Neither Ariana Grande Nor Cynthia Erivo Knew What “Holding Space” Meant

Last month, the Wicked press craze reached a fever pitch when interviewer Tracy E. Gilchrist instructed Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo that followers had been “holding house” for the lyrics of “Defying Gravity.” Along with the web who made a meme out of the second, the famously emotional duo didn’t actually know what that meant, which they revealed in a brand new interview with Variety.

“I used to be stunned as a result of I used to be like, ‘I had no concept,’ as a result of I hadn’t been trying,” Erivo defined. “I had no concept that this factor was happening.” Grande added, “I didn’t know what any a part of it meant. I didn’t perceive the primary sentence, after which I positively didn’t perceive the way you responded. And I simply wished to be there. Because I knew one thing large was occurring, and I didn’t know find out how to be there.”

Grande additionally mentioned she was “relieved by the web’s response, as a result of I felt like, ‘Oh, I’m not damaged’” for not realizing what Gilchrist meant.

Since the interview went viral, Gilchrist defined what she meant to Variety:

I used to be very impressed by Tony Morrison, [senior communications director] from GLAAD. He posted the lyrics of “Defying Gravity” earlier than I did my interview. It was an awesome explainer. “Holding house” is being bodily, emotionally and mentally current with somebody or one thing. For me, it means being within the second, not being distracted and feeling one thing on a mobile stage. I feel you may maintain house with lyrics of a tune — one you’ve heard tons of of instances — and it will possibly all of the sudden tackle new which means once you’re a queer particular person. The Trump administration is concentrating on LGBTQ+ individuals by way of Project 2025. When Cynthia sings “I’m by means of accepting limits,” there’s energy in that. She performs a personality who’s othered. One who involves her full energy when she is exiled by a charlatan, by a merciless chief. There’s a variety of resonance there proper now for anybody who’s marginalized. For me, holding house is listening to these lyrics anew and discovering solace or inspiration.

The pair each recognize the meme, although, with Erivo saying, “I really like that it’s develop into vernacular now, which is actually enjoyable. I need a T-shirt with ‘holding house’ on it.” Watch the interview under.