Reporter from viral ‘holding space’ interview speaks out on what she actually meant
Topics: TikTok, TV And Film, Ariana Grande
Britt Jones
Featured Image Credit: Instagram/@outmagazine
Topics: TikTok, TV And Film, Ariana Grande
The Wicked press tour just keeps delivering when it comes to viral moments, and now a journalist has finally spoken out about that interview with the movie's stars.
Leading actors Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande have been circulating the internet for their various bizarre moments in interviews.
But between some very teary moments and backlash surrounding an AI-generated poster, one particular interview moment left people seriously baffled.
The interview, which took place two weeks ago, included a journalist telling the pair that the movie's 'Defying Gravity' lyrics have led to viewers 'holding space'.
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During the interview, Out reporter Tracy E. Gilchrist said to Cynthia: "I've seen this week people are taking the lyrics of 'Defying Gravity' and really holding space with that and feeling power in that."
To which she looked obviously shocked, with Ariana reaching to take her hand in support.
"I didn't know that that was happening," the ‘bad witch’ replies. "That's really powerful. That's what I wanted. I didn't know that was happening."
The journalist then shared how she had ‘seen it on a couple of posts’ but wasn’t too sure about how ‘widespread’ it went as she is ‘in queer media’.
This is when Cynthia called it ‘really cool’.
Because of this moment’s confusing conversation, many took to social media to make jokes about it.
Under the TikTok clip of the movie stars, someone wrote: "if i'm holding space with the lyrics of defying gravity, and you're in queer media, then who the hell is holding this finger."
Another couldn’t figure out what the weirdest part of the interview was, writing: "I can't tell what my favourite 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'."
Since then, people have been baffled about what ‘holding space’ for the lyrics really meant.
For Gilchrist, it’s simple.
Explaining her side of the story now that she is being recognised on the streets for her interview question, she first shared how she didn’t quite understand why the clip became so popular a week after she had completed the interview.
She told Variety: “I just did what I do, going in and doing an interview."
The journo added: “I’d interviewed Cynthia before, so I went in very sincerely. I’m glad people are finding joy in it and laughing, and that it’s so viral.”
But what about her ‘holding space’ comment|? What was that about?
Well, she was ‘inspired by Tony Morrison’, the senior communications director from GLAAD, after he posted the lyrics of ‘Defying Gravity’ before her interview.
According to her: “It was a great explainer. ‘Holding space’ is being physically, emotionally and mentally present with someone or something.
“For me, it means being in the moment, not being distracted and feeling something on a cellular level. I think you can hold space with lyrics of a song – one you’ve heard hundreds of times – and it can suddenly take on new meaning when you’re a queer person.”
As the timing of the interview came one day after Donald Trump won the election, she added: “The Trump administration is targeting LGBTQ+ people via Project 2025. When Cynthia sings ‘I’m through accepting limits,’ there’s power in that.
“She plays a character who is othered. One who comes to her full power when she is exiled by a charlatan, by a cruel leader. There’s a lot of resonance there right now for anyone who is marginalized.
“For me, holding space is listening to those lyrics anew and finding solace or inspiration.”
So, there you have it.