Universal addresses viral rumor Ariana Grande was paid $15M for ‘Wicked’ while Cynthia Erivo got $1M

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande were paid equal salaries for their respective roles in “Wicked,” Page Six can confirm.

“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,'” a spokesperson for Universal Pictures said in a statement to us Tuesday.

The confirmation comes after rumors spread on social media that the “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)” singer, 31, was paid a whopping $15 million for her role as Glinda, while Erivo, 37, made only $1 million to play Elphaba.

Page Six can confirm that Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande were paid equal salaries for their respective roles in “Wicked.” ©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection A spokesperson for Universal told us in a statement Tuesday that the co-stars were paid the same. ©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection

Fans expressed their disappointment in the alleged pay discrepancy, with one user tweeting, “Ariana getting paid $15m and Cynthia getting paid $1m is diabolical.”

“The disparity between Ariana’s salary ($15 mil) and Cynthia’s is crazy because why is it that much of a difference? And they’re both named leads in the film,” another added.

A third fan called the rumor “sick” while another said it was “insane.”

“Reports of pay disparity between Cynthia and Ariana are completely false and based on internet fodder,” the spokesperson slammed. ©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection The internet has been ablaze for several days with rumors that Grande was paid $15 million while Erivo earned $1 million. ©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection

While many people were upset by the gossip, several argued that Grande has a much bigger name and would draw a larger audience.

Grande nor Erivo have publicly commented on the unsubstantiated rumors.

Page Six has reached out to their reps for comment.

The pair were cast in “Wicked” in 2021 and formed a close friendship and partnership.

Neither actress has commented on the gossip. Getty Images The stars were cast in “Wicked” in 2021. Getty Images

Erivo told Elle this month that she feels she “gained a sister” in Grande and said they were both “blown away by how connected [they] were immediately” when they met.

They were then able to deepen their connection through “hard” and vulnerable conversations throughout the filming process, she explained.

Meanwhile, during a recent chat with the New York Times, Grande gushed that she “had a friend every step of the way” through the experience.

They have since become close friends. AFP via Getty Images Erivo told Elle recently that she “gained a sister” in Grande. Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

“I’m really proud of us for how genuinely we took care of each other throughout this whole time,” she added.

“Wicked” premiered on Friday and led the third-biggest opening weekend of the year with $114 million domestically and $164.2 million globally.

“Wicked: Part 2” is scheduled to premiere in theaters on Nov. 21, 2025, per Forbes.