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In response to mounting speculation and public outrage—especially accusations of racial discrimination—the studio issued a statement affirming that both women received equal pay for their work on Wicked. Ariana Grande herself publicly confirmed at a SAG-AFTRA event that she and Cynthia Erivo agreed to a pact of demanding exactly the same salary—down to the penny—to promote solidarity and fairness.
This revelation paints a picture of two colleagues forming a pact to align their compensation, ostensibly fostering camaraderie and support. Grande emphasized how they meticulously discussed their contracts to ensure nothing was hidden and that they had each other's backs, highlighting a rare level of transparency and mutual support.