What’s Next For Wasserman Music? Pressure Mounts For Leadership Change Following Ties To Epstein

In the wake of Chappell Roan’s public statement yesterday (Feb. 10) announcing that she is leaving Wasserman Music for new representation—made in response to founder and CEO Casey Wasserman’s appearance in the latest trove of DOJ-released Epstein files, which brought to light his relationship with Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s now-jailed associate—the top-four music agency is facing something of a tailspin. Several agents and artist teams have shared with Pollstar their hesitation in remaining with the agency; some senior agents are reportedly asking for a change of ownership; and increasingly more artists are demanding change. There are several possible scenarios that could play out in the coming days and weeks as the agency figures out its next moves.

One option would be to keep both the name and ownership, though this would risk an exodus of agents and artists and the agency’s diminishing value. Wasserman Music’s strong roster currently includes Coldplay, Lorde, Ed Sheeran, Imagine Dragons, Kenny Chesney, Kendrick Lamar, Skrillex and others (see below). Other scenarios include Wasserman Music selling, possibly to a competitor agency which could include the remaining big agencies CAA, WME, UTA or IAG; forming a new agency potentially run by a new head or a cadre of top agents within the agency, which include Marty Diamond, Lee Anderson, Kevin Shivers, Brent Smith, Tom Windish, and Jackie Nalpant; as well as other agents possibly starting their own agencies.

None of these scenarios are unprecedented. In 2019, UTA and Paradigm, the precursor to Wasserman Music, were on the brink of a merger before Paradigm was eventually sold to Wasserman, a sports agency, in 2021 and became Wasserman Music. When the pandemic hit in 2020 and Paradigm had layoffs, some agents used the opportunity to hang their own shingles and start independent agencies. This included TBA Agency, Arrival Artists (now Roam after a recent merger with ATC) and Mint.

Since the pandemic, change in the music agency business would seem the one constant. Marc Geiger, formerly the head of WME, left in 2020 during the pandemic and amidst the firm’s delayed IPO, which resulted in a complete leadership change with Lucy Dickins, Scott Clayton and Kirk Sommer assuming leadership positions. That same year, WME’s Samantha Kirby Yoh became co-head of UTA with David Zedek. The following year, Scott Clayton joined them. In 2021, ICM, another large music agency, was acquired by CAA. And APA and IAG merged in 2023. In 2024, CAA also announced a change of leadership with Emma Banks, Darryl Eaton and Rick Roskin named Co-Heads of Global Touring.

It’s important to note that many artist teams’ first allegiance is to their agent and not their parent company. Agents, over the last few days, invariably were in communication with their clients to ensure they have their loyalty and support in the face of this adversity. Best Coast’s Bethany Cosentino, who expressed her disgust with the Wasserman-Epstein connection, explicitly said her loyalties lie with her agent. “I am in the Sam Hunt business,” acknowledging her long-time agent who she’s had since before Paradigm was acquired by Wasserman.

Water From your Eyes, too, expressed a similar sentiment writing on social media that, “We trust our booking agents and we are waiting to understand what our options are.”

Ultimately, it’s in Wasserman’s best interest to act expediently or they risk losing both agents and artist to other competitors and the value of the Wasserman Music asset depreciates. With private equity, teams understand it’s a sensitive situation, and solutions cannot necessarily be created in a day. Since 2022, Providence Equity Partners served as a strategic investor, replacing previous backers RedBird and Madrone Capital.

Speaking off-the-record with senior Wasserman agents before this story broke, several agents expressed their respect and admiration for Casey Wasserman and how he has run their agency, which has seemingly thrived under his leadership.

Wasserman Music’s impressive roster includes A-list clients including Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, Imagine Dragons, Kasey Musgraves, Lorde, Pharrell, Tyler, The Creator, Kendrick Lamar, Skrillex, Fred again.., ODESZA, Phish and more. The agency has dominated festival lineups in recent years, holding the majority of artists performing at major music festivals with 38% of the Governors Ball agency share, 35% of Electric Forest’s lineup, 34% of Bonnaroo’s lineup, and 33% of Coachella’s lineup (with the big three: WME, UTA and CAA, all holding 12% each). according to Booking Agency Info.

The agency has currently removed its artist roster from its page, instead directing to a contact form. Individual artist pages remain on the site.

Read More: Chappell Roan Leaves Wasserman Music Amid Casey Wasserman Epstein Ties

Prior to the Wasserman acquisition in 2021, Paradigm’s music holdings came via the acquisitions of Monterrey Peninsula Artists in 2004, Little Big Man in 2006, AM Only in 2012 and The Windish Agency in 2017. The company also acquired a 50% stake in CODA Agency in January 2014.

In 2019, with the UTA-Paradigm merger falling through, then-Chairman Sam Gores writing a memo to staff, “What is more compelling for us is how unique the culture at Paradigm is and how powerful and independent our path can be.” With this independent ethos baked into its DNA, these latest revelations are anathema to the agency’s culture.

Sources say the consensus from the music department’s agents and employees is that, if there is an avenue possible, they would like to remain together.

Chappell Roan’s statement has been the most prominent thus far, the singer writing to her Instagram stories yesterday, “As of today, I am no longer represented by Wasserman, the talent agency led by Casey Wasserman. 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 believe that meaningful change in our industry requires accountability and leadership that earns trust.”

Others are making public statements on social media, with numerous artists sharing they are leaving the agency for representation. Chelsea Cutler joined Chappell Roan in leaving, writing on her Instagram page, “While I am grateful for my day-to-day team at the agency, I cannot in good conscience be a complicit participant and remain silent witnessing these unethical actions. It is our responsibility as artists to take any possible opportunity to exercise our personal agency and stand for what we believe in. For that reason, as of today, I will no longer by represented by the Wasserman Agency.”

Orville Peck also made a statement today sharing his decision to leave the agency. “My heartfelt thanks goes out to my personal team, some of whom I have respected, trusted and worked with for close to a decade. I leave with a huge amount of compassion for the rest of the agents and staff at the agency, who are being left with a situation that impacts all of our work and livelihoods.”

Other concerned artists signed to Wasserman putting out statements either leaving or considering leaving the agency include: Sylvan Esso, Wednesday, Beach Bunny, Sleigh Bells, Dropkick Murphys,