Fans of the musical Wicked have been actively voicing their concerns on social media over rumors about a supposed large pay difference between Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo in the upcoming film adaptation.
In this highly-anticipated movie, Grande plays Glinda, while Erivo portrays Elphaba. Those familiar with the stage version know both characters are crucial, though some might argue Elphaba holds the spotlight.
Wicked acts as a narrative prequel to the iconic The Wizard of Oz, diving deep into the story of how Elphaba became known as the Wicked Witch of the West.
Considering the significance of both roles—perhaps even leaning slightly in Elphaba’s favor—one might expect their compensation to be similar. Yet, whispers on TikTok suggested otherwise, claiming that Grande pocketed “$14 million more” than Erivo. Certain online comments stated Erivo was paid $1 million, whereas Grande earned a hefty $15 million.
One TikTok user shared their disbelief, stating: “This is unbelievable—the wage gap between Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo is crazy. Ariana reportedly earned $15 million, while Cynthia got just a million for roles that were pretty much the same. Any of Cynthia’s long-time supporters would be shocked at this, seriously?”
With speculation rife, Universal Pictures quickly addressed these rumors. A representative told The Hollywood Reporter: “Stories of a pay gap between Cynthia and Ariana are entirely false and stem from internet speculation. Both actresses received equal pay for their performances in Wicked.”
Their position was further backed by additional sources who are claimed to be knowledgeable about the situation.
An observer on TikTok commented on the rumor’s rapid spread, noting: “The person who spread that rumor likely did it for clicks, likes, and views. […] Honestly, the reason the rumor gained traction is because it seemed plausible.”
They highlighted previous instances where Black actors were given lower pay than their white peers but added: “While the decision-makers behind Wicked made the right choice, many others wouldn’t. So don’t spread untruths, but remember, this is the reality in America.”
Since debuting in both the US and UK on November 22, Wicked has achieved remarkable box office success, gathering an impressive $164.2 million worldwide just during its opening weekend.
