Studio slams rumors Ariana Grande outearned Cynthia Erivo for ‘Wicked’

Universal Pictures is slamming rumors of a whopping wage disparity betwixt Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo and insists the “Wicked” stars were arsenic compensated for the Broadway hit’s large surface adaptation.

The “completely false” claims, which circulated online implicit the weekend, alleged that the 31-year-old popular prima made $15 cardinal to Oscar nominee Erivo’s $1 million for portraying Glinda and Elphaba, respectively, Variety reports.

“Reports of wage disparity betwixt Cynthia and Ariana are wholly mendacious and based connected net fodder,” a spokesperson for the workplace told Variety, explaining the Grammy winners “received adjacent wage for their enactment connected ‘Wicked.'”

This representation released by Universal Pictures shows Cynthia Erivo, left, and Ariana Grande successful a country from the movie “Wicked.” (Universal Pictures via AP)

Universal did not specify to Variety however overmuch the actors made for Jon M. Chu’s long-awaited “Wizard of Oz” prequel, which flew into theaters Friday. The movie besides stars Jonathan Bailey, Oscar victor Michelle Yeoh, arsenic good arsenic Academy Award nominee Jeff Goldblum.

The movie presently boasts a 90% support standing connected reappraisal aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, down 2 points from pre-release reviews past Wednesday. Even so, “Wicked” inactive holds the coveted Certified Fresh critics people and a Verified Hot assemblage people of 96%.

The opening play proved arsenic “popular” arsenic could be. “Wicked” racked up $112.5 cardinal stateside and grossed astir $163 cardinal worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo.

The third-biggest opening of the year, conscionable down “Deadpool & Wolverine” and “Inside Out 2,” “Wicked” present holds the rubric of biggest home opening weekend for a Broadway adaptation, beating retired “Into the Woods.”

The opening play net for “Wicked” besides present enactment it up of “Les Miserables” arsenic the biggest opening play globally for a Broadway adaptation. The movie is besides the fifth-largest philharmonic debut successful history.

Universal did not instantly respond to the Daily News’ petition for comment.