Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande reportedly earned an identical salary for their roles in the cinematic adaptation of "Wicked." A Universal spokesperson clarified to The Hollywood Reporter on Tuesday, "Claims of a pay disparity between Cynthia and Ariana are utterly unfounded and fueled by internet speculation. Both actresses were remunerated equally for their contributions to 'Wicked.'" Multiple insiders privy to the situation echoed this statement to THR, confirming that the leading ladies were paid the same for their performances in director Jon M. Chu's musical film.
This week, unverified rumors about Erivo and Grande's salaries took the internet by storm on platforms like TikTok and Reddit, with social media users alleging that Grande received $15 million for her role, while Erivo was reportedly paid a mere $1 million. These comments were picked up by various news outlets, further escalating the controversy.
"Wicked," based on the beloved novel by Gregory Maguire, delves into the origins of the witches of Oz, with Erivo portraying Elphaba and Grande as Glinda. The screenplay, penned by stage production book writer Winnie Holzman alongside Dana Fox, was adapted for the screen by Academy Award-winning composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz. The star-studded cast also includes Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Jonathan Bailey, and Bowen Yang.
Throughout their whirlwind press tour, the "Wicked" co-stars have openly expressed their admiration for each other both on and off the screen, hinting at a desire to reunite on the Broadway stage, ideally as a duo.
Meanwhile, the second installment of "Wicked" is slated for release on November 21, 2025. "Wicked (Part One)" concluded with "Defying Gravity," the iconic song that brought the first act of the Broadway show to a close and seamlessly set the stage for the two-part film's "To Be Continued" narrative. Speaking to THR, Chu explained the necessity of splitting the movie, stating, "We found a stunning equilibrium in it."
"Wicked" continues to reign at the box office, shattering records with a monumental $15.8 million earnings on Monday for a musical film, surpassing "Frozen 2's" 2019 haul of $12.7 million. Prior to this, the film amassed over $160 million globally during its opening weekend.
