Notes From the Rep Biz ~ 8/7/2026

Musicians and actors to WME! A bunch of Love Islanders now have representation! A major MCU star has a new agency while rising music stars get major reps! Plus our project of the month is going to Broadway! All this and more in today’s Notes From the Rep Biz!  

At WME:

Country music artist Colton Dawson is now agented by WME. This past May Dawson signed to Warner Bros records and the 19 year-old has released three songs to date: “Might Be In It,” “It’s Gonna Rain,” and “Piece of Heaven.” He’s opened for Clay Walker and is probably headed to super stardom.

Musician and actress Rhiannon Giddens is also now repped by WME. Giddens is known for her folk music and has won a Grammy with the band Carolina Chocolate Drops and in 2023 won a Pulitzer Prize for the opera Omar, which she co-wrote with Michael Abels. On the acting front she appeared in 11 episodes of CMT’s Nashville series and also performed songs for the soundtrack. She’s also an author having written several books about music, and her seventh studio album Hope is the Thing With Feathers is set to be released on September 18th. 

Yellowstone actor Ryan Bingham is another new sign for the agency. Bingham is a singer/songwriter whose indie album Wishbone Saloon  was released in 2002. In 2010 he wrote and performed two songs for the Crazy Heart soundtrack, and won an Oscar, Grammy, Golden Globe, and Critics Choice award for the song “The Weary Kind.” On Yellowstone he plays the singer and ex-con Walker which has garnered him new fans and praise from critics. He just recently finished his “Still Gettin Away With It” Tour and has some stadium guest spots lined up as well.  

At CAA:

CAA has signed singer/songwriter Josh Ross. Ross rose to fame through a strong of indie releases that finally brought him his breakthrough with 2024’s Complicated with the hit song “Trouble.” And since then managed four number one hits on Canadian Country radio. He has also toured with Jelly Roll and Luke Bryan.

TJ Palma is also now repped by the death star. Palma was an Islander on season seven of Love Island USA, who quickly became a fan favorite when he came in on day 14 and then left on day 24. Because of his Love Island popularity, Palma was able to gain a massive social media following with over 800,000 followers on both TikTok and YouTube. Palma is also in a romantic relationship with former castmate Iris Kendall. Palma runs a short term rental business in Florida. 

Comedian Chris Distefano is also now agented by CAA. Distefano came to prominence with the MTV series’ Guy Code and Girl Code from 2011 - 2016, and then in 2023 sold out both Radio City Music Hall and Madison Square Garden on consecutive nights. He also hosts the podcasts History Hyenas and Chrissy Chaos.

At UTA:

Actor Winston Duke is now repped by UTA. Duke is best known for playing M’Baku in the MCU with specific appearances in Black Panther, Infinity War, Endgame, and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. He also starred in Jordan Peele’s Us opposite Lupita Nyong’o. More MCU is in the cards for the actor as he will next be seen in Avengers: Doomsday and Black Panther 3. He’s also had appearances in The Fall Guy, Spenser Confidential, and Nine Days.

Grammy winning Icelandic singer and songwriter Laufey is also a new sign for UTA. Laufey’s debut EP Typical of Me was released in 2021, and her debut album Everything I know About Love was released the following year. With Bewitched, her second album, released in 2023, Laufey won Best Traditional Vocal Album at that year’s Grammy’s. Her most recent album A Matter of Time was released last year and also won the Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album Grammy. Laufey’s style mixes genres from Jazz to classical music and is a noted cellist and is currently in the middle of a major global tour.

OTHER NOTES AROUND TOWN

Kenzie Annis, another Love Islander has new representation. She has been signed by Gersh. Annis was on season eight of Love Island USA and became a fan favorite for her earnestness and joie de vivre. She has amassed over 2.5 million followers on social media and will appear in the Love Island USA Season 8 reunion special at the end of the month. 

Author Elle Kennedy is now managed by Circle Management + Production. Kennedy wrote Off Campus which was the basis for the hit Amazon series of the same name starring Ella Bright and Belmont Cameli. 

And yet another Love Island USA alum from season 8 has new reps! Zach Georgiou is now agented by Innovative Artists. Georgiou is the younger brother of season 7 contestant Charlie Georgiou. Georgiou’s bromance with fellow contestant Bryce Alakai and his relationship with Kayda Bosse endeared him to fans. He will next be seen on the Love Island USA Season 8 reunion special on August 31st. 

Gersh agent Jamie Eisman is moving over into management at TFC Management. It is unknown at this time who will be following Eisman into her new digs but her list Kim Raver and Ruby Marino.

MUSIC NOTES

Just before her self-titled debut album dropped last month, country singer/songwriter Lakelin Lemmings signed with Kinkead Agency. Lemmings’ sound is an earnest mix of modern country and storytelling, she is additionally known for energetic live performances, setting Lemmings as a country star on the rise.

Japanese boy band Be:FIRST is now repped by THE·TEAM. Be:FIRST was formed in 2021 through the reality competition series The First. And the band’s star has only risen from there. With a world tour last year and second world tour set to kick off next month.

Singer/songwriter Kate Stephenson is now agented by Ground Control Touring. Stephenson’s third album This is What You Get was released this past February to favorable reviews and the hit single “If This is What You Get.” On the live shows front she is currently performing a European tour. 

SPORTS NOTES

Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Otito Ogbonnia has signed with Aura Sports Group.

LA Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua is now repped by Win Sports Group.

Detroit Lions Defensive tackle Tyler Lacy has signed with Athletes First.

CASTING NOTES

The Mummy sequel has added some familiar faces and a couple new ones! According to Deadline, Obsession’s Michael Johnston is in talks to join the hotly anticipated sequel starring Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz. Numan Acar is also set to join the film, while both Kevin J. O’Connor and Oded Fehr are set to join the cast, reprising their roles from the earlier entries. It is not known who Johnston or Acar will be playing (or if Arnold Vosloo will return).

Regina Hall is set to join Dwayne Johnson for Lizard Music, the next film from Benny Safdie. Based on the fantasy novel of the same name by Daniel Pinkwater. The story follows a young boy played by Theo Leber who journeys to a fantastical world to find a group of lizard musicians. The adventure follows the boy teaming up with an eccentric old man played by Johnson and his 111 year-old chicken. Alicia Silverstone and Tim Heidecker are also set to star.

“Where are the X-Men?” Has been the drumbeat of MCU fans for a while now, and this summer they’re starting to get their answers. Following revelations in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Samara Weaving has landed the role of Emma Frost in the upcoming MCU reboot of Marvel’s Merry Mutants. But that’s not all, Kit Connor is in talks for team leader Cyclops. Weaving most recently appeared in this summer’s Ready or Not 2 and Over Your Dead Body. Connor is best known for his starring role in the Netflix hit drama Heartstopper and spin off film Heartstopper Forever. He also has had roles in Warfare and the upcoming Elden Ring film both directed by Alex Garland. 

PROJECT OF THE MONTH

It’s always exciting when a new TV comedy emerges with a fresh premise and CBS has just greenlit the pilot for a really fun one. Hilda! (In Lights!) tells the story of a plucky small town woman who moves to New York City to pursue her dreams of Broadway stardom. The thing is, she has no experience and is seventy years old. 

The project comes from writer/producer Abbey Caldwell who is best known for work on Fresh Off the Boat, Krapopolis, and most recently the Peacock sex comedy Laid starring Stephanie Hsu and Zosia Mamet. At this time there are no reports of cast or director for the pilot, however, considering the lead is a woman in her seventies you can expect a seasoned actress to land the role. 

It’s a rare thing to see a pilot with a woman over forty as the lead and that is one of the reasons that makes this project particularly exciting.

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Sources: Deadline, Hollywood Reporter, The Wrap, Variety, Celebrity Access, Music Row, Billboard, Pollstar

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