A wave of high-profile departures is reshaping the roster at the Wasserman Group, as singer-songwriter Laufey is reportedly the latest artist to cut ties with the talent agency amid mounting controversy surrounding its founder, Casey Wasserman.
The reported split follows the release of Justice Department documents that included decades-old email exchanges between Wasserman and Ghislaine Maxwell, a convicted associate of Jeffrey Epstein. The revelations sparked widespread backlash across the entertainment industry, prompting a number of artists to reevaluate their representation.
It remains unclear whether Laufey’s exit was a direct response to the controversy or if it had been planned prior to Wasserman’s recent announcement that he is selling the agency. Representatives for the singer have not publicly commented.
In recent weeks, several prominent musicians have publicly confirmed their departures from the agency. Among them are pop breakout Chappell Roan, indie mainstay Weyes Blood, country artist Orville Peck, and singer-songwriter Chelsea Cutler. Indie acts including Bethany Cosentino of Best Coast, Wednesday, Water From Your Eyes, and Beach Bunny have also severed ties.
Many of the artists who left emphasized that their decisions were rooted in personal values, while simultaneously voicing appreciation for their agents and the broader agency staff. Their statements reflect a careful balance between condemning leadership decisions and supporting the individuals who worked directly with them.
Wasserman addressed the controversy in a public statement, expressing regret over his past correspondence with Maxwell and distancing himself from Epstein. He acknowledged that his history had become a distraction and confirmed that he has initiated the sale of the company he founded more than two decades ago.
Despite stepping back from the agency’s future, Wasserman continues to serve as chairman and president of the LA28 Olympic committee. Calls for his resignation from that role have intensified, and he has already withdrawn from at least one scheduled public engagement.
For the artists now departing the Wasserman Group, the next chapter remains unwritten. Some may follow their agents if those representatives land elsewhere, while others could seek entirely new partnerships. What is clear is that the controversy has prompted a rare and public reshuffling in the world of music representation, with values and accountability at the center of the conversation.