Published by Cel Manero from Global One Media Inc.
She also clarified the true meaning of the phrase “holding space.”
The journalist from Queer Media who conducted the viral interview with Wicked stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande is now addressing the conversation and its aftermath. Tracy E. Gilchrist from Out magazine spoke with Variety after a clip from the interview went viral. In the clip, Gilchrist tells Erivo and Grande that fans are “really holding space” with the song “Defying Gravity,” a statement that led to an emotional reaction from Erivo, who plays Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West. This remark left viewers puzzled about the meaning of “holding space” and how Erivo might have understood it.
With a trembling voice, the actress responded, “I didn’t know that was happening. That’s really powerful. That’s what I wanted.”
Gilchrist expressed her surprise at the attention, saying, “It’s so overwhelming.” She continued, “I was in meetings when my phone started blowing up. Later, I was having lunch with a friend, and he kept asking me to explain what was going on—like, why is it funny? I don’t know! It just is.”
As of Tuesday morning, the clip had nearly 77 million views on X.
When asked by Variety about the phrase “holding space,” which has garnered so much attention, Gilchrist explained that it refers to “being physically, emotionally, and mentally present with someone or something.” She elaborated, saying, “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 the lyrics of a song – one you’ve heard countless times – and it can suddenly take on new meaning when you’re a queer person. The Trump administration is targeting LGBTQ+ people through Project 2025.”
Gilchrist continued, saying, “When Cynthia sings ‘I’m through accepting limits,’ there’s power in that. She portrays a character who is marginalized, one who discovers her full strength after being exiled by a deceptive and cruel leader. That’s incredibly resonant right now for anyone who feels marginalized. For me, holding space means listening to those lyrics again and finding comfort or inspiration.”
She added, “This was for us, for queer people who understand what I meant by holding space — or really, for anyone who feels marginalized and can relate. So it’s for us. It’s not for them. They can hate all they want.”
