Amidst recent speculation, Universal Pictures has officially denied rumors suggesting that Cynthia Erivo received less pay than Ariana Grande for their roles in ‘Wicked.’
Rumors regarding the salaries of Erivo and Grande emerged this week on TikTok and Reddit, with social media users asserting that Grande earned $15 million for the film while Erivo received $1 million. Numerous news publications reported on the discussions happening on social media, further intensifying the controversy.
The Wicked movie, released in theaters on November 22, features Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande portraying the cherished characters of Elphaba and Glinda, roles that were first brought to life by Tony-winning actresses Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth in the stage production.
However, Erivo mentions that the film differs somewhat from the original production. To fully convey the story, the movie will be released in two parts, with the second part scheduled to premiere in 2025.
“I think we’re going to enjoy the magic of it. We’re going to try and put our own spin on what we know and show you a story about two women [who] are sisters,” Cynthia Erivo shared Entertainment Tonight before filming in 2022.
In a statement shared by Universal with The Hollywood Reporter on Tuesday, November 26, a spokesperson clarified, “Reports of pay disparity between Cynthia and Ariana are completely false and based on internet fodder.”
The spokesperson didn’t specify the amount the actors received; however, they confirmed, “The women received equal pay for their work on Wicked.”
US Weekly also reported information from a close source to Ariana Granda, “It’s a rumor that started on Reddit … and completely not true. The women received parity on their pay.”
Similar to the original Elphaba, Cynthia Erivo began her career on Broadway and earned a Tony award in 2016 for her portrayal of Celie in The Color Purple. The British actress is also recognized for her performances in films such as Widows, Bad Times at the El Royale, and Harriet, for which she received two Oscar nominations.
