The truth behind Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande’s rumored Wicked salaries

As a long-time theater enthusiast and someone who has followed both Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande’s careers with great interest, I must say that the reported salary discrepancy between the two actresses for Wicked has left me quite puzzled.


It’s been reported that both Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande received large sums for their roles in Wicked, with one actress rumored to have made significantly more than the other. However, here’s an interesting fact:

Based on its initial run in movie theaters, it appears that Wicked’s box office earnings are set to reach astronomical figures. It achieved the largest debut for a musical adaptation ever in the United States, and with audiences flocking to cinemas during the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, it’s unlikely that ticket sales will decrease anytime soon.

Although it might not seem like much of a risk given its roots in one of the most triumphant stage plays ever (it’s based on one of the most successful stage productions of all time), Universal Pictures still made a significant financial commitment, with reports suggesting they invested $350 million into the initial film and Wicked: Part 2.

This encompasses the pay dates for its joint leads, Erivo (as Elphaba) and Grande (as Glinda), who, it is said, received quite dissimilar salaries… based on certain questionable sources.

How much were Ariana Grande & Cynthia Erivo paid for Wicked?

It’s been said that Ariana Grande received $15 million and Cynthia Erivo got $1 million for their roles, but neither Universal Pictures, the actors, nor a trustworthy source has verified these figures as true.

The assertion was made in a TikTok video that Brandon Benitez uploaded, which has garnered more than 820,000 views.

In the video, he claims that Marissa Bode, Ethan Slater, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, and Michelle Yeoh were respectively compensated with $250,000, $350,000, $450,000, and a staggering $2 million each.

Next, there’s an astonishing detail that has sparked fan outrage: it is rumored that Erivo, who seems to have the larger role, earned approximately $1 million, while Grande reportedly pocketed a whopping $15 million.

Ariana getting paid over $10M more than Cynthia doesn’t sit right with me…

— King Kyle 🤴🏽🎀 (@kyleskiki) November 25, 2024

It appears that there’s uncertainty regarding how much each individual earned, as demonstrated by an article on StyleCaster (which was also shared on Yahoo Entertainment) discussing Erivo’s net worth. This article cites Showbiz Galore’s breakdown of the Wicked cast’s salary from February this year, but it doesn’t provide any credible sources to support these salary figures.

It’s clear that there’s a divide among viewers on social media about the alleged salary difference between these two actresses; some argue Erivo deserves equal pay as Grande, while others think Grande’s larger fanbase and guaranteed box office draw justify higher compensation.

Currently, there’s a lot of buzz without much substance regarding the cast’s salaries. We’ll keep you informed as soon as we receive any confirmations on this matter.

While you’re waiting, take a closer look at some key points about Wicked, such as its main issue and suggestions for when to use the restroom during the movie, along with information on streaming platforms where you can watch it.

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2024-11-26 21:41