The internet can't get enough of Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo's bewildered reactions during the now-famous Out interview, sparking a wave of memes and laughter.
- Dec 8, 2024
AceShowbiz - The stars of the newly released "Wicked" movie, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, have addressed the viral "holding space" meme from their awkward yet heartfelt Out interview. The video, which quickly gained traction online, featured queer journalist Tracy Gilchrist discussing how LGBTQ+ fans resonate with the song "Defying Gravity" by "holding space" and feeling empowered by it.
Erivo responded emotionally in the original video, noting, "Uh, I didn't know that was happening." During the exchange, Grande held Erivo's finger, adding to the poignant moment's emotional intensity. The scene soon became a meme as viewers humorously fixated on Grande's finger-tapping gesture.
In a recent interview with Variety, both actors opened up about their initial confusion during the Out interview. Erivo admitted she didn't grasp the "holding space" phrasing, while Grande shared that she "didn't understand the first sentence" of Gilchrist's statement. Reflecting on the moment, Grande said she simply wanted to be present because she felt something significant was unfolding.
"I remember in the moment asking myself, 'Am I okay? Did I not hear something?' " Grande recalled, referencing her confusion and emotional support for Erivo. She also commented on the infamous finger-tapping, explaining she reached out because Erivo looked on the verge of tears. "And I don't know what the tapping was about," she added.
Erivo similarly reflected on her confusion, expressing that she wasn't sure of the "queer media" reference. "I honestly didn't know what that meant," she admitted. Despite the perplexing exchange, both actors have embraced the meme status that arose from the interview.
Grande expressed relief that viewers shared her bewilderment, noting, "I feel really relieved that the world had the same experience with this moment that I did." Meanwhile, Erivo expressed her delight in how the "holding space" phrase entered the public vernacular.
"I love that it's become vernacular now, which is really fun, that people are constantly saying, 'We're really holding space with that.' I want a T-shirt with 'Holding space with that,' " she mused. Grande concluded on a humorous note, emphasizing the importance of the moment, "The best thing to do is, really, to hold space with that."
"Wicked: Part One" is now showing in theaters, with "Part Two" set for release on November 21, 2025.
