Discovery+ released the first look trailer forthe upcoming docuseries Taylor Swift vs Scooter Braun: Bad Blood on Friday.
The two-part series will follow the longstanding feud between the multi-Grammy winner and the famed artist manager, which the show dubbed 'a battle of the titans.'
The newest season of VS dives into controversial sale of Swift's masters in a deal for $300 million to a man she 'viewed as a nemesis' and their publicly divisive feud.
Last month, Warner Bros. Discovery U.K. & Ireland announced the two hour-long episodes will be premiering in June and exploring the bitter dispute, which came to a head in June 2019.
As a montage of video footage from that time played on the screen, various experts were heard chiming in, sharing their thoughts and perspectives on each side of the infamous feud.
Discovery+ released the first look trailer for the upcoming docuseries Taylor Swift vs Scooter Braun: Bad Blood on Friday.The two-part series will follow the longstanding feud between the multi-Grammy winner and the famed artist manager, which the show dubbed 'a battle of the titans'; seen in December 2023 and June 2021, respectively
The newest season of VS dives into controversial sale of Swift's masters in a deal for $300 million to a man she 'viewed as a nemesis' and their publicly divisive feud. Last month, Warner Bros. Discovery U.K. & Ireland announced the two hour-long episodes will be premiering in June
'We're talking about hundreds of millions of dollars. We're talking about the catalog of one of the most beloved artists in the world. There was a lot at stake.'
The trailer began with legal experts and journalists setting the scene and stressing the importance of 34-year-old singer-songwriter's incredible talent, power and impact.
Swift was called a 'pop culture giant' and 'the first musician to become a billionaire solely through music.'
The docuseries then recalled how Scott Borchetta — a record exec and founderof Big Machine Records, who started the label in 2005 with Swift as their first signed artist — signed a deal with Scooter Braun, 42, in 2019.
That contract encapsulated other business deals but fundamentally gave total ownership of Swift's entire music catalog, which included her first six albums at the time, to Braun, who was referred to as 'a high-profile manager who Taylor had long viewed as a nemesis.'
'This was a betrayal of an artist and a woman in a male-dominated world,' one talking head described.
The documentary sources pointed out that Braun was known for discovering Justin Bieber, working with Ariana Grande and most notably Kanye West — who infamously ambushed her 2009 VMAs speech.
When Braun's media company, Ithaca Holdings, acquired Borchetta's Big Machine Label Group for $300 million, he also acquired ownership of Swift'sself-titled debut album, Fearless, Speak Now, Red, 1989 and Reputation.
The docuseries explores the bitter dispute, which came to a head in June 2019. The docuseries recalled how Scott Borchetta — a record exec and founder of Big Machine Records, who started the label in 2005 with Swift as their first signed artist — signed a deal with Scooter Braun
That contract encapsulated other business deals but fundamentally gave total ownership of Swift's entire music catalog, which included her first six albums at the time, to Braun, who was referred to as 'a high-profile manager who Taylor had long viewed as a nemesis'
When Braun's media company, Ithaca Holdings, acquired Borchetta's Big Machine Label Group for $300 million, he also acquired ownership of Swift's self-titled debut album, Fearless, Speak Now, Red, 1989 and Reputation
'This was a betrayal of an artist and a woman in a male-dominated world,' one talking head described
The documentary sources pointed out that Braun was known for discovering Justin Bieber and working with many other famous artists
He is also known for working with Kanye West — who infamously ambushed her 2009 VMAs speech
In July 2019, Swift condemned the business deal in a viral Tumblr post, calling it her 'worst case scenario' and claimed that she had faced 'incessant, manipulative bullying' from Braun for years.
That November, she asked her fanbase to help her reach out to other artists who work with Braun so she could perform the songs from her masters.
Less than a year and a half after acquiring her master recordings, Braun sold the rights to Shamrock Holdings for over $300 million — which Swift later claimed happened without her knowledge and without an opportunity for her to buy her catalog back.
In April 2021, she began re-recording her albums — having since completed four out of six 'Taylor's Version' releases — in an effort to claim the creative rights and regain control over the songs from the first 10 years of her career while she was signed with Big Machine Records.
In September 2022, Braun appeared on NPR's The Limits podcast to share his 'regret' over the way the deal was handled, explaining he was under a non-disclosure agreement and said he 'learned an important lesson' from the fiasco.
Compiled alongside various clips of Swift and Braun separately, experts as well as sources close to the duo were heard arguing and sharing their differing thoughts from opposing angles.
'She will stand up for what's right,' one said.
'She called on her fans to apply pressure on Scooter,' another added.
'Her fans think she can do no wrong.'
In July 2019, Swift condemned the business deal in a viral Tumblr post, calling it her 'worst case scenario' and claimed that she had faced 'incessant, manipulative bullying' from Braun for years
That November, she asked her fanbase to help her reach out to other artists who work with Braun so she could perform the songs from her masters
Less than a year and a half after acquiring her master recordings, Braun sold the rights to Shamrock Holdings for over $300 million — which Swift later claimed happened without her knowledge and without an opportunity for her to buy her catalog back
Compiled alongside various clips of Swift and Braun separately, experts as well as sources close to the duo were heard arguing and sharing their differing thoughts from opposing angles
As a montage of video footage from that time played on the screen, various experts were heard chiming in, sharing their thoughts and perspectives on each side of the infamous feud
'She was in charge of an army, and she's the general,' another expert argued, as the back and forth of differing opinions continued.
'He makes no apologies for being a business man.'
'Scooter's side says we gave her a chance to purchase her masters back and she just said no.'
'Being seen as the villain on the internet was pretty tough for him.'
Near the end of the teaser, a clip showed Braun talking onstage about receiving 'death threats': 'I just think it's got out of hand.'
'Scooter was becoming very wealthy off her work in an unfair way.'
'She will stand up for what's right,' one said. 'She called on her fans to apply pressure on Scooter,' another added. 'She was in charge of an army, and she's the general,' another expert argued, as the back and forth of differing opinions continued
Near the end of the teaser, a clip showed Braun talking onstage about receiving 'death threats': 'I just think it's got out of hand'
'It was a business deal, it wasn't a bullying attack against her.'
'There's a lot behind the scenes you don't know about. The truth didn't matter.'
'It was a battle of the titans. Goliath versus Goliath.'
The new docuseries, commissioned by Warner Bros. Discovery U.K. and Ireland, is a part of the VS series.
Its VS series also examines Johnny Depp and Amber Heard'scourt case as well as Kim Kardashian and Kanye West's divorce.
