Casey Wasserman, the prominent Hollywood talent agent and chairman of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, is selling his agency, Wasserman Group, following the surfacing of emails linking him to Jeffrey Epstein and his associate, Ghislaine Maxwell. The decision, announced , comes after a wave of artists severed ties with the agency in response to the revelations.
In a memo to staff, Wasserman acknowledged becoming a “distraction” to the business he founded . He apologized for “past personal mistakes” that have caused “so much discomfort” to employees, clients and partners. The move signals a significant shift for Wasserman Group, which represents a vast roster of high-profile musicians and athletes, including Kendrick Lamar, Coldplay, and Skrillex.
The controversy erupted after the Justice Department released a new tranche of documents related to Epstein, revealing a series of emails between Wasserman and Maxwell dating back to and . The emails, as reported by Rolling Stone, contained suggestive language, including a request from Wasserman asking Maxwell, “What do I have to do to see you in a tight leather outfit?” and a later message inquiring about booking a massage, to which Maxwell responded with a provocative reply. Wasserman has maintained that his interactions with Epstein were limited to a humanitarian trip to Africa with the Clinton Foundation in and a “handful of emails that I deeply regret sending.”
The fallout from the released documents was swift. Artists began publicly distancing themselves from Wasserman Group, citing the unacceptable nature of the revealed correspondence. Chappell Roan, Wednesday, Weyes Blood, Orville Peck, and numerous others announced they were leaving the agency. Bethany Cosentino of the band Best Coast stated she “did not consent to having my name or my career tied to someone with this kind of association to exploitation.” The agency even removed its artist roster from its website last weekend, a visible sign of the turmoil within.
Wasserman’s position as chairman of the Los Angeles Olympics has also come under scrutiny. While he intends to continue focusing on preparations for the games, the scandal raises questions about the vetting process for high-profile figures involved in the event. The Olympic committee has not yet issued a statement regarding the situation.
Mike Watts, a longtime agency executive, will assume day-to-day leadership of Wasserman Group during the transition. The sale of the agency is expected to reshape the landscape of talent representation in both the music and sports industries. The agency’s future direction and the impact on its clients remain to be seen.
The situation underscores the growing pressure on individuals with ties to Epstein and Maxwell to face accountability for their associations. The release of these documents, and the subsequent reactions, demonstrate a heightened awareness of the severity of Epstein’s crimes and the importance of addressing complicity and enabling behavior. The case serves as a stark reminder of the lasting consequences of association, even in the absence of direct involvement in criminal activity.
Wasserman’s apology acknowledged the “pain experienced by the victims of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell,” but the damage to his reputation and the agency’s standing appears substantial. The exodus of talent and the decision to sell the company represent a significant reckoning for a figure who once held considerable power in Hollywood. The coming months will reveal the long-term implications of this scandal for Wasserman, Wasserman Group, and the broader entertainment industry.
If you or someone you know has been affected by inappropriate sexual behavior, we encourage you to reach out for support:
RAINN Hotline
http://www.rainn.org
1 800 656 HOPE (4673)
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SMS: Text “HERE” to 741-741
