Journalist behind Wicked ‘holding space’ interview explains viral moment

Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A 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”. During a filmed junket interview ahead of the film’s premiere, EqualPride journalist Tracy E. Gilchrist told Erivo that people had been ascribing new meaning to the musical’s lead song “Defying Gravity”. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free “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,’” anoter person tweeted. 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.” Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo being interviewed for ‘Wicked’ Gilchrist added that the interview took place just days after the US election, so emotions were high.