The music industry is roiling this week as Chappell Roan and a growing list of indie artists have cut ties with the talent agency Wasserman Music. The Wasserman exodus follows the release of the Epstein files under the 2025 Transparency Act, which revealed blush-worthy correspondence between agency founder Casey Wasserman and convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell.
The Casey Wasserman and Ghislaine Maxwell Emails: “Tight Leather,” “Naked Beach,” and More
The controversy centers on a series of emails from 2003, while Wasserman was married. While the business mogul has not been accused of criminal activity, the flirty exchanges with Ghislaine Maxwell have given lots of readers the ick.
“I think of you all the time. So, what do I have to do to see you in a tight leather outfit?”
— Casey Wasserman to Ghislaine Maxwell, March 2003
Other leaked messages include Maxwell asking Wasserman if a future visit would be foggy enough for him to “float naked down the beach” without being seen, to which he replied, “or something like that.”
Wasserman issued a statement on February 7th, 2026, expressing “deep regret” for the correspondence, claiming it occurred long before Maxwell’s crimes were known. He also addressed his 2002 flight on Jeffrey Epstein’s private jet, describing it as a “humanitarian trip” with the Clinton Foundation.
The Wasserman Music Exodus: Artists Who Have Left or Asked Wasserman to Resign
Best Coast’s Bethany Cosentino kicked off the firestorm with an open letter on Threads in which she called for Wasserman to resign. “I’m speaking out because pretending this is normal isn’t normal,” she wrote. Wednesday, Sylvan Esso, Beach Bunny, Water from Your Eyes, and others soon followed. Chappell Roan is the biggest name to announce her departure so far, but as we’ll get to, she might not have that distinction for long.
| Artist / Group | Statement on Departure |
|---|---|
| Beach Bunny | “We are demanding for Wasserman to remove himself and his name from the agency; ‘deep regrets’ are not enough.” |
| Best Coast (Bethany Cosentino) | “I did not consent to having my name or my career tied to someone with this kind of association to exploitation.” |
| Chappell Roan | “Artists deserve representation that aligns with their values and supports their safety and dignity.” |
| Chelsea Cutler | “I cannot in good conscience be a complicit participant and remain silent witnessing these unethical actions.” |
| Dropkick Murphys | “The namesake of the agency is in the Epstein files so… we GONE.” |
| Sylvan Esso | “We along with many other musicians, are leaving the Wasserman agency.” |
| Water from Your Eyes | Stated they have “zero intention of condoning his actions by silently remaining under his namesake banner.” |
| Wednesday | “Continuing to be represented by a company led by and named after Casey Wasserman goes against our values.” |
Will Coldplay and Ed Sheeran Exit Next?
Reports from Hollywood insider Matthew Beloni indicate that Marty Diamond, the legendary touring agent for Coldplay and Ed Sheeran, is currently trying to extricate himself from the firm. The stakes are high. If Diamond successfully moves his roster, Wasserman Music loses some of its most profitable assets. Rival agencies CAA, WME, and UTA are said to be salivating at the prospect of a total collapse, while Wasserman’s backer, Providence Equity Partners, is reportedly engaged in tense conversations to save the investment.
NBA All-Star Weekend and the Jeanie Buss Fundraiser
The timing of the scandal couldn’t be much worse for Wasserman. The agency is set to host major events during NBA All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles (Feb 13th-15th), and according to Beloni, in this environment “optics” are everything. High-profile athletes and corporate sponsors are reportedly wary of being associated with the brand.
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Furthermore, local organizers are “freaking out” over a February 26th fundraiser for The Wallis in Beverly Hills. Wasserman is scheduled to be honored alongside Lakers owner Jeanie Buss, but pressure is mounting for the board to pivot.
Pressure on LA28: Will Casey Wasserman Resign from the Olympics?
Beyond the music world, Casey Wasserman serves as the chairman of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, and the Epstein files drop has led to a political firestorm. LA City Council members and County Supervisor Janice Hahn have publicly called for his resignation, stating that his leadership is now a “distraction” from the Games.
As of today, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has expressed “full trust” in the LA28 team, but with artists fleeing his agency daily, and even NBA stars getting queasy, the pressure for him to step aside is reportedly growing.
Quick Facts: The Wasserman-Epstein Connection
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- The Plane: Wasserman flew on the “Lolita Express” in 2002 as part of a Clinton Foundation delegation.
- The Emails: Dated 2003, they contain suggestive and flirty language with Ghislaine Maxwell.
- The Fallout: Several major artists have signaled their intent to leave Wasserman Music in the last 48 hours.
- The Law: The files were released due to the Epstein Files Transparency Act passed in late 2025.
