Universal’s response to Wicked pay gap revealed.
Rumors of a shocking pay disparity between Wicked stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo have taken the internet by storm.
Magic of the Wicked movie revealed.
Wicked, the beloved prequel to The Wizard of Oz, tells the origin stories of Glinda the Good Witch and Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West.
The musical debuted on Broadway in 2003, quickly becoming a cultural sensation and one of the longest-running productions in history.
Its narrative reframes the witches as misunderstood figures, exploring friendship, betrayal, and systemic bias in the magical land of Oz.
The film adaptation, directed by Jon M. Chu, features Grande as Glinda and Erivo as Elphaba in leading roles.
Grande’s Glinda sparkles with charm and charisma, while Erivo’s Elphaba brings depth and grit to the character’s journey.
Both stars carry the movie’s emotional and visual weight, making their performances central to the adaptation’s success.
Wicked opened in theaters on November 22, 2024, and shattered expectations, earning $164 million globally in its first weekend.
Both Grande and Erivo received rave reviews for their performances, with critics praising their chemistry and vocal prowess.
Director Jon M. Chu called their collaboration “a magical pairing that redefines the story for a new generation.”
Fans were thrilled by their casting, which was announced in 2021, but recent pay rumors have caused a stir.
Shocking Wicked pay gap exposed.
Viral TikTok videos claimed Grande earned $15 million for her role, compared to just $1 million for Erivo.
The alleged $14 million pay gap sparked outrage, with fans calling it an example of racial and gender inequality in Hollywood.
“Elphaba is the main character! How could her pay be so much lower than Glinda’s?” one user tweeted.
Another TikTok commenter added, “This isn’t just unfair, it’s insulting to Cynthia Erivo’s talent and stature.”
The backlash reflects long-standing frustrations about disparities in pay for Black actors in Hollywood.
Erivo is no stranger to the spotlight, having won a Tony Award for The Color Purple and an Oscar nomination for Harriet.
Grande, while primarily known as a pop star, also brings acting experience from her Nickelodeon days and Scream Queens.
As the conversation escalated, Universal Studios stepped in to address the controversy.
Debate about wage gaps in entertainment highlighted.
The clarification comes amid heightened scrutiny of wage gaps in the entertainment industry.
Critics have noted that Hollywood has a history of undervaluing women of color, particularly in high-profile productions.
This historical context likely fueled the believability of the Wicked rumors, even as Universal denies them.
One TikTok user admitted, “The rumor went viral because it felt so plausible, given how often we hear about unfair pay.”
Another pointed to examples like Octavia Spencer’s public negotiation for equal pay in The Help.
While the pay gap in Wicked may not be real, the broader conversation about equity in Hollywood remains crucial.
Universal’s swift response seems aimed at quelling the backlash before it overshadows the film’s success.
Universal’s response to pay-gap controversy exposed.
In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, a spokesperson called the claims “completely false.”
“Reports of pay disparity between Cynthia and Ariana are completely false and based on internet fodder,” the statement read.
Sources close to the production confirmed that both actresses were paid equally for their roles.
As the film continues its box office run, Universal hopes audiences will focus on its achievements rather than rumors.
Still, the viral debate underscores Hollywood’s ongoing struggles with pay equity and representation.
For now, Wicked stands as both a commercial triumph and a reminder of the conversations still needed in the industry.