AceShowbiz - "Wicked" stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo were paid the same amount for their leading roles in the highly anticipated movie musical, as confirmed by Universal Pictures. Attempts to dispel rumors about salary discrepancies were made necessary after unsubstantiated claims began circulating online. Reports suggested that Grande earned a whopping $15 million to play Glinda the Good, while Erivo received only $1 million for her portrayal of Elphaba, the not-so-Wicked Witch of the West.

In a rare statement to various media outlets, Universal Pictures firmly denied these claims. "Reports of pay disparity between Cynthia and Ariana are completely false and based on internet fodder," a spokesperson said. "The women received equal pay for their work on 'Wicked'." Though Universal did not disclose the exact amounts paid to Grande and Erivo, the assertion was clear: both stars were compensated equally for their contributions.

The film, directed by Jon M. Chu, hit theaters to much acclaim, pulling in a staggering $164 million globally on its opening weekend. This makes it the third-largest opening weekend of the year, behind only "Deadpool & Wolverine" and "Inside Out 2". The movie is an adaptation of the first act of the Broadway hit, chronicling the unexpected friendship between Elphaba and Glinda before, during, and after the events of "The Wizard of Oz."

As the film makes box office history, earning $15.8 million on the first Monday alone, a record for November, Universal's assertion about equal pay shines a light on the broader discussions of equity in Hollywood. This milestone comes amid "Wicked" additional outstanding achievements, becoming the highest-grossing opening ever for a film based on a Broadway musical.

The movie's opening success is set against the competitive backdrop of the Thanksgiving holiday season, with Universal's "Wicked", Paramount's "Gladiator II" and Disney's upcoming "Moana 2" all contributing to potentially record-breaking box office sales. With schools out and families flocking to theaters, Universal's strategy to release the film ahead of the Thanksgiving rush appears to be paying off.

Alongside Erivo and Grande, the cast features other acclaimed actors, including Academy Award winner Michelle Yeoh, Olivier winner Jonathan Bailey and Emmy nominee Bowen Yang, among others. "Part Two" of the film is anticipated to hit screens in 2025, continuing the reimagined tale of Oz's most infamous and beloved characters.

Universal Pictures has not only delivered a visually stunning and financially successful musical but also underscored its commitment to fair and equal pay for its talent, regardless of the social media rumor mill.