Lorde splits from manager Scott Maclachlan: Pop star and man who discovered her part ways

Lorde with Scott Maclachlan in 2013. Maclachlan's company no longer carries a photo of the singer. Photo / Norrie Montgomery

Lorde has split from the man who discovered her and managed her rise to global super-stardom.

Sources have confirmed to the Herald that Lorde and Scott Maclachlan parted ways around a month ago but Maclachlan has refused to comment on the situation.

It is not known who is now managing the singer or why the relationship ended.

Lorde recently re-teamed with producer Joel Little, who co-wrote her hit album Pure Heroine, for her second album, around the same time she and Maclachlan parted ways.

The pop star's photo has been removed from the website of Maclachlan's company, Saiko Management.

The Herald has previously reported Saiko Management made more than $2 million from its relationship with the singer.

When asked if they had split, Maclachlan told the Herald: "There's no comment to make on that."

Asked why her photo had been removed from his website, Maclachlan said: "No comment."

Lorde's record label, Universal Music, also declined to comment on "the situation," saying they are not involved in the artist-management relationship.

Just last week, Maclachlan won the international achievement award at the 2015 MMF Music Managers Awards for the second year in a row. The award recognised his achievements managing Lorde and Sol3 Mio.

He told Stuff.co.nz he was busy helping new artists Parson James and Thomston on their way.

"It's a 24-hour-a-day job with an eye-watering amount of travel, but I wouldn't change it for the world," he said.

"It's nice to be recognised for the hard work and success with our various artists, and hopefully showcases us to other new artists needing management."

"You always try and recognise something special in artists; that's why you get involved. Thereafter, it's down to strategy, hard work and luck."

Maclachlan has overseen Lorde's progression from shy schoolgirl to international pop sensation. He signed her to a Universal Music development contract in 2008 after watching a video tape of her perform in a school talent show.

"What stood out was her voice, incredible texture, incredible interpretation of the covers she was singing," Maclachlan told the Herald last year.

"For someone that young to be able to interpret songs like that and make them her own, that's very, very rare."

Maclachlan developed a reputation for fiercely protecting his young client and closely controlling media access to the singer.

He told the Herald: "When managing someone so young, their wellbeing is the most important consideration. You need to keep the family close, and I vet anyone who comes to the touring party very stringently."

Maclachlan was a constant part of that touring party and spent a huge amount of time overseas, traveling with the singer.

"I've been out of the country every month for the past year," he said last year.

Lorde is up for two rock awards at the Billboard Music awards today: top rock artist and top rock album for Pure Heroine.

- nzherald.co.nz