The revelation of links to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein has thrown one of the world’s leading talent and music agencies, Wasserman Music Agency, into crisis. Allegations connecting the agency’s founder and CEO, Casey Wasserman, to Epstein’s close associate Ghislaine Maxwell have prompted a wave of departures by high-profile artists and raised questions about the agency’s future.
According to entertainment industry publication Variety, decisions on the agency’s fate may be finalised within the week. Under intense pressure from both artists and executives, options on the table include Casey Wasserman’s resignation, the sale of the company, or a structural overhaul.
Artists and Agents Depart
Several top-tier artists have already begun severing ties with the agency. Representatives have reportedly urged Wasserman to step aside or relinquish control of the company. Efforts to resolve the situation through executive-level meetings are ongoing.
Wasserman, who also serves as Chairman of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games Organising Committee, is facing calls to resign from that position as well. The crisis has exposed vulnerabilities in the agency’s structure: while artists can relatively easily switch representation, agents are typically bound by longer-term contracts, creating complex ripple effects when key agents leave.
Notable Artist Departures
| Artist / Band | Genre / Notability |
|---|---|
| Bethany Cosentino | Lead vocalist, Best Coast band |
| Chappell Roan | Pop artist |
| Wednesday | Indie music project |
| Water from Your Eyes | Indie band |
| Beach Bunny | Indie band |
Other prominent artists previously associated with Wasserman—including Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, Childish Gambino, Kendrick Lamar, Lorde, FISH, Raye, SZA, Joni Mitchell, Taylor Swift, and The Creator—have been removed from the agency’s website, reportedly at their request.
Depth of the Crisis
The turmoil extends beyond artists. Agents face uncertainty as the exodus of talent often leads to cascading departures within the agency. Though Casey Wasserman is not implicated in any criminal activity related to Epstein, records indicate he travelled on Epstein’s plane in 2002 during a humanitarian tour with a Clinton Foundation delegation and exchanged personal emails with Maxwell. Wasserman has publicly apologised and continues to engage in philanthropic and social initiatives.
With artists leaving, agents unsettled, investors concerned, and the agency’s public image tarnished, the coming days may prove pivotal. Industry insiders suggest that the agency’s strategic decisions this week could determine whether Wasserman Music Agency stabilises or undergoes a fundamental transformation.