ahead with the divorce," adding: "They're committed to keeping things amicable for the kids. They don't want to have a messy divorce."
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7.
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