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The anticipated Wicked musical adaptation has not only dazzled audiences but also sparked heated debates over its cast's rumored salaries. While the film has achieved box office success, earning $114 million in its U.S. opening weekend, the alleged pay disparities among its stars have raised eyebrows.
Ariana Grande, who plays Glinda the Good Witch, reportedly received $15 million for her role, a figure significantly higher than Cynthia Erivo's $1 million for portraying Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West.
This tenfold difference shocked fans, especially given Erivo's celebrated Broadway career and her Tony and Grammy-winning performances. Social media quickly erupted, with posts like, "Ariana getting paid over $10M more than Cynthia doesn't sit right with me," amassing millions of views and sparking debates about fairness in Hollywood.
While some decried the gap as "diabolical" and "unfair," others defended Grande's paycheck, attributing it to her extensive fanbase and star power. As one commentator explained, "Actors' salaries aren't based on talent but on the audience they bring." Indeed, Grande's decade-long music career has made her a global icon, a factor producers likely considered when allocating budgets.
Supporting cast members also saw varied paychecks. Michelle Yeoh and Jeff Goldblum reportedly earned $2 million each for their roles as Madame Morrible and the Wizard, respectively.
Jonathan Bailey, cast as Prince Fiyero, allegedly received $450,000, while Ethan Slater, playing Boq, was paid $350,000. Lesser-known cast members Marissa Bode and Bowen Yang were each rumored to earn $250,000.
Director Jon M. Chu addressed the controversy indirectly, emphasizing that the film's success could lead to additional bonuses for the cast.
Reports suggest that Wicked had a production budget of $300 million, with each of its two parts averaging $150 million. Despite the uproar, the financial commitment appears justified as the film breaks records for musical adaptations.
