Justin Bieber reportedly turned down a $5m offer to play at a Republican Convention event in Cleveland last week. The 22-year-old singer “seriously considered” taking the gig, reports TMZ – until his manager Scooter Braun, a staunch Hillary Clinton supporter, threatened to quit if The Biebs lent his implicit support to The Donald.
The gossip site cited sources at Bieber’s talent agency CAA, who said “GOP donors” had offered the Canadian star seven figures to perform for 45 minutes at a venue close to the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, where the convention took place. That’s a little over $110,000 per minute: tempting even for a guy who earned $56m last year, according to Forbes.
The source said Bieber was tempted “partly because he’s Canadian and didn’t have a dog in the fight and partly because of the money.” But despite assurances the event would be non-partisan, Mr Braun and CAA reportedly felt it was “100 per cent political” – especially after they asked to erect “Black Lives Matter” banners at the venue and were told they would have to go with “All Lives Matter” banners instead.
Bieber’s all-black backing band were said to be unanimously against the idea. Bieber and co were almost persuaded by a rumour that Cleveland Cavaliers hero LeBron James was also appearing at an RNC fringe event, but were later told by Team LeBron that he would be doing no such thing, and neither should Bieber.
Prior to the convention, Donald Trump promised a star-filled event. But with Bieber and others staying away, Republicans made do instead with Scott Baio and the guy from Duck Dynasty.
