Behind the meme: Why "Wicked" fans are "holding space" for "Defying Gravity"
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Ariana Grande (L) and Cynthia Erivo (R) pose upon arrival for the European Premiere of the film "Wicked" at the Royal Festival Hall in central London on Nov. 18. Photo: Ben Stansall / AFP via Getty Images
The internet has been inundated with a press tour moment from the film "Wicked" that's been memed around the world: Actress Cynthia Erivo, overcome with emotion, shares she's stunned to hear people have been taking lyrics from the "Wicked" song "Defying Gravity" and "really holding space with that."
The big picture: If that sounds like gibberish, you're not alone. The meaning of "holding space" — a way of creating judgement-free, safe spaces for healing — was lost on many social media users, but spoofs of the early-November interview became a yellow brick road to viral status.
- People began "holding space" for "Defying Gravity," the film character Elphaba's signature song of self-discovery, just about everywhere: in Target, over a Chili's meal, on the basketball court and in their out-of-office automatic replies.
- And with the box office bonanza sparked in part by the Friday release of "Wicked," the film adaptation of the Broadway musical, the "holding space" trend has become increasingly popular.
Driving the news: In an interview earlier this month, EqualPride journalist and GLAAD award winner Tracy Gilchrist shared the news with Erivo and "Wicked" actress Ariana Grande that people online were "holding space" with "Defying Gravity" lyrics.
- Erivo brought her hand to her chest, replying with earnest emotion, "I didn't know that that was happening."
- Gilchrist told Variety she was using the anecdote to tee up a question and was "a little thrown off" by Erivo's sincere response.
- The Tony-award-winning actress was quickly swept up in the statement, saying, "That's what I wanted," as Grande nodded at her affectionately, cradling Erivo's hand (or finger).
- "I've seen it on a couple posts," Gilchrist answered. "I don't know how widespread, but, you know, I am in queer media."
Zoom out: There's a real meaning behind the idea of "holding space" — but it carries a different definition from person to person, clinical psychologist and Wayne State University professor Rheeda Walker told Axios. She says there's no true textbook definition.
- "It really is this idea of taking initiative and creating some opportunity for another person to be able to express their pain and their hurt, their frustration and whatever emotional difficulty they may be having," she said.
In her discussion with Variety, Gilchrist noted the interview happened just a day-and-a-half after the Nov. 5 election, which left many in the LGBTQ+ community reeling.
- She said her inquiry was inspired by a Nov. 7 post from GLAAD Senior Communications Director Tony Morrison, who shared lyrics from the famous Broadway ballad writing, "It's been hard to find the words to say this week, but Elphaba really said it best."
What he's saying: To him, the words to "Defying Gravity" were a battle cry for the days ahead: They captured both the need recover and a looming call to action.
- Morrison said the song "found" him when he couldn't articulate his own feelings after the red takeover of Washington, a reality that poses a myriad of risks to the LGBTQ+ community, notably trans Americans.
- The lyrics — and Elphaba's character arc from feeling shunned to empowered — are "for everyone who has felt othered or misplaced or forgotten," he said.
- The lyrics he shared online ended with, "I think I'll try defying gravity. They'll never bring us down." The "they," through Morrison's eyes, "is everyone who has ever wanted and who wants to still erase queer and trans people."
Flashback: Heather Plett, a trained facilitator and the co-founder of the Centre for Holding Space, is often credited with popularizing the phrase "holding space" in a 2015 blog post after her mother's death.
- She also authored a book, "The Art of Holding Space," exploring the nuance she added to the ever-evolving definition.
- It part of a practice she knew from her work as a facilitator, someone who helps groups work together, one that was meant to help people host meaningful conversations — but for her and others, it also became a way of healing.
Context: A lot of holding space, she says, is "rooted in what you're doing for yourself": engaging in self-care, self-reflection and healing.
- In her workshops, Plett almost always incorporates music or poetry to guide people in holding space. (Sound familiar?)
- "Good lyrics like 'Defying Gravity,' a good song, we really respond to on a on a somatic body level, but also on a heart level ... we're being seen," she said.
Plett says she's not surprised that the lyrics resonated with LGBTQ+ folk.
- "I recognize the value of it because I'm queer myself, so I understand what it feels like to be living in a reality where you're not always accepted in the world," she says.
- Plett added: "When we hold space for each other, we're really honoring each other's dignity and unique identity and sovereignty."
Go deeper: "Demure" is Dictionary.com's 2024 word of the year
