The buzz surrounding the highly anticipated musical fantasy film Wicked has been impossible to ignore.
The adaptation of Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel and L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz promises to captivate audiences with its spellbinding story, charting the origins of the Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba, and her complex relationship with Glinda the Good Witch.
Starring an ensemble cast featuring Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, Jonathan Bailey, and Ethan Slater, the movie has already made waves at the box office.
Wicked raked in a staggering $164.2 million globally in its opening weekend, with $114 million from domestic theaters alone, marking the third-biggest opening of the year and the highest debut for a musical adaptation in history.
Director Jon M. Chu has consistently praised the chemistry between Erivo and Grande, who were cast as Elphaba and Glinda in 2021 after an extensive audition process.
In an interview, Chu explained, “They read with different people, but at the end of the day it very much was obvious that she [Erivo] was Elphaba and she [Grande] was Glinda.”
However, the film’s success has been shadowed by a storm of controversy. Social media platforms erupted with rumors alleging a stark pay disparity between the lead actresses.
According to viral posts, Grande reportedly earned $15 million for her role as Glinda, while Erivo received just $1 million for portraying Elphaba, a character many consider central to the story.
A TikTok video summarizing the alleged salary gap sparked widespread outrage, with fans expressing their disbelief over the supposed $14 million difference.
“Ariana getting paid $15 million and Cynthia getting paid $1 million is diabolical,” commented one user on X.
Another argued, “The disparity between Ariana’s salary and Cynthia’s is crazy because why is it that much of a difference? And they’re both named leads in the film.”
The allegations also drew attention to broader issues of pay inequality in the entertainment industry, particularly concerning black actors.
While fans voiced concerns, others pointed out Grande’s greater name recognition and potential to draw larger audiences as justification for a higher paycheck.
Adding to the speculation, rumors circulated that supporting cast members Michelle Yeoh and Jeff Goldblum were paid $2 million each for their roles, and Jonathan Bailey, who plays Fiyero, earned $450,000.
These claims further fueled frustration, with some questioning the logic of Erivo earning less than her co-stars despite being a lead.
The speculation reached such a fever pitch that Universal Pictures was compelled to address the situation directly.
A representative for the studio issued a statement to The Hollywood Reporter on Tuesday, clarifying the facts.
“Reports of pay disparity between Cynthia and Ariana are completely false and based on internet fodder,” the spokesperson said. “The women received equal pay for their work on Wicked.”
Sources close to the production corroborated Universal’s statement, asserting there was no pay discrepancy between Erivo and Grande.
Despite this clarification, the rapid spread of the false information has left many reflecting on the power of viral rumors.
As one TikToker noted, “Whoever started that rumor probably did it for clicks, likes, and views. The reason why the rumor spread so much was because it was very believable.”
While Universal has effectively dispelled the claims, the controversy highlights ongoing conversations about equity in Hollywood.
Even though the Wicked team was quick to refute the allegations, many believe the issue speaks to broader systemic disparities within the industry.
As one social media user remarked, “Don’t spread lies, but don’t forget this is America.”
Both Grande and Erivo have yet to comment on the rumors, but their bond during production has been well documented.
Erivo described their relationship as transformative, saying she felt she “gained a sister” in Grande.
The pair supported each other through challenging moments on set, with Grande echoing the sentiment in an interview, sharing, “I’m really proud of us for how genuinely we took care of each other throughout this whole time.”
With Wicked Part Two slated for release in November 2025, the buzz surrounding the franchise shows no signs of slowing.
For now, Universal’s response has quelled the uproar, reaffirming that both stars were compensated equally for their roles in the groundbreaking production.
Featured Image Credit: (Instagram/@arianagrande) (Instagram/@cynthiaerivo)
