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.

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.

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.

The holding space meme from Wicked goes viral as fans humorously connect with the empowering Defying Gravity song.

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."

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.