Universal Studios has officially addressed circulating claims regarding an alleged significant pay gap between ‘Wicked’ co-stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, where Grande was rumored to have received a staggering $15 million while Erivo was reportedly paid only $1 million.
The much-anticipated fantasy musical adaptation, based on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel, which itself draws inspiration from L. Frank Baum’s 1900 timeless classic ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,’ takes viewers deeper into the origin story of Elphaba, who eventually becomes the infamous Wicked Witch of the West. The narrative also delves into the evolving friendship between Elphaba and Glinda, the Good Witch, bringing a new layer of complexity to the beloved characters.
Headlining the star-studded cast are Cynthia Erivo, portraying Elphaba, and Ariana Grande, playing Glinda. They are joined by renowned actors Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, Jonathan Bailey, and Ethan Slater, making this musical adaptation one of the most highly awaited films of the year, with expectations for a major box office hit.
However, despite the excitement surrounding the movie, controversy erupted when rumors surfaced on social media suggesting a massive discrepancy in the salaries of the two lead actresses. Online sources, including a widely shared TikTok video, alleged that Ariana Grande was paid an eye-watering $15 million for her role, whereas Cynthia Erivo, who plays Elphaba, was compensated with a comparatively modest $1 million.
The viral TikTok post in question argued, “NO because the pay gap between Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo is INSANE. Ariana Grande paid 15 million, whilst Cynthia Erivo paid a measly one million for Wicked, when in my opinion – both had identical roles.” Many fans passionately echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that Elphaba is a central figure in the ‘Wicked’ storyline, given that the narrative revolves primarily around her journey to becoming the Wicked Witch of the West.
These claims sparked widespread outrage among musical enthusiasts and social justice advocates, with many calling out the alleged imbalance, particularly since both characters hold substantial weight in the plot. The uproar continued to gain traction, with heated debates questioning the fairness of such a stark contrast in earnings, if true.