Artists Flee Wasserman Agency Amid Epstein-Maxwell Link

Casey Wasserman, head of the Wasserman Music agency and chairman of the LA28 Olympics committee, faces a wave of departures from his music clients. New documents from the Jeffrey Epstein case show personal emails between Wasserman and Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's associate convicted of sex trafficking. Artists say they want out, and some local leaders call for Wasserman to quit his Olympic post. This comes as the agency decides its next steps this week.

Background

Wasserman built his agency starting in 2002, right after a trip to Africa. Former President Bill Clinton led that humanitarian mission, and Wasserman joined with his wife at the time, Laura. They flew on Jeffrey Epstein's plane as part of a group from the Clinton Foundation. Epstein was a financier later convicted of sex crimes, and Maxwell got 20 years in prison in 2022 for helping him abuse girls.

Back then, Wasserman was stepping out from his family name. His grandfather Lew Wasserman was a big Hollywood figure, but Casey chose sports and music. He grew the company to represent athletes like Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto and musicians such as Kendrick Lamar, Chappell Roan, Kacey Musgraves, and Coldplay. The agency now has about 4,000 employees and handles talent booking, marketing, and more.

The Africa trip led to emails between Wasserman and Maxwell. These messages came out in late January when the U.S. Department of Justice released Epstein files. They show flirty talk from early 2003, months after the trip. Wasserman wrote things like thinking of her all the time and asking what it would take to see her in a tight leather outfit. Maxwell replied with offers of massages that could drive a man wild. They joked about meeting up in Los Angeles and other spots.

Around that time, Laura Wasserman gave birth to their first son. The couple separated in 2021. Reports from 2024 claimed Wasserman had affairs with staff, but he denied them.

Key Details

The emails hit the news on January 30. Wasserman put out a statement soon after. He said the messages happened over 20 years ago, before Maxwell's crimes were known. He stressed he had no personal or business tie to Epstein, just that one plane ride for the Clinton trip.

"I am terribly sorry for having any association with either of them," Wasserman said in his statement.

Artists reacted fast. Bethany Cosentino from Best Coast posted a long letter online. She has been with Wasserman Music since 2021 but said she is in the Sam Hunt business, not Wasserman's. She asked to have her name and the band's removed from the agency site.

"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. "This is a call for him to step down and a change of business name be imminent."

The band Wednesday announced it would sever ties. "Casey Wasserman goes against our values," they said. Other unnamed artists gave their agents ultimatums: Wasserman must step down and sell his stake, or they leave. Sources say the pressure is building inside the agency.

Impact on Olympics Role

Wasserman chairs the LA28 committee, which runs the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games. Some Los Angeles officials want him gone. L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn said his role distracts from athletes and prep work.

"I think Casey Wasserman needs to step down," Hahn said. "Having him represent us on the world stage distracts focus from our athletes and the enormous effort needed to prepare for 2028."

The LA28 board still backs him for now. Clinton also spoke out, calling for full release of Epstein files and offering to testify.

What This Means

For Wasserman Music, losing big names like Best Coast and Wednesday could hurt bookings and deals. The agency reps stars who draw crowds and revenue. If more follow, it might force a sale or name change. Agents inside are caught in the middle, telling clients they had no idea about the emails.

Wasserman's Olympic job hangs in balance. The games are three years away, and LA wants a clean image. Calls to quit come from politicians who say the scandal pulls eyes off sports. But Olympic leaders have not moved against him yet. His sports side, with athlete clients, seems quieter so far.

The agency plans to decide its path this week. Artists want Wasserman out as CEO and owner. He holds power in both music and Olympics, and the Epstein links test that. Past cases, like Billie Eilish leaving over other issues, show clients act when trust breaks.

Broader music world watches. Agencies handle tours, festivals, and contracts. If one leader's old ties cause exits, others might face checks. Wasserman says regret, but artists want action. The week ahead will show if he stays or goes.

This hits entertainment hard. Music relies on reps who book shows and negotiate pay. A shakeup at Wasserman could shift power to rivals. For fans, it means possible tour changes if acts jump ship fast. Olympics prep goes on, but leaders must pick focus amid noise.