Why are people 'holding space' for 'Defying Gravity’, and what does that even mean?

As if "Wicked" hasn’t already taken over the internet enough, a moment from one of the stars’ press interviews has turned into the latest internet sensation. 

It happened earlier this month, before the film’s release, when Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande were speaking with journalist Tracy E. Gilchrist, and the moment snowballed in popularity as the internet tried to figure out exactly what happened. 

Here’s what to know about the exchange: 

Holding space for ‘Defying Gravity’ interview

FILE - (L-R) Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande attend the Los Angeles premiere of Universal Pictures "Wicked" at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on November 09, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Phillip Faraone/WireImage)

"This week, people are taking the lyrics from "Defying Gravity" and really holding space with that, and feeling power in that," Gilchrist says during her interview, to which Erivo places her hand on her chest and says she didn’t know that was happening. 

"That’s really powerful, that’s what I wanted," Erivo responds.

"Defying Gravity" is the signature song from the musical, and is about Elphaba, played by Erivo, coming to terms with and finding power in her outsider status. 

Gilchrist, who works with EqualPride, continues to say that she’s seen it on a couple posts but that she wasn’t sure how widespread it was. "I am in queer media," she added. 

Meanwhile, Grande looks comfortingly to Erivo and reaches over to grab her hand, but ends up grabbing and holding onto Erivo’s index finger that was donned with one of Erivo’s signature lengthy nails. 

The whole exchange captivated the internet for some reason. Was it the way Erivo responded? Was it the way Grande delicately grabbed her finger? And what did Gilchrist’s question mean, anyway? 

What did the question mean?

Gilchrist has spoken to several media outlets in recent days since the clip continues to make conversation. 

In interviews with The New York Times and Variety, Gilchrist clarified, firstly, that she said what she said in order to tee up her real question, which was – "What does it mean to you to play this character who is so resonant with queer people, especially when we need it?" 

The interview happened on Nov. 7, two days after the election. Gilchrist thought her question was timely given the election and target of LGBTQ+ rights via Project 2025, she told Variety. 

"There’s a lot of resonance there right now (in the song’s lyrics) for anyone who is marginalized," Gilchrist said. 

As for who she saw that’s been "holding space" for the song, Gilchrist said most of that actually came from a conversation with a friend. Additionally, Tony Morrison, the senior communications director with GLAAD, posted the lyrics of "Defying Gravity" in the days following the election and before Gilchrist’s interview. 

"It was a great explainer," she said of his post.

What does holding space mean?

As Gilchrist explained it, holding space means being physically, emotionally and mentally present with someone or something.

A 2023 article from Psychology Today explains it in a similar way.

"Holding space refers to the act of being fully present with someone else, without judgment or distraction, so that the person can share their experiences and perspective," the article reads. It says the term was first popularized in a 2015 blog post. 

RELATED: Glicked: ‘Wicked’, ‘Gladiator II’ make theater debuts

The internet responds

The internet has offered various interpretations of the exchange, and also offerings of what they’re currently "holding space for." 

Morrison changed his Instagram bio to "CEO of Holding Space," and Gilchrist’s bio now says "I am in queer media."

Some have compared Grande’s finger grasp to the one seen in Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam. 

"The whole thing is ultimately high camp, right, because camp is sincere. I was sincere in my question. Cynthia was sincere in her response. And I think when Ariana grabbed her finger, she was just trying to sincerely let her know that she was there with her," Gilchrist said.

"Wicked" is in theaters now, and opened with $114 million domestically and $164.2 million globally for Universal Pictures, according to studio estimates on Sunday.