Chappell Roan speaks out on leaving Wasserman talent agency following Epstein files revelations
The US Department of Justice released the latest batch of Epstein files late last month
Chappell Roan has addressed why she left the Wasserman talent agency, led by Casey Wasserman, following the latest Epstein files release.
The 27-year-old Grammy Award winner didn't mention Epstein, the Epstein files, in her social media statement announcing her departure.
However, she did state that 'no artist [...] should ever be expected to defend or overlook actions that conflict so deeply with our own moral values'.
Taking to her Instagram Stories earlier today (10 February), the 'Pink Pony Club' singer shared a statement which began: "As of today, I am no longer represented by Wasserman, the talent agency led by Casey Wasserman.
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"I hold my teams to the highest standards and have a duty to protect them as well."
Roan continued: "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," she declared.
"Artists deserve representation that aligns with their values and supports their safety and dignity."
The star concluded: "This decision reflects my belief that meaningful change in our industry requires accountability and leadership that earns trust."
Wasserman, who is also the chairman of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, appears in the Epstein files in email exchanges involving Ghislaine Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for recruiting and trafficking teenage girls to be sexually abused by Epstein.
The unsealed emails, which date back to 2003, which is three years before Epstein was arrested on charges of child sex offences, appear to show Wasserman talking about a 'massage' and Maxwell making an emotional confession to him.
"Where are you, I miss you," he wrote. "I will be in nyc for 4 days starting april 22...can we book that massage now?”
A separate email sees Maxwell asking Wasserman about renting a house in California before making the confession.
"I can't sleep - where are you when I need you?" she wrote.
The CEO has not been charged with any wrongdoing and has said he 'deeply regrets' his correspondence with Maxwell.
He's also denied any personal or business relationship with Epstein, a convicted sex offender who died by suicide in his cell while awaiting sex-trafficking charges.
Wasserman, whose talent agency manages a number of artists including Ed Sheeran, Coldplay and Pharrell, shared a statement on the files' release, claiming: "I deeply regret my correspondence with Ghislaine Maxwell."
He also noted that the heinous allegations had not come to light at the time, adding that he was 'terribly sorry' for having 'any association' with Maxwell or Epstein.
Tyla has reached out to the Wasserman talent agency for comment.
Topics: Celebrity, Music, Jeffrey Epstein, US News
Rhiannon Ingle