After All Those Pay Discrepancy Rumors With Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande Shares The Real Story Behind What Happened With Their Wicked Contracts

by

As a devoted fan who has followed the careers of these talented ladies closely, I must say that their professional and personal bond is nothing short of inspiring. The way they approached their contracts for the Wicked films, ensuring mutual understanding and support, speaks volumes about their character and values. It’s refreshing to see such camaraderie in an industry often marred by competition and rumors.

Over the years, a number of movie musicals won Best Picture at the Oscars, and there’s another contender within the genre with Jon M. Chu’s Wicked. The first movie has been wildly successful at the box office, and it’s clear that it’s two stars got quite close throughout filming and press. While there were rumors Ariana Grande was paid much more than Cynthia Erivo, Universal refuted these reports. And now the “We Can’t Be Friends” singer has shared the real story behind what happened with their contracts.

In the initial installment of “Wicked,” Erivo and Grande beautifully portrayed Elphaba and Glinda, respectively, delivering exceptional performances throughout the film. As for “Wicked Part Two,” details are scarce, but there’s still some news coming out. Recently, during a SAG-AFTRA Foundation discussion (as reported by Deadline), Grande shared some insights about their contract negotiations.

Upon receiving the contract, I reached out to [Erivo], saying, “Hey, let’s walk through this step by step, beat by beat, to ensure we’re both clear on our needs.” If either of us requires something, it should be a joint effort. I want us to stand united; your challenges will be my concerns, and vice versa.

It appears that instead of encountering significant inconsistencies in their contracts, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo carefully reviewed each detail to ensure mutual comfort and support. Therefore, if there was indeed a substantial $14 million difference in their paychecks, it would have been discussed during their discussions.

Grande and Erivo might be known for constantly crying during Wicked events, and that type of emotionality is likely due to how much respect they have for each other. Considering the latter actress is playing the lead character Elphaba, being paid millions less than her pop star co-star would have definitely been noticeable. And now both the studio and Grande herself have shut down this rumor. Later in her same talk, she spoke about her relationship with her Tony-winning co-star, offering:

In our personal lives, we share a heartfelt bond of honesty and friendship. Nearly every day, we engage in meaningful discussions. Whether it’s sharing thoughts or seeking advice, we constantly communicate with each other. If I have something important to share or need her perspective, I reach out. Similarly, if she needs my opinion on something, she does the same. Essentially, our goal is always to stay in sync.

In the captivating world of “Wicked,” Glinda and Elphaba share an extraordinary friendship on stage, and it appears that this bond has mirrored off-stage for these two exceptional vocalists in reality. After wrapping up the lengthy filming process of not one, but two musical movies, followed by a year dedicated to promoting the initial film, they continue to maintain daily communication.

It isn’t certain how much Erivo and Grande earned for their roles in Wicked, but their joint contract negotiations seemed to suggest that any apparent pay gap was merely a fictional device. With the second film set to release next November, it won’t be long before these renowned figures hit the road together once more.

Read More

2024-12-16 18:07