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Universal Studios has addressed allegations that Ariana Grande received $14 million more than Cynthia Erivo, her co-star in Wicked.
Elphaba’s transition into the Wicked Witch of the West and her complicated relationship with Glinda the Good Witch are explored in the eagerly awaited musical fantasy picture, which is based on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel and L. Frank Baum’s 1900 classic “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.”
Prominent figures like Erivo, Grande, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, Jonathan Bailey, and Ethan Slater are among the cast members of the movie, laying the groundwork for what seems to be a huge hit.
The film hasn’t been without controversy, either.
A stunning wage disparity between the movie’s leads has now prompted Universal to address the issue.
On social media, there have been rumors that Grande received $15 million for her role as Glinda, while Erivo, who plays Elphaba, only received $1 million.
“NO,” stated one such TikTok video, “because Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo’s pay disparity is INSANE.” Cynthia Erivo received a pitiful one million dollars for Wicked, but Ariana Grande paid fifteen million, even though, in my perspective, their roles were identical.
Since Wicked is a precursor to The Wizard of Oz, examining how Elphaba became the Wicked Witch of the West, fans of the musical have voiced fury over this notion, pointing out that Elphaba’s character is perhaps more vital to the tale.
Such claims have now been addressed and the situation clarified by a Universal official.
“Reports of a pay gap between Cynthia and Ariana are utterly untrue and based on internet fodder,” the representative told The Hollywood Reporter. The women who worked on Wicked were paid equally.
This claim has been backed up by other people with knowledge of the production, who attest that the two stars’ salaries were identical.
Since then, several social media users have considered how swiftly the misleading information proliferated.
“Whoever started that rumor probably did it for clicks, likes, and views,” said one TikToker. The rumor was really credible, which is why it spread so far.
Even though the accusations were baseless, the scandal brings to light larger issues with pay disparity in the entertainment sector.
“So while the directors of Wicked did what needed to be done, there are a lot who would not do the same,” the TikToker said, citing further examples of Black actors receiving lower pay than their white colleagues. Don’t distribute false information, but keep in mind that this is America.
Wicked has had a significant impact at the box office since its November 22 premiere, with an estimated $164.2 million grossed worldwide in its first weekend of release.
