SZA’s “SOS” set chart-topping records, won multiple Grammys and catapulted her to a new level of fame. The album’s mainstream success had audiences outside of R&B finally taking notice of her immense talent. In the entertainment world, when you hit different levels of success, you sometimes have to make changes to your team. This may be the position SZA finds herself in as she parts ways with longtime manager, TDE President Terrence “Punch” Henderson.
According to Rolling Stone, the “Kill Bill” singer confirmed the news while responding to a fan account’s post about the split, writing, “Nothing to celebrate. The end of an era. I wish him the best. Whatever his choices may be.”
This news comes amid the release of the highly anticipated “SOS” Deluxe Edition “Lana.” Many fans have blamed Punch for the album’s delay, so the reaction to their management relationship ending had people directing negativity toward him. The “All the Stars” artist was not having it, quickly stepping in to put an end to the backlash.
“To be clear I love punch deeply ! NO ONE should be attacking him or being cruel on my behalf . Sometimes ppl grow apart and that’s okay,” she added.
For his part, Punch posted cryptic comments that could have been about SZA, or he could have been thinking of something else. We don’t really know for sure.
Alongside a photo of Heath Ledger as The Joker in “The Dark Knight,” Punch tweeted, “Madness, as you know, is like gravity. All it takes is a little push.”
He went on to encourage everyone to calm down, posting, “Also, nothing real can be threatened. Relax ppl. Lol.”
Punch has also changed his bio on X. It has consistently read, “I manage SZA.” He temporarily changed it to “I manage SZA...I think;” but now he’s changed it back to its original statement. “I manage SZA… TDE is the Family. respecttheARtFOrM.”
Of course, the singer’s words didn’t stop her loyal fans from weighing in on the split. Some folks took to Black Twitter to express thoughts on how this will change things for SZA moving forward.
One fan is ready for more organization in the singer’s team, writing on X, “Hopefully this means no more messy releases !!”
Echoing the singer/actress’ point about growing apart, someone else posted, “When the vibe isn’t vibing anymore, it’s time to move on.”
Another person isn’t buying the amicable split story and thinks SZA is actually excited, writing, “nothing to celebrate” nah i know she’s jumping with joy rn.”
Fans have seen public rifts between SZA and her management before this as well. SZA has used social media to express frustration around delays for her last two albums as well, 2017's “Ctrl” and 2022's “SOS.” But when fans employed the hashtag #FreeSZA in 2020, the singer deleted her posts and defended her team. “Sometimes you gotta be patient... Sometimes no is a blessing,” she wrote. “I trust the people around me.” Only time will tell if this split between SZA and Punch persists over time.
Along with the new release of the “SOS” deluxe edition “Lana,” SZA is set to kick off her movie career in a big way. She’ll be co-starring alongside Keke Palmer in the buddy comedy “One of Them Days,” which hits theaters Jan. 17.