Whoopi Goldberg was looking forward to a brief moment when it came to discussing “Wicked.” On Tuesday’s episode of “The View,” the 69-year-old actress feigned sleep as the panel talked about a “Wicked” meme featuring stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. Goldberg propped her chin on her hand after introducing the viral interview moment during the Hot Topics segment.

Tracy Gilchrist for Out magazine shared with Erivo and Grande that fans of the project “are holding space” with the lyrics of “Defying Gravity,” which deeply moved Erivo, 37, during their press tour. “I didn’t know that was happening. That’s really powerful,” Erivo said, as Grande, 31, reached over and held her co-star’s finger. “Apparently, this has resonated with people. Why? I don’t know,” Goldberg remarked on the ABC show. Co-hosts Sunny Hostin and Alyssa Farah Griffin then mimicked Erivo and Grande’s finger gesture, prompting laughter from the audience.

“What does holding space mean?” Joy Behar eventually asked. Hostin, 56, explained that it’s the “practice of making space for someone else’s experience and centering them,” fostering listening and empathy, according to Psychology Today. “Am I supposed to hold space for Trump supporters now?” Behar, 82, joked. Meanwhile, Griffin, 35, commented on how “perfectly unhinged the whole press tour is” for “Wicked.” Behar then pointed out Goldberg nodding off at the table, stating, “Whoopi took a nap throughout this entire segment.” Hostin added, “She’s holding space for her self-care!”

Goldberg then woke up from her deep sleep, looked around, smiled, and sent the show to a commercial break. Gilchrist has faced internet mockery for the phrase, but told Variety on Monday that the interview was conducted a day and a half after the Nov. 5 presidential election, and she approached it with sincere intentions. She also explained her personal definition of “holding space.” “I was very inspired by Tony Morrison, [senior communications director] from GLAAD,” she said. “He posted the lyrics of ‘Defying Gravity’ before I did my interview. It was a great explainer. ‘Holding space’ is being physically, emotionally, and mentally present with someone or something. 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 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,” Gilchrist continued. “The Trump administration is targeting LGBTQ+ people via Project 2025. When Cynthia sings ‘I’m through accepting limits,’ there’s power in that. She plays a character who is othered. One who comes to her full power when she is exiled by a charlatan, by a cruel leader.” Gilchrist concluded, “There’s a lot of resonance there right now for anyone who is marginalized. For me, holding space is listening to those lyrics anew and finding solace or inspiration.”

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