The internet is buzzing with the peculiar interview from the ‘Wicked’ press tour. A clip featuring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo’s conversation with an Out magazine reporter has gone viral, garnering tens of millions of views due to the confusion surrounding the reporter’s assertion that fans “are holding space” with the lyrics of “Defying Gravity,” which deeply moved Erivo, 37. This interview has not only been ridiculed by fans but also by some Broadway stars. “Once Upon a Mattress” co-stars Sutton Foster, Ana Gasteyer, and Michael Urie created a TikTok about the meme over the weekend.
In their TikTok, Urie, 44, jokingly told his co-stars in a dressing room at their Broadway show, “I don’t know if you heard this, but people have been taking the lyrics of ‘Shy’ and really holding space with them.” ‘Shy’ is a significant musical number from ‘Once Upon a Mattress,’ a story about a princess attempting to win the hand of a prince in a kingdom where the queen has outlawed marriage. Gasteyer, 57, mimicked Grande’s initial reaction to the “holding space” comment by asking Foster, 49, “Will you pull my finger?” Foster obliged, and Gasteyer made a farting noise, leading the three actors to burst into laughter. Gasteyer captioned her TikTok, “Holding space for all the shy girls today.” Fans responded with comments like, “We don’t deserve you. Thank you for the consistent joy,” and “Oh Ana!! This is exactly what I needed.”
Gasteyer actually originated the role of Elphaba in the Chicago sit-down production of ‘Wicked’ in 2005 and reprised the role on Broadway from October 2006 to January 2007. Erivo and Grande, 31, portray Elphaba and Glinda, respectively, in the new two-part film adaptation of the Broadway show. Their press tour has been criticized for its awkward moments, including the Out magazine interview. Reporter Tracy Gilchrist told the actresses, “People are taking the lyrics of ‘Defying Gravity’ and are really holding space with that and feeling power in that.” Erivo, 37, was visibly moved by Gilchrist’s words, clasping her hand to her chest and responding, “I didn’t know that was happening. That’s really powerful.” Grande supported Erivo during this emotional moment by holding her co-star’s index finger.
Gilchrist added, “I’ve seen it in a couple posts. I don’t know how widespread, but you know, I am in queer media, so, that’s my, you know, but yeah, it’s happening.” This unusual exchange went viral, leaving fans puzzled about what Gilchrist meant and why it provoked such a strong reaction from Erivo. The phrase “holding space” has even become a trending term online. Grande and Erivo will continue their press tour next year for ‘Wicked Part Two,’ set to release on November 21, 2025.
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