Ariana Grande Reveals She Worked with Cynthia Erivo on Equal Terms for ‘Wicked’ Contracts

Ariana Grande says she “aligned” with her Wicked costar Cynthia Erivo during the contract negotiation process ahead of the musical’s imminent film adaptation. In an interview published this week, Grande explained how she and Erivo had a conversation on seeking parity in their respective contracts.

“Let’s go beat per beat through this together and make sure that we’re aligned in what we need,” Grande shared, recounting the discussion. “Because if you need something, we need it together. I want us to have each other’s back—like, your problems become my problems and [vice versa].”

ariana grande says she and cynthia erivo went over their contracts together to ensure they both had what they needed: “let’s go beat per beat through this together and make sure that we’re aligned in what we need because if you need something, we need it together.” pic.twitter.com/pDdbrdUb9k

— Ariana Grande Today ☼ (@ArianaToday) December 14, 2024

The partnership between the two actors, who play Glinda and Elphaba, respectively, underscores the important roles of unity and collaboration within an industry that quite often presents disparities in the treatment and compensation of performers.

Grande’s proactive approach is part of a recent movement in Hollywood, where performers fight to create on-screen and off-screen equality.

Erivo has not spoken publicly about the collaboration yet, but the behind-the-scenes work echoes the rich friendship and trust between their Wicked characters, Glinda and Elphaba. The two-part film, by director Jon M. Chu, is set to delve into that bond between the iconic roles against the dynamic landscape of the land of Oz.

The first installment of Wicked is scheduled for release in November 2024, with the second following in 2025.