Nov 26
The Internet is 'Holding Space' for 'Defying Gravity,' the Signature Song from 'Wicked'
Kilian Melloy READ TIME: 4 MIN.
"Defying Gravity," the iconic song from the Stephen Schwartz musical "Wicked," might have just spawned an equally iconic meme, with the internet "holding space" for the beloved tune.
Variety notes that the new catchphrase is the result of "a viral moment born in an interview between journalist Tracy E. Gilchrist and 'Wicked' stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo," in which the two leads from the Jon M. Chu film adaptation gave an emotional response to a query posed by Gilchrist, a journalist and executive with EqualPride, a media brand that encompasses The Advocate, Out, Pride, and other publications.
"I've seen this week people are taking the lyrics of 'Defying Gravity' and really holding space with that and feeling power in that," Gilchrist says in the clip.
Erivo responds by putting her hand to her heart and murmuring, "I didn't know that that was happening."
"I'ver seen it, yeah," Gilchrist affirms.
It's a moment that's been "that has been clipped and shared widely across social media," The New York Times relates.
The lightning-in-a-bottle moment is completed as a visibly moved Erivo says, "That's really powerful," before adding: "That's what I wanted." She glances at Grande, seated to her right, and Grande reaches over to take hold of Erivo's finger affectionately, saying, "Mmm, yeah."
"Every rewatch of the video feels more surreal," EDGE remarked earlier this week. "What is going on? Why can't we stop watching it? What does the interviewer mean? Why does Cynthia Erivo seem so touched by it? Why is Ariana Grande holding onto just one of Cynthia's fingers?
"The video raises a range of interesting questions, and yet its potent, perplexing vibe has us unable to look away."
So it would seem.
"Whether it was the phrase 'holding space,' the earnest and melodramatic reactions it elicited from Ms. Erivo and Ms. Grande, or the delicate finger-hold – or some combination of the three – the interview has spurred a range of reactions online," the Times mused.
Kilian Melloy serves as EDGE Media Network's Associate Arts Editor and Staff Contributor. His professional memberships include the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, the Boston Online Film Critics Association, The Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association, and the Boston Theater Critics Association's Elliot Norton Awards Committee.
