The studio has cleared up rumors surrounding pay disparities between Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo for Wicked
The studio has clarified that Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo were paid the same amount for their roles in Wicked, debunking rumors of a pay disparity.
A Universal spokesperson confirmed that reports claiming Grande earned $15 million while Erivo made $1 million were false. The exact salaries were not disclosed.
Both actresses have received critical acclaim for their performances, with Grande’s large fan base and Erivo’s impressive credentials contributing to their success.
Director Jon M. Chu had originally considered casting lesser-known actors for the lead roles but ultimately chose Grande and Erivo.
He initially considered casting lesser-known actors for Wicked but was impressed by the talent of actresses who auditioned. “Anyone could have done this role, except there were two people who were meant to do this role,” he said.
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, who formed a close bond while filming, even got matching tattoos to mark the experience. Grande shared, “I felt held and had a friend every step of the way,” while Erivo added, “I’m glad it was us.”
Wicked broke box office records with the biggest opening for a Broadway-to-film adaptation. The sequel will be released in November 2025, with a cast featuring Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Michelle Yeoh, and more. The film is currently in theaters.
