After untrue rumors recently floated that Ariana Grande was paid substantially more than her ‘Wicked’ co-star Cynthia Erivo, the singer actress recently revealed she and Erivo reviewed their contracts together to ensure fairness and equality on set.
During a Dec. 13 conversation for the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, Grande revealed that she and Erivo thoroughly reviewed their contracts together before filming began.
“When I got my contract, I called her and I was like hey let’s go through this together and make sure that we’re aligned in what we need because if you need something, we need it together. I want us to have each other’s backs,” she said.
Grande explained that she and Erivo, who were cast in 2021, spent the year leading up to production in December 2022 building trust and forming a pact to support one another.
“We talk a lot about this pact that we made to take care of each other and to be really honest with each other about anything that were to come up. But I don’t think people really get how granular like we got,” she added.
Th actress also praised director Jon M. Chu for fostering a safe and creative environment on the high-budget set. “Jon created a space where it felt like we were kids working on a student project,” Grande said. “It was the safest and most trusting environment, which allowed us to play and do our best work.”
The Universal Pictures’ cinematic adaptation of the 2003 Broadway play “Wicked” is set to enchant audiences with its grandeur, but its financial stakes are as lofty as its ambitions. With an estimated production budget of $145 million to $150 million, as of Dec. 15 “Wicked” has grossed $477.8 million worldwide.
Grande’s comments follow rumors that she was earning $15 million for the film while Erivo was reportedly making only $1 million. Universal swiftly denied the claim, confirming that both stars received equal pay.
“Wicked,” which premiered on Nov. 22, has already made history as the highest-grossing opening for a Broadway adaptation. Part two of the film, featuring Grande as Glinda and Erivo as Elphaba, is slated for release on Nov. 21, 2025.
Grande summed up her experience of working with and befriending Erivo,” “One of the things I’m most proud of is how we nurtured each other. It made all the difference, both on and off set.”
