Wicked Fans Were Calling Out The $14 Million Discrepancy Between Ariana Grande And Cynthia Erivo’s Alleged Salaries, But Universal’s Response Did Not Hold Back

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As someone who has been following the world of musicals and cinema for the better part of my life, I must say that the recent fuss over the alleged pay disparity between Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in “Wicked” has been quite the spectacle. It’s like watching a high-stakes game of poker where everyone is bluffing, except instead of chips, it’s our beloved actresses’ salaries at stake!

Over time, several film musicals have been awarded Best Picture. Now, the highly anticipated “Wicked” could potentially add its name to that esteemed list, having shattered records during its initial cinema debut. The star-studded cast of “Wicked” is spearheaded by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, but controversy has arisen over allegations of a significant $14 million difference in their salaries. This issue has sparked debate among fans, but Universal Pictures has responded forcefully to these claims.

Instead of describing it as an unconventional musical production, Wicked is a globally successful phenomenon that fans have passionately followed for many years. Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo have been visibly emotional during the film’s promotion, reflecting the strong connection they formed on set. After a post on Threads suggested that “We Can’t Be Friends” singer received $15 million compared to Erivo’s $1 million, Universal released a statement to Page Six, stating:

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.

Here it is. The studio was straightforward about it, disclosing that the two main actresses of “Wicked” were indeed paid equally. Although the exact figure is still not known, this should effectively put an end to that speculation… especially since Grande and Erivo will soon be promoting the upcoming “Wicked” movie.

The chatter on social media about the supposed salary differences between Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, with Erivo’s role as Elphaba being the main lead in the movie, sparked quite a buzz. Although Universal clarified that both artists were compensated equally, some fans speculated that Grande might have received more due to her temporary hiatus from her pop career. Given that her latest album, “Eternal Sunshine,” did not go on tour, many assumed this was because of her commitments to the Wicked production.

The discussion about who takes the top spot among the two principal characters in “Wicked” has persisted since its premiere on Broadway. Initially, Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth were both nominated in the Best Leading Actress category at the Tony Awards, with Menzel ultimately winning that year. For the film adaptation, it’s been mentioned that Erivo is being considered as a Leading Actress, while Grande is aiming for Supporting Role. However, this might change for the sequel.

The conversation we’re having highlights just how powerfully Jon M. Chu’s film adaptation of Wicked has impacted popular culture. This musical production was both critically acclaimed and a commercial hit (check out TopMob’s review of Wicked here), and people are eagerly awaiting the release of Part Two, due next year. Now that the pay rumor has been put to rest, fans can indulge in their enjoyment of the first movie without any guilt.

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2024-11-27 18:08