The rumored salaries of the Wicked movie cast have gone viral, igniting a fierce debate on social media about the alleged pay gap between leading star Cynthia Erivo and pop sensation Ariana Grande.
According to the unverified list circulating online, Erivo, 37, who plays Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, reportedly earned $1 million for her role, while Grande, 31, who stars as Glinda the Good Witch, is said to have been paid $15 million—over ten times Erivo’s alleged salary.
The purported figures for other cast members include Michelle Yeoh and Jeff Goldblum at $2 million each, Jonathan Bailey at $450,000, Ethan Slater at $350,000, and Bowen Yang and Marissa Bode at $250,000 each.
Social Media Erupts Over Alleged Pay Gap
The alleged $14 million disparity between Grande and Erivo has drawn widespread criticism.
One viral post on X (formerly Twitter), with over 11 million views and 120,000 likes, expressed disbelief:
“Ariana getting paid over $10M more than Cynthia doesn’t sit right with me.”
Another user labeled the gap “diabolical,” while some called it “unfair.”
Others defended the rumored figures, arguing that Grande’s global fame and massive fanbase justify the disparity.
“Actor salaries aren’t based on talent but on the audience they attract,” one user wrote.
Rumored Reports Add Nuance
One X user attempted to clarify the controversy, claiming Grande allegedly split her salary with Erivo to ensure the latter earned more than her initial $2 million offer.
Additionally, it was suggested that Wicked director Jon M. Chu may provide bonus payouts to actors if the film performs well.
Historic Opening Weekend
Despite the controversy, Wicked is off to a record-breaking start. The film grossed $114 million in its U.S. opening weekend, making it the highest-grossing debut for a musical adaptation in history.
The movie, which reportedly cost $300 million to produce, is being released in two parts, with each installment averaging $150 million in production costs.
While the debate over salaries continues to dominate online discussions, Wicked has made a massive box office success.
