Chappell Roan has joined a group of artists walking away from music talent agency Wasserman Group following the revelation of risqué emails exchanged between its founder Casey Wasserman and convicted sex offender Ghislaine Maxwell in the latest tranche of Jeffrey Epstein files released by the Justice Department.
“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,” wrote Roan in an Instagram Stories post on Monday, Feb. 9. “No artist, agent or employee should ever be expected to defend or overlook actions that conflict so deeply with our own moral values. I have deep respect and appreciation for the agents and staff who work tirelessly for their artists and I refuse to passively stand by.”
Roan, who has championed for better health insurance and treatment of artists during her 2025 Grammys speech, added on Monday’s announcement that “Artists deserve representation that aligns with their values and supports their safety and dignity.” The musician ended her note by saying the decision “reflects my belief that meaningful change in our industry requires accountability and leadership that earns trust.”
Last week, Best Coast’s Bethany Cosentino, Wednesday, Water From Your Eyes, and Beach Bunny also announced their departure from Wasserman Group.
In a previous statement, Wasserman expressed regret over his association with Maxwell and Epstein. “I deeply regret my correspondence with Ghislaine Maxwell, which took place over two decades ago, long before her horrific crimes came to light,” he told The New York Times. “I never had a personal or business relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. As is well documented, I went on a humanitarian trip as part of a delegation with the Clinton Foundation in 2002 on the Epstein plane. I am terribly sorry for having any association with either of them.”
Reps for Wasserman and Roan did not immediately reply to Rolling Stone‘s requests for comment. Wasserman, the grandson of Hollywood agent Lew Wasserman, has not been charged with anything or accused of any wrongdoing by the Justice Department.
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Los Angeles officials have called on Wasserman to resign as chairman of the organizing committee for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. “I think Casey Wasserman needs to step down,” L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn said in a statement to Rolling Stone. “Having him represent us on the world stage distracts focus from our athletes and the enormous effort needed to prepare for 2028.”
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Tension has been building inside Wasserman for days, ever since the agency’s namesake appeared at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan, as part of his 2028 Olympic duties. But several sources tell Rolling Stone that Wasserman had already been confronted by executive leadership prior to the latest revelation and questioned about the nature of his relationship with Epstein. According to one person privy to the meeting, Wasserman assured his senior staff that “there’s nothing else” that would come out involving his implication or association with the Epstein-Maxwell trials. Then, the emails in the latest Epstein files dropped, leaving his closest associates feeling betrayed.
The evolution of Wasserman as one of Hollywood’s top agencies, with branches covering music, film, TV, sports, and brands, is itself a dramatic one. In 2021, Wasserman acquired the music business clients of Paradigm, leaving its film, television, and literary agents behind. In bolstering its live-music touring division, Wasserman instantly became a major player. A year later, it added Paradigm’s U.K. music clients to the roster, including Roan, who was signed out of England.
