Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande Were Paid the Same for ‘Wicked,’ Universal Debunks Pay Disparity Rumors

Amid rumors that Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo were paid different salaries for their work co-starring in Wicked, the reports have been debunked by the film’s production company, Universal Pictures.

“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,” a spokesperson for Universal told The Hollywood Reporter in a statement on Tuesday (Nov. 26).

Viral posts about Erivo and Grande’s salary began surfacing on TikTok and Reddit this month, as social media users claimed that Grande made $15 million for her role as Glinda while Erivo earned $1 million as Elphaba.

Directed by Jon M. Chu, Wicked has grossed $164.2 million globally during its opening weekend starting on Nov. 22. The live-action adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical earned the third-biggest opening of the year, behind Deadpool & Wolverine and Inside Out 2, the Associated Press reports. The second half of the musical will be released with part two in 2025.

Wicked takes place in the Land of Oz, before Dorothy Gale’s arrival from Kansas. The story follows the green-skinned, misunderstood Elphaba, who becomes friends with the popular Glinda at Shiz University. The duo’s friendship comes reaches a turning point following an encounter with the Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The rest of the principal Wicked cast features Academy Award winner Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, Olivier winner Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, Tony nominee Ethan Slater as Boq, Emmy nominee Bowen Yang as Pfannee and Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard of Oz.