Reggie Watts Faces Fallout as Festivals Drop Him After Allegations
Reggie Watts is facing severe professional backlash and accusations of toxic and abusive behavior, following a Rolling Stone report detailing his alleged actions towards his late ex-girlfriend, Katherine McCollough. The Comedy Bang! Bang! podcast has removed his theme song, and multiple festivals have dropped him from their lineups. These developments stem from accusations linking Watts' alleged drug encouragement to McCollough's eventual suicide, alongside claims of abuse from other former partners.
Comedian and musician Reggie Watts is facing professional fallout after a Rolling Stone investigation raised allegations about his conduct in past relationships, including claims involving his late former girlfriend, Katherine Early McCollough.
Watts has since been removed from several festival lineups, while his longtime Comedy Bang! Bang! theme song was also absent from the podcast's latest episode.
McCollough, 36, died by suicide in March 2026, months after her relationship with Watts ended. According to the Rolling Stone investigation, people close to McCollough alleged that Watts encouraged heavy drug use during their relationship and that substance use became closely tied to their intimacy.
The report also included allegations from five women who previously dated Watts. Some accused him of encouraging drug use, crossing personal boundaries and engaging in emotionally or psychologically harmful behaviour.
Watts' attorney, Andrew Brettler, strongly rejected the allegations. He called suggestions that Watts was responsible for McCollough's death "dangerously false" and disputed claims that Watts encouraged her drug use. The lawyer also said McCollough was already an experienced drug user and did not need such encouragement from Watts.
Festival appearances disappear
The controversy has already affected Watts' upcoming performances.
His name was removed from the lineups for Greenbelt Festival and Shambala Music Festival, while a series of Bristol performances with electronic group CAPYAC was also cancelled. His scheduled appearance at Ireland's Electric Picnic has likewise disappeared from the festival lineup.
The changes came shortly after the Rolling Stone report, although the affected events have not all publicly linked their decisions to the allegations.
Watts remains scheduled for some performances, including an appearance at the Monterey Jazz Festival in September and a show at the Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo in October, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
His Comedy Bang! Bang! connection also takes a hit
The fallout has reached Comedy Bang! Bang!, where Watts' improvised theme had been used for more than a decade.
The theme was missing from the podcast's latest episode on Monday, replaced by a different introduction. The programme has not publicly explained the change, but its removal came days after the Rolling Stone investigation.
Watts has a long history with the show. He served as its bandleader on the television adaptation and created the podcast's distinctive opening theme before later becoming bandleader for The Late Late Show with James Corden.
For now, the allegations remain disputed. Watts has denied accusations of abusive behaviour, while the women interviewed by Rolling Stone have described experiences they say were harmful. The immediate consequences, however, are already visible as festivals and entertainment projects reconsider their association with him.