Chappell Roan has left the talent agency Wasserman Music after the company’s founder and CEO, Casey Wasserman, appeared in the Jeffrey Epstein files recently released by the Justice Department. The pop star explained her decision in an Instagram story this evening (February 9), citing a need to keep her team safe.
“As of today, I am no longer represented by Wasserman, the talent agency led by Casey Wasserman,” wrote Roan. “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. I have deep respect and appreciation for the agents and staff who work tirelessly for their artists and I refuse to passively stand by. Artists deserve representation that aligns with their values and supports their safety and dignity. This decision reflects my belief that meaningful change in our industry requires accountability and leadership that earns trust.” Roan was formerly represented by Jackie Nalpant, Kiely Mosiman, Adele Slater, and Anna Bewers at Wasserman.
Wasserman is one of the largest talent agencies in the music business, with a roster boasting hundreds of artists, including Kendrick Lamar, Lorde, Phish, SZA, Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, Childish Gambino, Janelle Monae, Animal Collective, Geese, and Tyler, the Creator. Over the weekend, Wasserman’s artist roster was removed from its website.
Earlier today, Wednesday openly parted ways with the agency. Their move followed a handful of other public statements by artists who are also on Wasserman. Beach Bunny, Water From Your Eyes, Salute, and a group of music agents at the company all called for Casey Wasserman to step down and threatened to resign.
Last week, Best Coast frontwoman Bethany Cosentino shared an open letter to Wasserman, urging him to exit the company. “I’m speaking out because pretending this is normal isn’t normal. Because people in power can’t keep skating by,” she wrote. “Artists are not interchangeable assets. We are people. Many of us are women. Many of us, myself included, are survivors. We deserve systems that let us work without asking us to compromise our values in exchange for opportunity.”
