Kaylah Walton
Universal Pictures has addressed the recent online discussions suggesting that Ariana Grande was compensated significantly more than Cynthia Erivo for their roles in the upcoming film adaptation of the Broadway hit that grossed $5 billion, Wicked.
Clarification on pay disparity rumors
Online speculation claimed that Grande received $15 million for her portrayal of Glinda, while Erivo, who plays Elphaba, supposedly earned only $1 million.
A spokesperson from Universal dismissed these rumors in a statement, calling them unfounded.
“Claims of a pay gap between Cynthia and Ariana are entirely false and rooted in internet chatter,” the spokesperson stated, further indicating that “both actresses received equal compensation for their roles in Wicked.”
However, specific salary details were not revealed by the studio.
These rumors ignited lively discussions online, leading to a highly shared post on X that accumulated over 11 million views and 120,000 likes.
Many fans voiced their anger regarding the alleged pay disparity, especially given Erivo’s pivotal role in the film.
Some criticized the purported unequal pay as “unfair” and “diabolical.”
Conversely, others justified the notion of Grande earning a higher amount, citing her larger following and box office pull.
Reports also included figures for additional cast members, with Michelle Yeoh and Jeff Goldblum said to earn $2 million each, while Jonathan Bailey and Ethan Slater were noted to receive $450,000 and $350,000, respectively.
Wicked’s box office success
Regardless of the controversies, Wicked is making a significant impact at the box office.
With a remarkable opening weekend of $112.5 million in the U.S. and a global debut totaling $162.5 million, the film is breaking records for adaptations of Broadway musicals.
Currently, its worldwide earnings are approximately $180 million, with projections suggesting robust performance throughout Thanksgiving weekend.
Directed by Jon M. Chu, Wicked stands as one of the most expensive productions ever, boasting a total budget of $320 million for the two parts, excluding marketing costs.
The film’s success could potentially lead to additional bonuses for its cast, though Universal has not yet confirmed such details.
Amid ongoing discussions surrounding the pay allegations and the film’s remarkable earnings, Universal aims to direct attention back to the cinematic accomplishments while denying the rumors.
