Rumours of a pay disparity between Wicked stars sent the internet into a tailspin yesterday after it was reported that Ariana Grande was paid more than Cynthia Erivo. Today, Universal Pictures has released a statement to smack down these rumours, claiming that the two leads were paid identical sums for their work on the first instalment of the highly anticipated musical film.
“Reports of pay disparity between Cynthia and Ariana are completely false and based on internet fodder,” a spokesperson told Rolling Stone on Wednesday local time.
“The women received equal pay for their work on Wicked.”
The spokesperson did not reveal the salaries the actors were actually paid.
The rumour appeared to kick off where the most juicy morsels of gossip do, TikTok and Reddit. Users claimed that Ariana was being paid upwards of $10 million more than Cynthia was and it quickly sparked outrage, especially since Cythia’s character Elphaba is the lead.
The unsubstantiated whispers claimed that Ariana was being paid $15 million USD ($23.14 million AUD) while Cynthia was rumoured to be receiving only $1 million USD ($1.5 million AUD) for her work.
Online gossip mongers also alleged that Michelle Yeow and Jeff Goldblum were earning $2 million ($3 million AUD) ad Jonathan Bailey would receive $450,000 USD ($694K AUD). Again, this was not based on fact, just what was being said online.
I’m stoked that the two leading ladies were paid the same. They absolutely killed it in Wicked and I am already buzzing for Wicked: Part Two.
It’s not out for another year but you can read everything we know about it HERE.
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