Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande received equal pay for their work on “Wicked,” with Universal calling the rumors of pay disparity between them “completely false.”
“Reports of pay disparity between Cynthia and Ariana are completely false and based on Internet fodder,” a Universal spokesperson told TheWrap on Tuesday. “The women received equal pay for their work on ‘Wicked.’”
Over the weekend, users on TikTok and Reddit spread false claims that Grande received $15 million while Erivo was paid $1 million for their roles in the film. Multiple outlets like the New York Post soon followed.
“Wicked” covers the first act of the 2003 Broadway play, with a second part coming in November 2025.