The press tour for Wicked has been quite a doozy, with stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo constantly breaking the internet with viral moments. Recently, the popular duo alongside a journalist have become the subjects of a new meme following a bizarre interaction they had during a junket. The reporter has since responded to her new-found fame.
With every brilliant press tour comes great meme moments and Wicked has truly gifted us with an abundance of memeable moments.
Here’s why everyone is talking about “holding space”, Erivo, Grande holding fingers and “Defying Gravity”.
What is the Wicked “holding space” meme?
Tracy E. Gilchrist from Out Magazine — an American LGBTQIA+ media outlet — went viral after she shared how Wicked‘s “Defying Gravity” resonates with the queer community during a junket with Erivo and Grande.
“I’ve seen this week people are taking the lyrics of ‘Defying Gravity’ and really holding space with that and feeling power in that,” Gilchrist shared.
Erivo was visibly emotional over the statement and responded by saying, “I didn’t know that was happening… That’s really powerful… That’s what I wanted.”
As Erivo expressed her surprise, Grande rapped her hand over a single finger in an attempt to comfort her co-star.
Gilchrist then responded to Erivo’s surprised reaction saying, “I don’t know how widespread [it is] but you know, I’m in queer media.”
Peep the full interaction below.
The interview went viral, with folks confused about everything from what “holding space” for a 20-year-old song meant to why Ariana clutched a single finger.
I couldn’t help but wonder… if Big could hold space for the lyrics of Defying Gravity, why couldn’t he hold space for me? pic.twitter.com/IsC6PFv7bt
— Chris Murphy (@christress) November 22, 2024
Thanks for your email!
— Joshua Rush (@JoshuaRush) November 22, 2024
I’m currently out of office to take the lyrics of Defying Gravity and really hold space with that. I’ll get back to you as soon as I am able.
Best regards,
Not now sweetie mommy is taking the lyrics of Defying Gravity and really holding space with that and feeling power in that pic.twitter.com/Srxh9xn4yH
— Tom Zohar (@TomZohar) November 22, 2024
How did the journalist respond to the virality of the Wicked junket?
After the junket broke the internet — from both the “holding space” statement to Grande’s finger hold — Out Magazine shared a follow-up piece, explaining her side of the interview.
“When I posed the question to Cynthia about people holding space with the lyrics to ‘Defying Gravity,’ it was two days after the election, and everyone I knew in the LGBTQ+ community was trying to make sense of what we might be facing. I loved her response, and I love that people are having a laugh, because I know I could use one about now,” Gilchrist shared.
“I never considered I’d become a meme.
“But as an unrepentant showqueen, I’m thrilled that it’s for something this campy, in response to a movie I love. Now go see Wicked!”
And truly, the whole interaction was camp.
With that pleasant reaction and clarification, I leave ya’ll with more memes about holding space!
if i send you this after not reply for a few days it means i was holding a space for to your text pic.twitter.com/fvxe1Bk1Bb
— indie 🇵🇸 (@INDIEWASHERE) November 23, 2024
I can't tell what my favorite part of this video is: the solemnity in announcing people have been "holding space" for the lyrics of a 20 year old song, Cynthia acting like she personally wrote it, Ariana holding onto Cynthia's index finger, or the reveal of "a couple of posts" https://t.co/eDDUNcvaRn
— maya 🦇 (@irish_goodbi) November 22, 2024
When I see someone holding space for the Defying Gravity lyrics at my Wicked screening tonight pic.twitter.com/z405ke86Yo
— tarek (@cIitarek) November 22, 2024
hey a bunch of us are outside holding space for cigarettes if you wanna join
— Michael's Italian Restaurant 🤌 (@aurelioacts) November 23, 2024
barbie summer and brat summer walked so that wicked winter could hold space for queer media https://t.co/BAinzuUqbn
— Omar (brand new) (@speedraceralt) November 23, 2024
“You don’t need to take the lyrics of defying gravity and hold space with that because we actually don’t need gravity” pic.twitter.com/qSjhuDwuRJ
— eve (@bubblegumbword) November 22, 2024
— Ariana Grande Today ☼ (@ArianaToday) November 22, 2024
Wicked is out now.
The post Journalist Who Sparked ‘Holding Space’ Wicked Meme Responds To Her New-Found Internet Fame appeared first on PEDESTRIAN.TV .
