Artists Exit Wasserman Agency as Fallout Over Epstein-Linked Emails Widens
A growing number of musicians have cut ties with the Wasserman Group after newly surfaced Justice Department documents revealed past email exchanges between the agency’s founder, Casey Wasserman, and Ghislaine Maxwell, a longtime associate of Jeffrey Epstein.
Singer-songwriter Weyes Blood became the latest artist to announce her departure, stating on Instagram that she would no longer be represented by the agency. While expressing support for her booking agents, she made clear that her decision was final. “I have immense respect and affection for my booking agents, who are unfairly bearing the impact of the situation over at my booking agency, Wasserman,” she wrote. “As I continue conversations with them about their futures, I want to be unequivocally clear: I will not remain with Wasserman. Casey Wasserman’s behavior is fundamentally at odds with everything I value.”
Weyes Blood joins a list of artists who have exited the agency in recent days, including Chappell Roan, Orville Peck, Bethany Cosentino of Best Coast, Chelsea Cutler, Wednesday, Water From Your Eyes, and Beach Bunny. Several artists framed their departures as a matter of principle, while also acknowledging the difficult position faced by individual agents and staff members within the company.
Chappell Roan announced her split earlier in the week, emphasizing that representation must align with an artist’s ethical standards. “No artist, agent, or employee should ever be expected to defend or overlook actions that conflict so deeply with our own moral values,” she wrote. “I refuse to passively stand by.”
Orville Peck echoed similar sentiments, noting that while he respects many at the agency, he could not continue under its leadership. “I have made the decision to no longer be represented by Wasserman talent agency,” he said in a statement, adding that he leaves “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 of our work and livelihoods.”
Chelsea Cutler described her decision as a response to broader cultural frustrations. “In a time where many of us feel particularly angry, helpless, and exhausted by our country’s climate, it simply feels incongruent with my values to not speak up or take action,” she wrote, confirming that she would no longer be represented by Wasserman.
The controversy intensified after emails from 2003 between Wasserman and Maxwell became public as part of a new tranche of Epstein-related documents. In the messages, Wasserman made comments that many have described as inappropriate and suggestive. The correspondence dates back more than two decades, before Maxwell’s conviction and Epstein’s 2019 death.
In a statement to The New York Times, Wasserman said he regretted the exchanges. “I deeply regret my correspondence with Ghislaine Maxwell, which took place over two decades ago, long before her horrific crimes came to light,” he said. “I never had a personal or business relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.” He acknowledged participating in a 2002 humanitarian trip connected to the Clinton Foundation that involved travel on Epstein’s plane and expressed remorse for any association.
Despite the apology, criticism has continued to mount. Wasserman currently serves as chairman and president of the LA28 Olympic organizing committee, and some public officials have called for his resignation. He has reportedly stepped back from certain public appearances, including participation in Telemundo’s Playmakers event in Los Angeles this week.
The departures leave open questions about where the affected artists will seek representation. Several have expressed loyalty to their individual agents, suggesting they may follow them should those agents move to other firms or establish new ventures. Industry observers note that talent agencies often face instability when leadership controversies arise, and shifts in representation can unfold quickly.
