Grammy-winning pop artist Chappell Roan has announced she is severing ties with the Wasserman talent agency, led by entertainment executive Casey Wasserman, who has been tied to the recently disclosed government documents connected to the Jeffrey Epstein case. The move, made public via Roan’s social media on February 9, highlights a growing backlash within the creative industries as artists weigh their professional affiliations against broader ethical concerns.

Roan, known for chart-hits like ‘Pink Pony Club’ and her charismatic public presence, announced in an Instagram statement that she is “no longer represented by Wasserman, the talent agency led by Casey Wasserman.” She framed the decision not only as a professional one but a moral one too, emphasising that “no artist, agent or employee should ever be expected to defend or overlook actions that conflict so deeply with our own moral values.” Roan added that artists deserve representation that “aligns with their values and supports their safety and dignity,” and that meaningful change in the industry depends on accountability and trustworthy leadership. 

The controversy is based on Casey Wasserman’s appearance in a number of related to Jeffrey Epstein and his close associate Ghislaine Maxwell. The released files include emails exchanged between Wasserman and Maxwell in the early 2000s, before her conviction in the Epstein sex-trafficking case. Though Wasserman has strongly denied any personal or business relationship with Epstein and has apologized for the correspondence.

For Roan, the decision to leave appears rooted first in her concern for her team. “I hold my teams to the highest standards and have a duty to protect them,” she wrote, expressing gratitude for the agents and staff who have worked with her while making clear her unwillingness to “passively stand by” amid the controversy.

Others in the music community have also voiced discontent, with people like Bethany Cosentino of Best Coast and indie act Wednesday calling for changes in leadership or opting out of the agency entirely. Some agents within Wasserman have reportedly even sought to buy out the music division or urged Wasserman to step down as CEO.