As if “Wicked” hasn’t already taken over the internet enough, a moment from one of the stars’ press interviews has turned into the latest meme. Here’s an explainer.

If you are still desperate to make sense of the notion of “holding space for the lyrics to ‘Defying Gravity,’” the patron saint of queer media herself has since clarified what she meant in this specific context.

Needless to say "holding space" has become the phrase du jour on platforms like X and Bluesky, where posters are imagining characters like Carrie Bradshaw to Don Corleon holding space for "Defying Gravity." They are even using it in completely different contexts like, "hey a bunch of us are outside holding space for cigarettes if you wanna join."

Let’s set the scene! A reporter from Out.com told Erivo this: “I’ve seen this week, people are taking the lyrics of Defying Gravity and really holding space with that, and feeling power in that.” Erivo got very emotional, saying she didn’t know that had happened and that it was extremely powerful. Grande then held her … finger.

"I've seen this week, people are taking the lyrics of ‘Defying Gravity' and really holding space with that, and feeling power in that," Gilchrist says to Erivo in a clip of the exchange. The sentiment touched Erivo,

Fans are “holding space” for the Wicked song Defying Gravity online as part of a new viral meme that has taken over the internet.

Tracy Gilchrist went viral last week for her comment about the song "Defying Gravity" during an interview with Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo.

Part One’ cliffhanger ending—and its powerful extension of the song “Defying Gravity”—provide some rationale behind a viral meme.