‘Holding Space’ for ‘Defying Gravity’: Viral ‘Wicked’ Journalist on Getting Recognized in Public, Selling Merch and What on Earth She Meant

variety.com:

Matt Donnelly Senior Film Writer The internet has practically gone into bicep spasm from “holding space” for a viral moment born in an interview between journalist Tracy E.

Gilchrist and “Wicked” stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. Captured over two weeks ago at one of the many press junkets for the record-breaking movie musical, the interview produced what many viewed as a confounding statement from Gilchrist about the film’s torch song “Defying Gravity.” “This week, people are taking the lyrics to ‘Defying Gravity’ and really holding space with that,” the journalist from EqualPride said. “I didn’t know that that was happening,” Erivo responded, immediately overcome with emotion. “I’ve seen it on a couple posts, I don’t know how widespread.

But I am in queer media,” added Gilchrist. Immediately, users on X and TikTok ran wild with the footage, though Gilchrist said it really didn’t take off until last week.

Some of it was poking fun at the deep sincerity of the exchange, which contained little information but somehow widely resonated with the stars.