Justin Bieber's Alleged Reason For 2023 $200 Million Catalog Sale

Justin Bieber's headline-making $200 million music catalog sale was not just a power move; it may have been a financial lifeline, according to a new documentary.

In 2022, those close to Justin Bieber said he was teetering on the edge of "financial collapse," which reportedly pushed him to sell his music rights to investment firm Hipgnosis, making him the first artist of his generation to close a deal of that size.

Months after welcoming a baby with wife Hailey, Bieber is reportedly planning a musical comeback in 2025. Insiders say he is eager to get back on stage, not just for the spotlight, but because he "needs the money."

The Hulu special, "TMZ Presents: What Happened to Justin Bieber?," explores the singer's financial issues, mental health struggles, marriage to Hailey, and relationship with his church. While many artists have cashed in on their catalogs, sources say urgent financial concerns drove Bieber's decision.

According to TMZ, the pop star's longtime manager, Scooter Braun, advised him to hold off until January 2023 to benefit from a tax break. But Bieber reportedly did not want to wait and closed the deal in December 2022 instead.

The documentary is now streaming on Hulu and includes new details about the behind-the-scenes factors that shaped one of the most talked-about music deals in recent years.

Bieber made headlines in 2023 when he sold the rights to his entire music catalog in a deal valued at around $200 million. The Blast reported that the agreement with Hipgnosis Songs Capital covered 100% of Bieber's music assets, royalties from his "master recordings and neighboring rights." 

The deal included everything released before December 2021, from early hits like "Baby" to his latest album at the time, "Justice."

Hipgnosis confirmed the sale, calling it the biggest rights acquisition they have made so far. It was also the largest catalog sale ever by a contemporary artist of Bieber's generation, totaling 290 songs.

Before the sale closed, the outlet shared details of the agreement, listing all six of Bieber's studio albums, plus remixes and singles, as part of the package.

The 31-year-old's $200 million music catalog sale was not just one of the biggest of its kind; it also broke industry expectations.

At the time of the sale, experts considered newer catalogs like Bieber's riskier investments. Unlike decades-old music with proven staying power, recent releases typically sell for less due to their shorter track record.

But Bieber's deal defied that trend. Despite being only 28 at the time, he had built a catalog strong enough to command a record-breaking price.

Hipgnosis CEO Merck Mercuriadis, who oversaw the deal, called Bieber's influence over the last 14 years "truly remarkable." In a statement, he credited Bieber with helping to reshape the music business in the digital age, stating:

"At only 28 years of age, he is one of a handful of defining artists of the streaming era that has revitalized the entire music industry, taking a loyal and worldwide audience with him on a journey from a teen phenomenon to a culturally important artist."

Bieber is reportedly looking to restart his music career this year, but the motivation may have more to do with bills than beats.

The Blast reported that the father-of-one was still dealing with the fallout from canceling his tour in 2022, with sources saying he owed a significant amount to concert promoter AEG and had other outstanding expenses linked to his lifestyle as a global pop star.

After stepping back from the spotlight to focus on his health, Bieber appears ready to return. In an entertainment industry forecast, insiders told Puck News' Matthew Belloni that Bieber "needs the money and wants to work."

Additionally, Bieber has brought on high-profile attorney Michael Rhodes, known for representing stars like Madonna and the Kardashians.

The star's career took a major pause after he revealed in 2023 that he had been diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome, a condition that temporarily paralyzed part of his face and forced him to cancel his "Justice World Tour."

Bieber had not released a major project since his 2021 album, and his health announcement explained the sudden halt. In a now-deleted Instagram video, Bieber explained that the syndrome had attacked the nerves in his ear and face, leaving his right eye unable to blink and one side of his face frozen.

"Obviously, as you can probably see with my face. I have this syndrome called Ramsay Hunt syndrome, and it is from this virus that attacks the nerves in my ear and my facial nerves and has caused my face to have paralysis," he explained. 

He also shared a brief Instagram Story update, admitting that it had become increasingly difficultto eat and asked fans to keep him in their prayers.

Will Justin Bieber's next chapter remind the world why he became a global star in the first place?