Journalist behind bizarre 'holding space' interview moment with Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo finally explains what she meant
Topics: Ariana Grande, Film and TV, Cynthia Erivo, LGBTQ, Viral
Gerrard Kaonga
Featured Image Credit: OUT
Topics: Ariana Grande, Film and TV, Cynthia Erivo, LGBTQ, Viral
Wicked has hit cinemas, and loads of fans are loving it - but there is still an awkward interview that has people baffled.
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo massively delivered on making Wicked a hit, if the critics and fan reviews are anything to go by.
But ahead of the film's release, fans were talking about the two actresses for the wrong reasons. All because of a rather bizarre moment during a joint interview.
The two stars have shown to be quite close, and are even spotted holding hands, but a moment that occured while being interviewed by Out’s Tracy E Gilchrist left fans scratching their heads.
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Gilchrist said to Erivo: “I've seen this week that people are taking the lyrics of 'Defying Gravity' and really holding space with that and feeling power in that.
"Would you touch on that moment in the film Elphaba has been banished and yet she comes into her full power at that moment of the worst time?"
Responding as if she didn't know quite what to say, Erivo replied: "I didn't know that that was happening... that's really powerful. That's what I wanted."
Looking longingly at Grande, who squeezes her co-star's hand, Erivo went on: "I think it's really important in that moment to not allow the things that have hurt her, that have stripped her of her humanity, to keep her down."
It all sounds rather nice, but a lot of fans have admitted, they haven’t a clue what the question even means, especially the phrase ‘really holding space’.
Gilchrist decided to address the viral moment, but she didn’t do much in clearing up what she meant. The phrasing could have definitely been clearer.
She said: “When I posed the question to Cynthia about people holding space with the lyrics to ‘Defying Gravity,’ it was two days after the election, and everyone I knew in the LGBTQ+ community was trying to make sense of what we might be facing.
“I loved her response, and I love that people are having a laugh, because I know I could use one about now.
“I never considered I’d become a meme. But as an unrepentant showqueen, I’m thrilled that it’s for something this campy, in response to a movie I love. Now go see Wicked!”
Yup, surely there could have been a clearer way to get onto this topic, but either way it seems like Wicked is a great time, so probably best to just enjoy that.