‘Queer Media’ Journalist On Viral ‘Wicked’ Interview: ‘They Can Hate All They Want’
The self-described “queer media” journalist behind the interview with “Wicked” stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande that’s since gone viral is speaking out about the discussion and aftermath. Out magazine’s Tracy E. Gilchrist spoke with Variety after a clip of the interview totally blew up online. In it, Gilchrist tells the movie’s two leads that ...
The self-described “queer media” journalist behind the interview with “Wicked” stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande that’s since gone viral is speaking out about the discussion and aftermath.
Out magazine’s Tracy E. Gilchrist spoke with Variety after a clip of the interview totally blew up online. In it, Gilchrist tells the movie’s two leads that fans are “really holding space” with the song “Defying Gravity.” This comment caused Erivo, who plays the Wicked Witch of the West (Elphaba), to become emotional.
Viewers were confused over what Gilchrist meant by her “holding space” reference and questioned how Erivo could understand.
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“I didn’t know that was happening,” the actress said with a quavering voice. “That’s really powerful. That’s what I wanted.”
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Gilchrist said she was shocked by the attention. “It’s so overwhelming,” she said. “I was in meetings and my phone started blowing up. Later I was at lunch with a friend, and he kept asking me to explain what was happening – like, why is it funny? I don’t know! It just is.”
As of Tuesday morning, the clip has close to 77 million views on X.
The Variety interviewer specifically asked Gilchrist about the phrase “holding space” that’s gotten so much attention. Gilchrist said it means “being physically, emotionally and mentally present with someone or something.”
She added, “For me, it means being in the moment, not being distracted and feeling something on a cellular level. I think you can hold space with lyrics of a song – one you’ve heard hundreds of times – and it can suddenly take on new meaning when you’re a queer person. The Trump administration is targeting LGBTQ+ people via Project 2025.”
Gilchrist went on, “When Cynthia sings ‘I’m through accepting limits,’ there’s power in that. She plays a character who is othered. One who comes to her full power when she is exiled by a charlatan, by a cruel leader. There’s a lot of resonance there right now for anyone who is marginalized. For me, holding space is listening to those lyrics anew and finding solace or inspiration.”
“This was for us, for queer people who understand what I meant by holding space — or really, for anybody who feels marginalized and can relate,” she continued. “So it’s for us. It’s not for them. They can hate all they want.”
Originally Published at Daily Wire, World Net Daily, or The Blaze
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