With Wickeds current perch atop pop cultures social-media obsessions, along with all the pink sparkly cosplay and meme-able holding space moments, there were inevitably also gonna be some disparaging grumbles. Not about the movie itselfmost people are freaking out with delight over thatbut over more esoteric concerns. The latest involves an alleged pay disparity between stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande so distressing, Universal made the rare move of actually responding directly to the rumors. Variety writes this came after a New York Post story that sourced unsubstantiated claims by TikTok and Reddit users who believed Grande (a Nickelodeon star turned Grammy-winning pop star) had earned several million dollars more than Erivo (a Grammy, Emmy, and Tony winner, as well as a two-time Oscar nominee). Unsurprisingly, the studio felt compelled to speak out. Reports of pay disparity between Cynthia and Ariana are completely false and based on internet fodder, a spokesperson for Universal said in a statement quoted by Variety. The women received equal pay for their work on Wicked.How much those equally balanced paychecks were worth, however, is still a mystery. Wickeds box-office take thus far (it had the biggest-ever opening for a Broadway adaptation, according to the trade) would certainly justify generous salaries for its starsand bodes well for 2025s Wicked Part Two, which will wrap up the story a year from now. Will you be ready for a fresh avalanche of Wicked-adjacent rumors to take over the internet all over again? Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, whats next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.