Tracy Gilchrist went viral last week for her comment about the song "Defying Gravity" during an interview with Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo.

Gilchrist, who has been mocked by the internet for creating the completely nonsensical now-viral phrase, told Variety on Monday that the interview was conducted a day and a half after the Nov. 5 presidential election, and that she went into the sit-down with “sincere” intentions.

In an interview with Variety, journalist Tracy E. Gilchrist opened up about the viral moment from her Wicked interview with Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, and broke down the definition of "holding space.

It’s not for them.” Many of the cynics and haters were, in fact, queer people who did not understand, but she doesn’t need to know that. For once, the internet made a fun moment and nobody had their life ruined in the process.

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 meme. Here’s an explainer.

A recent interview with "Wicked" stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande spurred discussion on what the phrase "holding space" really means.

The Wicked press tour just keeps delivering when it comes to viral moments, and now a journalist has finally spoken out about that interview with the movie's stars. Leading actors Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande have been circulating the internet for their various bizarre moments in interviews.

Speaking in her home publication OUT magazine (because, as we know, she’s in queer media) Tracy E Gilchrist gave some clarification on what she was actually going on about with the Wicked holding space meme – not that it actually makes any more sense. But that’s the beauty of it.

Needless to say "holding space" has become the phrase du jour on platforms like X and Bluesky, where posters are imagining characters like Carrie Bradshaw to Don Corleon holding space for "Defying Gravity." They are even using it in completely different contexts like, "hey a bunch of us are outside holding space for cigarettes if you wanna join."

If you are still desperate to make sense of the notion of “holding space for the lyrics to ‘Defying Gravity,’” the patron saint of queer media herself has since clarified what she meant in this specific context.

Part One’ cliffhanger ending—and its powerful extension of the song “Defying Gravity”—provide some rationale behind a viral meme.