Chappell Roan and Wednesday leave Wasserman Music over CEO’s Epstein files connection
Chappell Roan and Wednesday have led the boycott of Wasserman Music after the CEO was named in the Epstein files.
Casey Wasserman, who founded the talent and booking agency, communicated heavily with Ghislaine Maxwell in 2003, who was later jailed in 2022 for 20 years for conspiring with Jeffrey Epstein to sexually abuse minors.
After the correspondence emerged, Wasserman, who is also the chair of the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, apologised. He stated, “I deeply regret my correspondence with Ghislaine Maxwell which took place over two decades ago, long before her horrific crimes came to light.”
Wasserman continued, “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.”
Now, Chappell Roan, one of the biggest names on the Wasserman roster, alongside Coldplay, Kendrick Lamar, Katseye, My Chemical Romance, Sleep Token, Tyler, the Creator and The xx, has quit the agency.
Roan wrote on Instagram, “As of today, I am no longer represented by Wasserman, the talent agency led by Casey Wasserman.”
While the ‘Pink Pony Club‘ singer didn’t directly mention the Epstein files, she added, “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.”
Roan went on to say that she has “deep respect and appreciation” for those who do “work tirelessly for their artists” and said she refuses to “passively stand by”.
The Grammy-winner concluded, “Artists deserve representation that aligns with their values and supports their safety and dignity. This decision reflects my belief that meaningful change in our industry requires accountability and leadership that earns trust.”
Wednesday have also left Wasserman Music. They explained to fans on social media that “continuing to be represented by a company led by and named after Casey Wasserman goes against our values and cannot continue”.
They added, “For the sake of his staff we hope that he steps down from his company and it is rebranded, but until that happens or we find a new home at a new agency we will not continue to be associated with Wasserman.”
Meanwhile, Water from Your Eyes also issued a statement on social media distancing themselves from Wasserman Music, stating they have “no interest in being affiliated with Casey Wasserman” and are “waiting to understand what our options are”.
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