Association Degradation: Chappell Roan Steps Down from Wasserman Talent Agency After CEO’s Appearance in Epstein Files

By: Olivia Woloz

On Monday, Feb. 9, Grammy-winning Pop Artist, Chappell Roan announced that she would be exiting her record deal with Casey Wasserman, CEO of Wasserman Media Group. After his name was found across the recently released Epstein files in emails with convicted sex trafficker, Ghislaine Maxwell, Roan made the executive choice to disassociate her name with Wasserman’s. A day after her withdrawal from the media group, Roan posted to her Instagram story, “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.” She continued to mention that she was grateful for the hardworking staff employed by Wasserman and appreciates all they had done for her.

Although not mentioning Epstein or Maxwell explicitly, Roan decreed that she deserved trustworthy and accountable leadership which she did not foresee continuing with Wasserman. Since this information has been unveiled, Wasserman is facing pressures to remove himself from his talent agency and to step down from the Los Angeles Olympic organizing committee of which he is a chairman. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter he apologized for his past actions. “I deeply regret my correspondence with Ghislaine Maxwell which took place over two decades ago, long before her horrific crimes came to light. I never had a personal or business relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.” His association in general, however, was enough to make not just Chappell Roan but other artists – for example the Irish band, Dropkick Murphys – to speak out as well.

Wasserman represents some of the world’s top artists. Many have already spoken out against him announcing that although they have worked alongside him and his staff for many years, they don’t want their name to be associated with someone attached to such people and activities. These artists include names such as Lili Trifilio, guitarist and vocalist for Beach Bunny, Wednesday, an indie-rock band from North Carolina, and Bethany Cosentino, frontwoman of the band Best Coast. Other Wasserman clients include Kendrick Lamar, Tyler the Creator, Coldplay, Joni Mitchell, and Lorde. These artists have not yet spoken out against Wasserman or announced leaving the agency.