Is pop idol Justin Bieber broke and on brink of financial collapse?

Dubai: Pop star Justin Bieber may have once amassed between $500 million and $1 billion during his meteoric rise to fame—but according to a new TMZ documentary, financial mismanagement, legal disputes, and cancelled tours have left the singer in a precarious financial position.

TMZ Investigates: What Happened to Justin Bieber, now streaming on Hulu in the US, uncovers the extent of Bieber’s financial troubles, revealing that by late 2022, he was reportedly on the verge of "financial collapse."

In an effort to recoup funds, Bieber sold the rights to his music catalog for a reported $200 million that December. His longtime manager, Scooter Braun, allegedly urged him to wait until the new year to benefit from tax advantages, but Bieber declined.

While several artists have sold their catalogs, Bieber remains one of the youngest to do so—a decision insiders claim was driven by financial urgency rather than strategic planning.

According to reports by TMZ, The Hollywood Reporter, and Forbes, the trouble began when Bieber abruptly cancelled his Justice world tour in 2022 due to health concerns.

The early cancellation reportedly triggered a $24 million penalty after he had already received $40 million in advance. HYBE, the parent company of Braun’s management firm, stepped in to resolve the situation, but Bieber only made a single payment toward the agreed-upon settlement.

Tensions escalated when Bieber’s business manager, Lou Taylor, accused Braun of unfairly collecting $26 million in commissions.

However, HYBE’s internal audit found otherwise—concluding Bieber still owed Braun over $1 million. An external audit conducted by PwC further confirmed Bieber’s outstanding debt stood at approximately $8.8 million.

Despite mounting speculation about potential bankruptcy and allegations of unpaid debts to concert promoter AEG, Bieber's team strongly denied the reports. In a statement, they dismissed the claims as "distorted assertions from unnamed sources" and "false reports aimed at clicks by individuals disappointed by the end of their relationship with Justin."

“He is still forging his own path,” the statement continued. “External speculation will not change his direction.”

Former colleagues, however, have voiced concerns about Bieber’s inner circle, with one noting that “he is wandering without anyone to protect him.”

The Hulu documentary also explores Bieber’s struggles with mental health, his marriage and the broader implications of fame on his personal and professional life.