Universal denies 'Wicked' pay gap reports between Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo
Universal Pictures, the production company behind "Wicked" starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, has shut down rumors of a pay disparity between the two actresses.
"Reports of pay disparity between Cynthia and Ariana are completely false and based on internet fodder," a spokesperson from Universal told ABC News in a statement on Tuesday. "The women received equal pay for their work on 'WICKED.'"
Speculation about unequal salaries began circulating on platforms like TikTok, Reddit, and X (formerly known as Twitter), with claims that Erivo earned $1 million compared to Grande's $15 million.
The rumors gained traction after being picked up by some news outlets. While Universal did not disclose the exact salaries of the co-stars, the studio firmly denied any pay inequities.
"Wicked" is the highly anticipated movie adaptation of the 2003 Broadway musical, originally starring Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, which itself is based on Gregory Maguire's 1995 novel.
Directed by Jon M. Chu, the film features an all-star cast, including Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, Ethan Slater as Boq, Marissa Bode as Nessarose, and Jeff Goldblum as The Wizard.
Released in theaters on Friday, "Wicked" draws inspiration from Maguire's novel, a revisionist prequel to "The Wizard of Oz."
The film earned a staggering $164 million globally during its opening weekend, making it the third-largest opening weekend ever, following "Deadpool & Wolverine" and "Inside Out 2," according to The Associated Press.
Fans can look forward to "Wicked: Part Two," set to hit theaters on November 21, 2025.
