Pop singer Chappell Roan announced that she is no longer represented by the Wasserman Agency, led by Casey Wasserman, the chief of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Her decision comes after Wasserman faced scrutiny over flirtatious emails he exchanged with convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell more than 20 years ago.
The emails, dating from 2003, were included in documents recently released by the U.S. Justice Department relating to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, Maxwell’s former boyfriend. Wasserman, who was married at the time, has apologised for the communications, saying the interactions occurred before Maxwell or Epstein’s crimes were publicly known. He has denied any personal or business relationship with Epstein.
Roan explained on Instagram that her departure reflects her belief that artists «deserve representation that aligns with their values and supports their safety and dignity,» adding that accountability and leadership are needed to restore trust in the industry.
Other artists follow suit
Other artists are also moving away from the agency, including Best Coast’s Bethany Cosentino and indie acts Wednesday, Water From Your Eyes, and Beach Bunny. Sources tell Variety that agents presented Wasserman with an ultimatum to step down or sell the company, which he has so far declined. Wasserman is scheduled to meet with senior executives this week to discuss the future of the agency.
The Wasserman Agency, founded in 2021 after a merger of Wasserman’s sports division with former Paradigm agents and their artists, represents hundreds of high-profile acts, including Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, Childish Gambino, Kendrick Lamar, Lorde, Phish, SZA, Joni Mitchell, Janelle Monae, Tyler, the Creator, and many others. In response to the departures, the agency removed its artist roster from its website.
The situation is complicated by contractual arrangements, as agents are often bound to long-term contracts of three to five years, while artists are free to leave. Agents also tend to maintain longstanding loyalty with artists, frequently moving together between companies over decades.
Sources said tensions over the issue intensified over the weekend and continue to escalate, with executives exploring options to keep the agency intact, including potential buyouts of divisions.
Wasserman’s past controversies
While Wasserman has no connection to Epstein’s criminal activities, he has been documented as taking Epstein’s private jet once on a 2002 humanitarian trip and exchanging suggestive emails with Maxwell. He has publicly apologised, saying he is «terribly sorry for having any association with either of them.»
This is the second recent controversy for Wasserman. In July 2024, during the Paris Olympics, a report surfaced alleging that he had engaged in multiple affairs with junior employees over several years. The report prompted some artists, including Billie Eilish, to leave the agency, although sources indicate her departure was already in progress at the time.
