An interview with Wicked star Cynthia Erivo recently went viral for all the wrong reasons, as fans and the reporter herself were left perplexed by a particularly emotional moment during the conversation.
The exchange, which focused on the song Defying Gravity from Wicked: Part One, became a source of both confusion and amusement.
“Holding Space” Goes Viral
The interview between Cynthia and journalist Tracy E. Gilchrist took an unexpected turn when Tracy brought up the emotional reaction to Defying Gravity and how audiences were “holding space” with the lyrics.
Cynthia, who plays Elphaba in the film, was visibly moved, placing a hand over her chest and saying, “I didn’t know that was happening. That’s really powerful. That’s what I wanted.”
Tracy, trying to explain the phenomenon, mentioned that she had seen it on social media, especially within queer media circles, but her wording seemed to throw Cynthia off in a way that neither of them anticipated.
This led to a viral moment, with the phrase “holding space” quickly becoming a meme on social media.
A Backpedal and Clarification
In an attempt to clarify her earlier comments, Tracy spoke about how surprised she was by Cynthia’s heartfelt response.
Tracy admitted that she had used the phrase “holding space” as a segue into her question, but Cynthia’s emotional reaction caught her off guard.
“I was a little thrown off,” Tracy confessed.
“It was so sincere and real that I got flustered. I should’ve said, ‘I had this conversation with a friend,’ instead of mentioning queer media.”
While Tracy noted that she had previously interviewed Cynthia, she still couldn’t help but laugh at the viral nature of the moment.
“I’m glad people are finding joy in it,” she said, appreciating the humor despite the awkwardness.
Defining “Holding Space”
The phrase that had social media buzzing, “holding space,” became the subject of many jokes, as viewers were confused about what it meant.
Tracy explained that to “hold space” is to be fully present—physically, emotionally, and mentally—whether it’s for someone or something.
It’s about being in the moment and feeling a connection on a deep, personal level.
Tracy also shared that the emotional power of Defying Gravity resonates particularly with marginalized groups, including the queer community, especially in light of the Trump administration’s policies toward LGBTQ+ individuals.
The Finger Grab and Other Odd Moments
As the interview continued, another peculiar moment occurred.
Ariana Grande, who stars as Glinda, was seen gently holding Cynthia’s finger in what appeared to be an emotional gesture of support.
Social media users couldn’t help but comment on the bizarre nature of the moment, with some expressing confusion over the act. “Is this a sketch comedy show or something?” one viewer joked.
This interview was just one of many unusual moments from the Wicked press tour, with both Cynthia and Ariana breaking into tears multiple times during interviews.
Fans took notice, with some even questioning whether the actresses were okay, given the frequent emotional outbursts.
Emotional Reactions and the Press Tour
Cynthia herself offered an explanation for the tears during an interview, acknowledging that the Wicked press tour had been particularly emotional.
“People bring their energy into the room with us, and when we talk about the journey, it’s the first time we’ve been able to reflect on it,” she explained.
“We just get very emotional about it.”
Ariana added to this, noting that they’ve cried more than 500 times during the press tour, jokingly apologizing for it.
However, some fans were growing weary of the constant tears, commenting on the repetitive nature of the emotional moments during interviews.
One user summed it up by saying, “What’s going on with this press tour? Are they okay?”
The Anticipation for Wicked
Despite the media frenzy surrounding the press tour, the anticipation for the Wicked film adaptation remains high.
The movie, which tells the backstory of the Wicked Witch of the West, is directed by Jon M. Chu and has been in production since late 2022.
Although filming was paused due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, it resumed in late 2023 and wrapped in January 2024.
The film’s two-part release ensures that the cast and crew will be back on the promotional circuit again next year.
Critics have already praised Cynthia Erivo’s performance as Elphaba, with some calling her portrayal mesmerizing.
The Guardian’s Peter Bradshaw noted her “charismatic” presence, while the Daily Mail’s Brian Viner described the film as a “fabulous spectacle.”
With the press tour continuing to generate buzz, fans are eagerly awaiting the release of Wicked to see if the movie lives up to the emotional rollercoaster of its promotional journey.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!
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