Fri Jan 03 04:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Wicked Stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo Reveal They Negotiated Equal Pay
**Los Angeles, CA** – Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, the stars of the blockbuster film adaptation of *Wicked*, have revealed they proactively ensured equal pay for their roles as Glinda and Elphaba, respectively. In a joint interview with Variety, the actresses detailed their collaborative approach to contract negotiations.
“We went through our contracts together,” Grande shared, “and made sure we were both comfortable with the numbers.” Erivo echoed this, emphasizing the rarity of such transparency between co-stars. Director Jon M. Chu lauded their actions, calling them the “co-CEOs of ‘Wicked Inc.'” and praising the approach as a model for Hollywood.
Rumors of a pay disparity between the two actresses surfaced online following the film’s November 2024 release. However, these rumors were quickly debunked by Universal Pictures, who confirmed that Grande and Erivo received equal compensation. A source close to Grande also attributed the false reports to online speculation.
The two-part film adaptation of the popular Broadway musical has been a critical and commercial success. *Wicked* is currently playing in theaters and available digitally, with the sequel, *Wicked: For Good*, slated for release on November 21st. Grande and Erivo’s close friendship and emotional responses during the press tour have also captivated audiences.
First Piper 