JK Rowling has dismissed allegations that she invited convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein to a Harry Potter theatrical event, branding the claims “beyond silly.”
The Edinburgh-based author responded on X after social media users suggested she had extended an invitation to the disgraced financier a decade after his conviction for sex offences.
JK Rowling denied extending an invitation to Epstein
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PAThe Department of Justice made public approximately three million pages, 180,000 images, and 2,000 videos connected to Epstein on January 30.
Ms Rowling’s name surfaced within the documents, though not in any direct correspondence with the late financier.
Instead, an unidentified individual whose identity was redacted wrote to Epstein in May 2016 requesting an introduction to the Harry Potter creator.
“Jeffrey, as you always know the top people in every fiels, maybe you could help me: i want to meet JK Rowling. Could you help me?” the message read. (sic)
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
There is no evidence within the files that Epstein and Ms Rowling ever knew one another or had any form of contact.
The documents reveal how Epstein actually sought to attend the Broadway premiere of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in April 2018.
Two days before the opening night, his publicist Peggy Siegal contacted Colin Callender, head of theatre production company Playground Entertainment, requesting access for a “very important friend” who wished to “come see the spectacle.”
Ms Siegal did not disclose her client’s identity in her initial approach to Callender, who agreed to accommodate the unnamed guest.
Epstein died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking cases | REUTERS
Only when liaising with Callender’s staff did Ms Siegal reveal who she was representing, instructing them to “please deal with Jeffrey Epstein’s assistant.”
Callender has since confirmed to Deadline that he was never informed of Epstein’s identity and that the financier did not appear on the original 1,600-person guest list.
Despite tickets reaching Epstein, his attempt to attend the event ended in failure.
The financier was provided with incorrect tickets, and his name did not appear on the door list, preventing his entry.
JK Rowling dismissed the claims
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GETTY“Couldnt get in,” Epstein wrote to Ms Siegal the following morning. “No biggy but thought you should know.”
Ms Siegal reacted furiously, contacting Playground Entertainment to express that the situation was “terribly upsetting” and left her “incredibly embarrassed.”
The publicist demanded a written apology, though Callender confirmed to Deadline that none was ever issued.
The presence of these emails within the released files prompted the mistaken assumption that Ms Rowling or her representatives had personally invited the convicted sex offender.
