Chappell Roan, Dropkick Murphys Among Others Cut Ties With Wasserman Agency

A growing number of artists are speaking out against Casey Wasserman, chief executive officer of Wasserman talent agency, after his name appeared in newly released files related to Jeffrey Epstein. We've contacted the Wasserman agency for comment through its online press form.

Wasserman is facing scrutiny after emails he exchanged with Ghislaine Maxwell in 2003 were included in the latest release of the Epstein files. His agency represents numerous prominent artists and athletes. Wasserman is also serving as chair of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic organizing committee.

Epstein died by suicide in a federal jail in New York in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Maxwell was sentenced in 2022 for aiding Epstein in the trafficking of minors and is serving a 20-year prison sentence. She appeared before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee this week.

Questions about Epstein's relationships with political leaders, business executives and cultural figures have fueled speculation and conspiracy theories for years. The U.S. Department of Justice released new records related to Epstein in January, the largest release to date. Being named in released documents does not indicate wrongdoing.

Several artists have announced they are leaving the agency in response to the recent revelations.

Chappell Roan said she left the agency after learning Wasserman was named in the files.

"I hold my teams to the highest standards and have a duty to protect them as well," Roan wrote on Instagram. "No artist, agent or employee should ever be expected to defend or overlook actions that conflict so deeply with our own moral values."

The rock band Dropkick Murphys said they have "parted ways" with the agency, writing on Instagram, "It saddens us to part ways with [our agents], but the namesake of the agency is in the Epstein files so... we GONE."

The band Wednesday also said it would no longer be represented by Wasserman.

"Given the circumstances we feel strongly that we need to begin the process of extracting ourselves from Wasserman," the group wrote. "Continuing to be represented by a company led by and named after Casey Wasserman goes against our values and cannot continue."

Wednesday also urged Wasserman to step down "for the sake of his staff."

Beach Bunny wrote on Instagram that the band was "hugely disappointed and disgusted" to learn about Wasserman's connection to Maxwell. "We are demanding for [Wasserman] to remove himself and his name from the agency, 'deep regrets' are not enough," the band said.

Bethany Cosentino, lead singer of Best Coast, wrote on Instagram that she "did not consent to having my name or my career tied to someone with this kind of association to exploitation."

"Staying quiet isn't something I can do in good conscience - especially in a moment when men in power are so often protected, excused or allowed to move on without consequence," she wrote.

Musician Chelsea Cutler also said she will no longer be represented by Wasserman, writing, "I am deeply troubled by the idea of perpetuating this normalization and tolerance."

Who is Casey Wasserman?

Wasserman is an American sports and entertainment executive and the founder and CEO of Wasserman, a global sports marketing and talent agency representing thousands of athletes and artists. His role as chair of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics puts him at the center of one of the world's largest sporting events.

He is the grandson of Hollywood mogul Lew Wasserman and is a longtime political donor.

A review of Federal Election Commission records showed Wasserman has donated to both Democrats and Republicans, including former President Barack Obama, then-Sen. Hillary Clinton, Sen. John McCain before the 2008 election, and Clinton again in 2016. Recent donations include contributions to Senate Majority Leader John Thune, House Speaker Mike Johnson and Sen. Susan Collins, as well as Democratic groups such as the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove, D-Calif.

Calls are circulating on social media for Wasserman to step down as chairman of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.