Universal Studios has spoken, debunking all rumors that there was a pay disparity between Wicked lead actors Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.
The studio issued a statement that dispelled recent chatter across the internet that Grande received a salary of $15 million, while Erivo only earned $1 million. The online misinformation also stated that Erivo’s $1 million was the same as Michelle Yeoh’s $1 million and Jeff Goldblum’s $2 million.
“Reports of pay disparity between Cynthia and Ariana are completely false and based on internet fodder,” a spokesperson for Universal wrote in an official statement, according to The Hollywood Reporter. “The women received equal pay for their work on Wicked.”
Thanks to social media users across platforms like Reddit, X and so forth, the pay disparity rumors ran wild, with even a few news outlets picking up the stories, which Universal Studios said are completely false.
Both are considered co-leads of the film, although Erivo is being campaigned in lead acting categories this awards season and and Grande is being campaigned in supporting.
What is Wicked about?
Based on Gregory Maguire’s best-selling novel, Wicked explores the stories of the witches of Oz. Grande portrays the Good Witch, Glinda, and Erivo stars as Elphaba, who ultimately becomes known as the Wicked Witch of the West.
The film, which is only part one of a two-part installment, dominated at the box office on the first Monday following its Nov. 22 release, earning a record-breaking $15 million for a musical. Wicked has officially beat out Frozen 2’s $12.7 million earned the Monday after its release in 2019. Globally, Wicked earned $164 million during its opening weekend.
How has Grande and Erivo’s relationship grown as a result of the film?
As a result of playing best friends in Wicked, Grande and Erivo recently explained how the relationship has spilled over into their real lives.
“I think both of us also knew that we wanted more than just this working relationship; we wanted to build friendship, outside of it, which is what we have now,” Erivo told Willie Geist on Sunday Sitdown.
When they were both cast in Wicked, the pair said they made “a clear choice” to really take the time to become friends.
“They have a very special [bond],” their co-star Jonathan Bailey, who plays love interest Fiyero to both Elphaba and Glinda, said, per Yahoo News. “They’re incredibly talented, but there’s something that I would say about this film is that the performances that they give are so incredible that just their sheer talent alone doesn’t get to the heights, the dizzying heights that they achieve in the film.”
When are we getting Wicked (Part Two)?
Much like the Broadway show’s first act, the first installment of Wicked the movie ends with a riveting performance of the fan-favorite classic “Defying Gravity,” performed by Erivo and Grande.
Fans will have to wait a year for the release of the second installment, which is set to debut on Nov. 21, 2025.
The post Cynthia Erivo And Ariana Grande Received Equal Pay For ‘Wicked,’ Universal Confirms After Misinformation Spreads On Social Media appeared first on Blavity.
