More Artists Drop Wasserman Amid Epstein Files Fallout

Photo Credit: Tyler Callahan

A slew of celebrities have called it quits with the Wasserman Agency over its CEO’s connections to Ghislaine Maxwell in the released Epstein files.

Casey Wasserman’s talent agency is hemorrhaging its talent, as a growing list of celebrities have walked away amid the CEO’s connections in the released Epstein files and emails. As a result, even his agents are reportedly threatening to walk away.

The biggest name to have announced a split from Wasserman Agency has thus far been Chappell Roan, but a cavalcade of indie artists and other stars have announced departing the agency or called out the company’s CEO specifically.

Chappell Roan

The Grammy-winning Best New Artist left the agency on February 9: “No artist, agent, or employee should ever be expected to defend or overlook actions that conflict so deeply with our own moral values.”

Dropkick Murphys

The band released a statement on Instagram announcing their decision to leave: “We love our agents. They are great partners. We signed with them years before they merged with Wasserman,” they wrote. “It saddens us to part ways with them, but the namesake of the agency is in the Epstein files, so… We GONE.”

Beach Bunny

On February 9, the indie rockers called on Wasserman to resign from the agency: “We are demanding for Wasserman to remove himself and his name from the agency. ‘Deep regrets’ are not enough.”

Bethany Cosentino (Best Coast)

The singer-songwriter was the first artist to leave the agency over Wasserman’s connection to the Epstein files: “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. Pretending this isn’t a big deal is not an option for me.”

Chelsea Cutler

The alt-pop singer left Wasserman on February 10: “While I am grateful for my day-to-day team at the agency, I cannot in good conscience be a complicit participant and remain silent witnessing their unethical actions,” she wrote on Instagram.

John Summit

John Summit released a statement on X/Twitter, “If Casey Wasserman doesn’tn step down, I will not remain with the agency. His actions do not reflect the integrity of the agents I work with, and if this change does not happen, we will take our talents elsewhere.”

Orville Peck

The country star announced his departure on February 11: “I leave with a huge amount of compassion for the rest of the agents and staff at the agency, who are being left with a situation that impacts all our work and livelihoods.”

Salute (DJ and producer)

The EDM producer announced parting ways with Wasserman on February 7: “I’m looking to leave Wasserman btw and if you’re on their roster, you should chat to your agent about doing the same.”

Sylvan Esso

The group wrote on Instagram: “We have been with our amazing agent for our entire career (since way before Wasserman acquired their former company in 2021), but she is just one of hundreds of brilliant agents, assistants, and other employees whose lives have been completely upended by both his behavior and his inability to be accountable for his actions.”

Abby Wambach (Olympian and podcaster)

The Olympian became the first athlete to announce leaving Wasserman: “I will not participate in any business arrangements under his leadership. […] I’m grateful to my agent who I’ve known for almost 20 years and trust. Casey should resign.”

Water From Your Eyes

The alt band posted about their connection to the agency and that they have “no interest in being affiliated with Casey,” but reportedly did not officially depart. They said they are discussing their options with their agents.

Wednesday

The indie rock duo announced leaving Wasserman on February 10: “Continuing to be represented by a company led by and named after Casey Wasserman goes against our values and cannot continue.”

Weyes Blood

The indie pop artist confirmed departing the agency on February 11: “As I continue conversations with [my booking agents] about their futures, I want to be unequivocally clear: I will not be remaining with Wasserman.”

Alicia Bognanno (Bully)

The frontwoman said on social media that cutting ties with Wasserman was “an easy decision,” and that no amount of money could keep her or her band on the roster. “I’ve worked at a gas station before and I’ll do it again if I need to.”

Notably, Wasserman has not been accused of any wrongdoing in connection with Jeffrey Epstein, but documents recently released by the Justice Department revealed emails Wasserman exchanged with Epstein collaborator and convicted sex offender Ghislaine Maxwell.

Wasserman is also the chairman of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics (LA28), but so far that position appears to remain intact. According to journalist Alissa Walker, 11 Los Angeles officials have asked for Wasserman to step down from the Olympics committee, including committee head Kenneth Mejia and councilor Nithya Raman, the latter of whom recently announced her run for mayor. LA County supervisor Janice Hahn also told the LA Times that Wasserman “needs to step down.”

On Wednesday, the LA28 board’s executive committee met to discuss Wasserman’s appearance in the recently released tranche of Epstein emails. The board said that with the help of an outside legal firm, it conducted a review of Wasserman’s past interactions with both Epstein and Maxwell, and that Wasserman fully cooperated.

“We found Mr. Wasserman’s relationship with Epstein and Maxwell did not go beyond what has already been publicly documented,” the committee announced. “The Executive Committee of the Board has determined that based on these facts, as well as the strong leadership he has exhibited over the past ten years, Mr. Wasserman should continue to lead LA28 and deliver a safe and successful Games.”

Last month, Wasserman released a statement asserting “deep regret” for his correspondence with Maxwell, which he noted occurred “long before her horrific crimes came to light.” He also added that he “never had a personal or business relationship” with Epstein.

Wasserman was among a list of entertainment industry figures who accompanied former U.S. President Bill Clinton aboard Epstein’s jet for a philanthropy-related trip to Africa in 2002. This, he claims, was the only time he met Epstein.