The supposed Wicked pay gap
***UPDATED POST***
Earlier today, we shared a post about unverified news circulating online about an alleged pay gap between Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. While it sparked important conversations about pay disparity—not just by gender but also by race—we’re pleased to share that several news outlets have now confirmed with the studio that both women were paid equally. This is a relief, and we’re glad to see fairness in this instance. However, the conversation around pay transparency and equity is far from over. Even though Cynthia and Ariana were paid equally, pay disparities remain rampant across industries, especially for women of colour, who face a compounded penalty of both race and gender.
Why is salary transparency so important?
It shines a light on pay inequities and helps close gaps faster.
It holds organisations accountable for fair compensation practices.
It ensures talent—whether on screen or in the workplace—is valued equally.
In this case, the studio released the information due to the online speculation—but how can we make this kind of transparency a common practice instead of relying on public pressure? Transparency shouldn’t be reactive, it should be the norm. What are your thoughts on salary transparency and equity? Let’s keep the conversation going!
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***ORIGINAL POST***
We're all familiar with the story of Wicked and have seen the blossoming friendship between Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, as they've shared how their journey through Wicked has profoundly changed their lives and outlooks for the better. But what's happening behind the scenes?
Amidst the glitz, glam, and green carpet fashion looks they've been serving, reports of a $14 million pay discrepancy between the two stars have cast a shadow over the celebration. While the rumoured gap between Ariana's $15 million paycheck and Cynthia's $1 million hasn't been confirmed, the idea isn't hard to believe—and that's the problem.
Representation on Screen and Behind the Scenes
Wicked is, without question, a milestone in Hollywood storytelling. It tackles big themes that resonate today:
Racial, LGBTQIA+, and disability representation are woven into the narrative.
A bold exploration of the effects of "othering" people for their differences.
The rarity of centring female friendships in a big-budget Hollywood film, with two women as co-leads.
Wicked stands out in an industry where the number of lead female roles in the 100 top-grossing films plunged to 30% in 2023. The film dares to do what few others have—celebrate complex, multi-dimensional women on screen.
But here's where it gets tricky. We can love the film for its inspiring themes and still hold it (and Hollywood as a whole) accountable. Because representation isn't just about what's on the screen—it's about what happens behind the scenes, too.
The Pay Gap: Not Just a Wicked Problem
The reported pay gap between Cynthia Erivo, a multi-award-winning performer with a Tony, Grammy, and Emmy, and Ariana Grande, one of the biggest pop stars of her generation, speaks to a broader, systemic issue. Even in industries that champion creative expression and progressive ideals, inequities like these persist.
Let's not forget:
According to the Fawcett Society, as of November 20, women in the UK effectively work for free for the rest of the year because of the gender pay gap.
And for women of colour, the gap is even more staggering. This was research from the Fawcett's Society partnership with the Runnymede Trust back in 2021 that our founder, Leyya Sattar, took part in, highlighting how Black women and women of colour face a double pay penalty due to racial and gender inequities.
Whether or not the Wicked pay reports are accurate, they spark an essential conversation about salary transparency, pay equity, and how talent is valued in the entertainment industry.
Critical Thinking for Systemic Change
At Other Box, we firmly believe that representation matters in the stories we tell—but it also matters in how those stories are made.
Are pay scales equitable across race and gender?
Are opportunities for leadership and creative decision-making available to people from marginalised communities?
Are DEI practices a priority behind the scenes, or just a buzzword for PR?
We can celebrate Wicked for the trailblazing themes it addresses and still ask these hard questions. It's essential to do both. This is how we move from surface-level progress to actual systemic change.
What Can We Do?
Remember when Jessica Chastain advocated for her co-star Octavia Spencer to ensure they received equal pay? During negotiations, she used her leverage to push the studio to pay them the same salary—a game-changing move that highlighted the importance of allyship.
That's the energy we need across industries—supporting each other and demanding fairness.
Advocate for Salary Transparency: Knowing what others earn is the first step toward equitable pay.
Support Fair Pay Policies: Push for organisational policies that address racial and gender pay gaps.
Use Your Voice: Speak up about inequities in your industry or workplace.
Representation isn't enough if the systems behind it remain inequitable. Equity requires action, accountability, and a willingness to ask tough questions—even about the things we love.
So, let's celebrate Wicked while also holding Hollywood (and ourselves) to a higher standard. That's the real magic.
