This week, posts on TikTok and Reddit claimed Ariana Grande earned $15 million for her role in ‘Wicked’ while Cynthia Erivo received only $1 million, sparking debates online.
“Reports of pay disparity between Cynthia and Ariana are completely false and based on internet fodder. The women received equal pay for their work on ‘Wicked,’” said a Universal spokesperson in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter on Tuesday. Sources close to the film’s production confirmed equal payment as well.
The film, based on Gregory Maguire’s prequel novel about the witches of Oz and its Broadway adaptation, stars Erivo as Elphaba and Grande as Glinda. The cast also features Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Jonathan Bailey, and Bowen Yang.
Since its release on November 22, ‘Wicked’ has been dominating at the box office. It just recorded the highest Monday earnings ever for a musical, with $15.8 million, topping the $12.7 million record of 2019’s ‘Frozen 2.’ Over its opening weekend, the film grossed more than $160 million worldwide.
First of the two-part story concluded with ‘Defying Gravity’ like the original Broadway show, setting the stage for the next chapter on November 21, 2025.
