November 26th 2024.
Fans of the blockbuster hit film Wicked, starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, have been buzzing with speculation about a potential pay gap between the two leading ladies. Despite the film's massive success, fans are convinced that there is an unfair discrepancy in pay between the two stars.
Cynthia, 37, takes on the role of Elphaba Thropp, the Wicked Witch of the West, while Ariana, 31, plays Glinda Upland. While they are both the main leads in the film, rumors have been circulating that Ariana may be receiving a significantly higher salary than Cynthia, who is a well-respected Broadway icon.
According to Showbiz Galore, Ariana was allegedly paid a whopping $15 million, while Cynthia was paid only $1 million. This news came as a shock to fans, as Cynthia boasts an impressive resume with a Tony, Emmy, Grammy, and Academy Award nomination for her performance in the Harriet Tubman biopic, Harriet.
The same publication also reported that supporting cast members Michelle Yeoh and Jeff Goldblum were paid $2 million each, while Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, and Bowen Yang were paid significantly less at $450,000, $350,000, and $250,000 respectively. This has led fans to estimate a potential difference of over $10 million in pay between Ariana and Cynthia.
Naturally, fans took to the internet to express their outrage and disappointment over the alleged pay gap. Many were quick to point out the racial and LGBTQ+ inequality that this could represent, as Cynthia is a Black queer actress and Ariana is a white actress.
Some fans even went as far as to call for Cynthia to be paid more, as they felt she carried the film alongside Ariana. However, others were skeptical of the rumors and believed that neither actress would accept such a significant pay gap. Some suggested that Cynthia may have negotiated a percentage deal rather than a flat fee, entitling her to a portion of the film's box office earnings in addition to her base rate.
Despite the uproar from fans, it is important to note that these rumors have not been confirmed and may not be accurate. Metro has reached out to representatives for Wicked and Universal Pictures for comment.
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