Taylor Swift attends the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards at Prudential Center on August 26, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey.
Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for MTV
Representatives for Taylor Swift's former label Big Machine have released a statement in response to Swift accusing founder Scott Borchetta and new owner Scooter Braun of attempting to limit her ability to perform old material on TV.
Swift claimed on Thursday that Borchetta and Braun are not allowing her to use any of her old songs in a forthcoming Netflix documentary, or in performance at this year’s American Music Awards.
In a statement sent by Braun’s SB Projects, and signed by Big Machine, the company denied this version of events, saying “the narrative [Swift has] created does not exist.”
Read the full statement below, via Variety.
“As Taylor Swift’s partner for over a decade, we were shocked to see her Tumblr statements yesterday based on false information. At no point did we say Taylor could not perform on the AMAs or block her Netflix special. In fact, we do not have the right to keep her from performing live anywhere. Since Taylor’s decision to leave Big Machine last fall, we have continued to honor all of her requests to license her catalog to third parties as she promotes her current record in which we do not financially participate.
“The truth is, Taylor has admitted to contractually owing millions of dollars and multiple assets to our company, which is responsible for 120 hardworking employees who helped build her career. We have worked diligently to have a conversation about these matters with Taylor and her team to productively move forward. We started to see progress over the past two weeks and were optimistic as recently as yesterday that this may get resolved. However, despite our persistent efforts to find a private and mutually satisfactory solution, Taylor made a unilateral decision last night to enlist her fanbase in a calculated manner that greatly affects the safety of our employees and their families.
“Taylor, the narrative you have created does not exist. All we ask is to have a direct and honest conversation. When that happens, you will see there is nothing but respect, kindness and support waiting for you on the other side. To date, not one of the invitations to speak with us and work through this has been accepted. Rumors fester in the absence of communication. Let’s not have that continue here. We share the collective goal of giving your fans the entertainment they both want and deserve.”
The FADER has emailed Taylor Swift’s representatives for comment.
