APA Agent Tyler Grasham Fired Amid Sexual Abuse Claims

APA has terminated agent Tyler Grasham from the agency following numerous accusations of sexual assault and harassment from men who have spoken out on social media this week.

A spokesperson for APA confirmed the firing Friday afternoon. “Tyler Grasham’s employment with APA has been terminated effective immediately,” said the rep who declined further comment.

Grasham, a prominent agent at APA who specialized in youth talent, had been on leave from the agency since Wednesday while the company investigated allegations which first surfaced Sunday night, when filmmaker Blaise Godbe Lipman, in a post on Facebook, claimed an agent from APA had assaulted him. 

Blaise, who is 28, declined to name Grasham on Sunday night, but offered these details from their first encounter 10 years ago: “We had a ‘business’ lunch to discuss potential [representation]. He ordered me a drink. I said I was 17. He said don’t be rude, this is business, this is how things are done. I didn’t know better. He got me drunk, etc etc etc. SUCH A TIRED CLICHE. … He’s still at APA representing tons of young talent, using a position of power to coerce young boys. Like [Harvey] Weinstein, everyone knows.”

After sharing the post, Lipman tells The Hollywood Reporter that he received a “poke” on Facebook from Grasham and that prompted him to post additional details and single out Grasham by name. He claimed the agent “fed me alcohol while I was underage and sexually assaulted me.” The alleged incident took place in the summer of 2007, not long after Lipman moved to Los Angeles from Northern California to pursue an acting career. (He was 17 when he moved and would turn 18 in late June.) The two met through mutual friends, he added. 

Lipman’s claims started to gather steam on social media and were soon picked up by mainstream media, first being reported by The Wrap on Thursday. Not long after that initial report, additional men began to come forward, including Lucas Ozarowski. He shared details with THR of an alleged encounter he had with Grasham in January 2016. “Tyler was trying to get me highly intoxicated. Buying me drink after drink. Eventually I had to start leaving them in the bathroom to avoid suspicion,” he claims in a message sent to THR. Later than night, Lipman alleges, “Tyler reaches over and shoves his hand aggressively down my front pants and grabs my genitalia. I forcibly rip his hand out get up, tell him ‘That was highly inappropriate’ and leave his home.”

Then, on Friday, Orphan Black actor Jordan Gavaris posted claims of misconduct he experienced with Grasham. His tweets can be seen below.

Following Lipman’s initial post, APA confirmed to THR that it had been investigating the allegations, but some of Grasham’s clients didn’t wait for the investigation to be complete. Grasham started to lose clients Friday morning including Stranger Things star Finn Wolfhard and Descendants star Cameron Boyce. 

It is understood that the agency has enlisted an independent investigator to research the claims. In light of the accusations, Grasham has set his Instagram to private and deleted his Facebook account.

As for Wolfhard, he has yet to sign with a new agency as of press time, but considering his recent successes, it is likely that he’s being circled by the town’s top firms. Boyce continues to be repped by APA, Osbrink Talent Agency and LINK.

When I was 21, Tyler Grasham repeatedly harassed me about my sexuality, and forcibly implied he could “protect me” if I joined his roster…

— Jordan Gavaris (@JordanGavaris) October 20, 2017

But that if I didn’t, my career may be derailed.

— Jordan Gavaris (@JordanGavaris) October 20, 2017

He later harassed me over the phone when I declined a dinner invitation to the home of a notorious producer…

— Jordan Gavaris (@JordanGavaris) October 20, 2017

Repeatedly accused of sexual assault of minors. Grasham would also be present at the dinner.

— Jordan Gavaris (@JordanGavaris) October 20, 2017

He told me I was overreacting. I told him he was dangerous. My opinion has not changed. In conclusion: #metoo https://t.co/WDQPNViKfS

— Jordan Gavaris (@JordanGavaris) October 20, 2017