Did J.K. Rowling have ties to Jeffrey Epstein according to unsealed files?

• Newly unsealed documents show that Jeffrey Epstein attempted to attend the 2018 Broadway premiere of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child after receiving tickets via an associate; however, he was denied entry at the door, and the "invitation" only bore Rowling’s name as part of the production’s standard promotional header.
• J.K. Rowling has explicitly denied ever meeting or communicating with Epstein, a claim supported by the Department of Justice files, which show no evidence of personal contact or knowledge of the ticket request on her part.

J.K. Rowling's name has surfaced in the latest batch of unsealed documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender, prompting online speculation about her alleged ties to him.

The files, recently released by the US Department of Justice, include correspondence surrounding an invitation to the Broadway opening of "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" in April 2018.

However, the documents reveal no direct involvement by Rowling, and she has firmly denied any contact with Epstein.

The incident centers on Epstein's attempt to attend the premiere at New York's Lyric Theatre, a decade after his 2008 conviction for procuring a minor for prostitution.

Epstein, who died in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges, expressed interest in the event through his longtime associate, publicist Peggy Siegal.

Two days before the opening, Siegal emailed producer Colin Callender of Playground Entertainment, requesting tickets for a "very important friend," later identified as Epstein.

The invitation, which appeared to bear the names of Rowling alongside producers Sonia Friedman and Callender, was sent to Epstein's assistant.

This standard formatting for promotional materials fueled misconceptions that Rowling personally extended the offer.

In reality, the tickets were provided by the production team without knowledge of the recipient's identity, and Epstein was not on the official 1,600-person guest list.

Upon arriving at the venue, Epstein was denied entry at the door due to the mismatch between his tickets and the guest registry.

He emailed Siegal the following morning, downplaying the rejection with the note, "Couldnt get in. No biggy but thought you should know."

Siegal described the episode as "terribly upsetting" and sought an apology from the producers, though none was received.

Rowling addressed the rumors directly on X (formerly Twitter), responding to a user who accused her of inviting Epstein years after his conviction.

She stated, "This is beyond silly. Neither I, nor anybody on my team, ever met, communicated with or invited Jeffrey Epstein to anything."

This is beyond silly. Neither I, nor anybody on my team, ever met, communicated with or invited Jeffrey Epstein to anything. https://t.co/JXhFlBQxsM

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) February 2, 2026

The DOJ documents corroborate her account, showing no evidence of communication or awareness on her part.

This revelation is part of a broader release of Epstein-related files, which have implicated various high-profile figures in tangential associations but often without substantiating deeper involvement.