The Brief:

• Universal Pictures dispelled rumors of pay disparity between Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo for “Wicked,” affirming both received equal compensation.
• “Wicked,” directed by Jon M. Chu, is a film adaptation of Gregory Maguire’s novel featuring stars like Jeff Goldblum and Michelle Yeoh, and has been a box office success.
• The film broke records with a $15.8 million Monday earning and $160 million globally on its opening weekend, with a sequel set for release on November 21, 2025.

Universal Pictures recently stepped forward to debunk a widely circulated rumor regarding the disparity in pay between Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo for their roles in the blockbuster movie “Wicked.” Social media had been abuzz with claims that Grande took home a whopping $15 million for her role as Glinda, while Erivo was reported to have earned a mere $1 million for her portrayal of Elphaba. However, Universal Pictures clarified that these rumors were unfounded.

In an official statement released to Page Six, a spokesperson from Universal Pictures emphasized, “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.’” This clarification puts to rest the speculation fueled by netizens and underscores the studio’s commitment to equitable compensation among its leading stars.

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“Wicked,” which is an adaptation of Gregory Maguire’s renowned novel, delves into the backstory of Oz’s witches, bringing life to Elphaba and Glinda’s complex relationship. The narrative has been transformed for the silver screen by Winnie Holzman in collaboration with Dana Fox, who penned the screenplay under Jon M. Chu’s direction. Stephen Schwartz, celebrated for his Academy Award-winning compositions, added his touch by reimagining the musical numbers that have enthralled audiences worldwide.

The cast ensemble includes distinguished actors like Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Jonathan Bailey, and Bowen Yang, making it one of the most anticipated films. Amidst their promotional tour, both Grande and Erivo have openly shared their mutual respect and fondness for each other’s talents as well as their aspirations to perform together on Broadway again.

With anticipation building around its sequel set for release on November 21, 2025, “Wicked” has already left an indelible mark at the box office. It notably shattered records by earning $15.8 million on a Monday alone—overtaking “Frozen 2” which held the previous record with $12.7 million in 2019—and amassing more than $160 million globally on its opening weekend.

Director Jon M. Chu expressed that splitting the movie into two parts was pivotal for achieving a harmonious storytelling balance—a decision that paid off judging by its monumental success. As fans eagerly await what comes next in this magical saga, Universal Pictures’ stand against misinformation reinforces the importance of verifying facts amidst rampant online rumors.

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