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Grammy-winning singer Chappell Roan has severed ties with Wasserman, the talent agency headed by entertainment industry executive Casey Wasserman, following the revelation of his name in recently released Jeffrey Epstein-related government files.
Roan announced her departure on Instagram Monday, stating: “As of today, I am no longer represented by Wasserman, the talent agency led by Casey Wasserman. I hold my teams to the highest standards and have a duty to protect them as well. No artist, agent or employee should ever be expected to defend or overlook actions that conflict so deeply with our own moral values.”
While Wasserman has not been accused of any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein, Justice Department documents revealed he exchanged flirtatious emails with Ghislaine Maxwell in 2003. Maxwell was later convicted of helping Epstein recruit and sexually abuse victims and is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence.
In one exchange included in the files, Wasserman told Maxwell: “I think of you all the time. So, what do I have to do to see you in a tight leather outfit?”
Wasserman addressed these revelations on January 31, stating he “deeply regrets” his correspondence with Maxwell, which he said occurred “long before her horrific crimes came to light.” He emphasized, “I never had a personal or business relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.”
The entertainment executive was among several high-profile figures, including actors Kevin Spacey and Chris Tucker, who accompanied former President Bill Clinton aboard Epstein’s jet for a philanthropy trip to Africa in 2002. Wasserman told the Los Angeles Times on February 8 that this was his only interaction with Epstein and that he “never witnessed anything inappropriate” during the trip.
At the time of Wasserman’s communications with Maxwell in 2003, there had been no public reports of wrongdoing by either Maxwell or Epstein, who first came under police investigation in 2005. The government records don’t show any correspondence between Wasserman and Maxwell after 2003.
Roan’s departure has sparked a wave of similar actions from other Wasserman-represented artists. Alt-country band Wednesday announced on Instagram they were “beginning the process of extracting ourselves from Wasserman,” stating that “continuing to be represented by a company led by and named after Casey Wasserman goes against our values.”
Indie rock band Beach Bunny demanded “Wasserman remove himself and his name from the agency,” declaring that “‘deep regrets’ are not enough.” New York duo Water From Your Eyes expressed “no interest in being affiliated with Casey Wasserman,” while electropop pair Sylvan Esso confirmed they were “leaving the Wasserman agency” with “no intention of being anywhere he is.”
Last week, Best Coast’s Bethany Cosentino published an open letter urging Wasserman to step down, emphasizing that “Ghislaine Maxwell is not a neutral character in a messy story—she is a convicted sex trafficker who helped facilitate the abuse of minors.”
Wasserman has built a powerful sports and talent agency representing top athletes across major American sports leagues and A-list entertainers including Adam Sandler, Brad Pitt, Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, Kacey Musgraves, and Lorde. As the grandson of movie mogul Lew Wasserman, he has established himself as a significant figure in the entertainment industry.
Beyond his agency work, Wasserman has been the public face of Los Angeles’ Olympic efforts and was instrumental in securing the 2028 Summer Games for the city—the first Summer Olympics in the United States since Atlanta in 1996. Despite growing pressure, the International Olympic Committee appears reluctant to intervene. When asked if Wasserman remained the right person to oversee the upcoming Games, IOC president Kirsty Coventry stated, “From the IOC point of view, the (organizing committee) and how they are structured is not something we are going to get involved into.”
Wasserman now faces mounting calls from lawmakers and political figures in Los Angeles to relinquish his position as chair of the Olympic project he has led since the city’s initial hosting bid eleven years ago.
Representatives for both Roan and Wasserman did not immediately respond to The Associated Press’ requests for comment on the situation.
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6 Comments
I’m glad to see Chappell Roan taking a strong stance on this. Representing victims of abuse should be a top priority, not enabling or overlooking such actions. Kudos to her for the principled decision.
It’s encouraging to see artists using their platform to hold industry leaders accountable. Roan’s actions demonstrate the power of individual moral courage.
The Epstein scandal continues to cast a dark shadow over the entertainment industry. Talent agencies must be held to the highest ethical standards to protect their clients and employees.
This is a troubling situation. While the details are unclear, any association with Epstein and his enablers is very concerning. Artists and employees deserve to work in an environment of the highest integrity.
While the details are still emerging, Roan’s decision to sever ties with Wasserman reflects the growing intolerance for any association with Epstein’s network of enablers. The industry must reckon with these issues.
This is a complex situation, but Roan is right to prioritize her moral values over business interests. The industry needs more leaders willing to take principled stances like this.