Universal Spokesperson Shuts Down Claims Of A $14M Pay Gap Between ‘Wicked’ Co-Stars Cynthia Erivo And Ariana Grande

Rumors surrounding Cynthia Erivo’s and Ariana Grande’s compensation have been addressed. The two actresses star in “Wicked,” directed by Jon M. Chu.

The film impressed with a stellar opening weekend, earning $162.5 million globally, according to Deadline. Based on the Broadway adaptation, it was produced on a budget ranging from $145 million to $150 million, per Screen Rant.

Grande plays Glinda the Good Witch while Erivo plays Elphaba, The Wicked Witch of the West.

Speaking on their roles, Grande commented to Blavity’s Shadow and Act, “I think it’s such an incredible honor and privilege to be trusted with the responsibility of playing Glinda, a role that I’ve loved since I was 10. And it does in a way, feel like a reintroduction. I feel like for both of us [Cynthia and I], this baby of ours has been a secret for such a long time. And I know it’s coming fast, and it’s loud, and it’s everywhere, but it’s been such an intimate part of our lives for the past three and a half years between getting ready for the audition to now.”

Erivo expressed to Shadow and Act:

“It [is] really, really special for it to be this music [and] this musical…to be able to use my voice in ways that I haven’t been able to before. I feel really privileged to be able to sing this music, and I’m glad I get to share with people.”

While fans of both actresses and the musical are already raving about the film’s first installment, chatter surrounding their compensation has risen. According to Variety, multiple reports suggest that Grande was paid $15 million for her role, while Erivo received only $1 million.

Such a staggering discrepancy would highlight the existing disparities in compensation between Black and white actors in Hollywood. Research shows that Black actresses earn an average of 64 cents for every dollar earned by white, non-Hispanic actors, according to the National Partnership. Veteran actresses, such as Taraji P. Henson — whose films have grossed over $3 billion at the box office — have been vocal about pay inequities. Henson even considered quitting acting due to these disparities, as AFROTECH™ previously reported.

“I’m just tired of working so hard, being gracious at what I do, getting paid a fraction of the costs,” Henson said in an interview with Gayle King on Sirius XM. “I’m tired of hearing my sisters say the same thing over and over. You get tired. I hear people go, ‘You work a lot.’ I have to. The math ain’t mathing.”

Regarding the reports circulating Grande and Erivo’s pay, X user Treasurxdawn wrote, “Mixed feels. I get this being a dream role that people were dying for, so a paycut for a passion project is normal. But also…she’s Cynthia f-cking Erivo, a broadway legend, in a movie that people been waiting 15+ years for. To take anything less than 10M just feels silly.”

While Hollywood has a long way to go to create a more equitable playing field for Black actresses, a Universal spokesperson has weighed in on the rumors to confirm both actresses were, in fact, paid equal compensation.

“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,” the Universal spokesperson told The Hollywood Reporter.