Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande Earn Equal Pay for Wicked, Universal Confirms

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande earned equal pay for their roles in Wicked, Universal has confirmed. Responding to online rumors of a pay disparity, a spokesperson told The Hollywood Reporter that claims of Grande receiving $15 million while Erivo earned $1 million were "completely false and based on internet fodder." Multiple sources also verified that both actresses were paid the same for the highly anticipated musical.

The rumors, which began circulating on TikTok and Reddit, sparked widespread discussion before being picked up by several news outlets, further fueling the speculation. However, the studio and insiders quickly debunked the claims.

Wicked, directed by Jon M. Chu, is based on Gregory Maguire's novel and the acclaimed Broadway musical. Erivo stars as Elphaba, while Grande plays Glinda, with a star-studded cast that includes Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Jonathan Bailey, and Bowen Yang. The screenplay was crafted by Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox, with music adapted by Stephen Schwartz.

The film, split into two parts, concludes its first installment with the iconic number "Defying Gravity." Director Chu explained the decision to divide the story, emphasizing the need for proper pacing and balance. The second installment is scheduled for release on November 21, 2025.

Wicked has already made a splash at the box office, earning a record-breaking $15.8 million on Monday for a musical, surpassing Frozen 2’s $12.7 million milestone. Its global opening weekend haul exceeded $160 million, cementing its status as a major success.

Erivo and Grande have spoken warmly about their offscreen bond, expressing interest in returning to Broadway together in the future, adding another layer of excitement for fans of the Wicked universe.

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