The fallout from newly released documents related to Jeffrey Epstein’s network is intensifying within the entertainment industry, with mounting calls for Wasserman Music founder Casey Wasserman to step down. The pressure is coming not only from public figures but also from within his own client roster, most notably from Bethany Cosentino, frontwoman for the band Best Coast.
Cosentino publicly criticized Wasserman on social media, responding to his statement regarding previously known correspondence with Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s associate convicted of sex trafficking. The recently unsealed court documents revealed sexually suggestive messages exchanged between Wasserman and Maxwell, adding a new layer of scrutiny to their relationship. While Wasserman had previously acknowledged flying on Epstein’s plane in 2002 as part of a Clinton Foundation delegation, the content of these messages has ignited a firestorm of criticism.
Wasserman, who also chairs the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics organizing committee, issued a statement to The Hollywood Reporter expressing regret for his correspondence with Maxwell, stating it occurred “long before her horrific crimes came to light.” He reiterated that he never had a personal or business relationship with Epstein. However, Cosentino dismissed this as insufficient, writing that “Regret without accountability is just damage control.”
“We are tired of learning, over and over, that men who control access, resources, money and so-called safety in our industry are given endless grace,” Cosentino wrote. “We are tired of being asked to treat proximity to something horrific as an unfortunate situation we should simply move past — especially when the person involved still holds all the power.”
Cosentino’s protest goes beyond a general statement of disapproval. She explicitly stated her intention to distance herself and Best Coast from the Wasserman agency. “I am not in the Wasserman business,” she wrote, adding that she has requested the removal of her and the band’s names from the company website. She further criticized Wasserman for the position he has placed his agents in, calling for his resignation and a change of the agency’s name.
The released messages between Wasserman and Maxwell are particularly damning. In one exchange, Maxwell remarked that she “thought of [Wasserman] at inappropriate moments,” to which Wasserman responded with a sexually charged message inquiring about seeing her in “a tight leather outfit.” Another exchange detailed explicit suggestions regarding a massage and subsequent sexual encounter. These messages, revealed in documents available through the Department of Justice, paint a disturbing picture of their interactions.
Wasserman Music represents a significant roster of talent, including Chappell Roan and Kendrick Lamar. The agency has faced scrutiny before; Billie Eilish previously left Wasserman following reports of alleged sexual misconduct claims against Wasserman, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. This latest controversy adds to a pattern of concerns surrounding the agency’s leadership.
The repercussions extend beyond the entertainment industry. Janice Hahn, a Los Angeles County Supervisor, has publicly called for Wasserman to resign from his position with the 2028 Olympics organizing committee, stating that his continued involvement “distracts focus from our athletes and the enormous effort needed to prepare for 2028.” As reported by the Los Angeles Times, Hahn believes Wasserman’s presence on the world stage is a detriment to the Games.
Cosentino’s public stance is a significant development, demonstrating a growing willingness among artists to hold powerful figures accountable for their associations and actions. Her direct call for Wasserman’s removal and her decision to disassociate herself from the agency signal a potential shift in the dynamics between talent and their representation. The situation remains fluid, but the pressure on Casey Wasserman to address these allegations and consider his future with Wasserman Music is undeniably mounting.