The journalist who went viral for a bizarre interview with 'Wicked' stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande has spoken out about the meaning behind the term 'holding space'. Tracy E. Gilchrist, from EqualPride, told Erivo during a junket interview that people had been ascribing new meaning to the song 'Defying Gravity'.
'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 said. Erivo seemed overcome with emotion, responding: 'I didn't know that was happening.' Grande then reached for Erivo's hand to console her.
The clip has been viewed more than 60 million times on X/Twitter, with many people expressing confusion over the phrase 'holding space'. One user wrote: 'I've watched this like 30 times, and I still can't parse a single thing going on here.' Another said: 'It brings me solace to know no one else understands it either.'
Speaking to Variety after the clip went viral, Gilchrist defined 'holding space' as being 'physically, emotionally and mentally present with someone or something'. She added that the interview took place just days after the US election, so emotions were high. 'When Cynthia sings 'I'm through accepting limits' there's power in that. She plays a character who is othered. There's a lot of resonance there right now for anyone who is marginalised,' Gilchrist explained.
Gilchrist noted that the idea of 'holding space' for 'Defying Gravity' was actually based on a conversation she had with a friend. 'Most of it actually came from a conversation with a friend,' she admitted. 'I was using that to tee up the question, and I was a little thrown off by [Cynthia's] response because it was so sincere and real.'
