- An interview clip between Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo went viral last week
- The pair were on the press tour for their new movie, Wicked
- Now Grande has commented on a new TikTok video featuring the journalist Tracey E. Gilchrist
With Wicked now playing in theaters across the world, fans have been hooked to Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo’s antics on the movie’s press tour.
In many of their interviews, the pair have been emotional about their roles as enemies-turned-best friends Glinda and Elphaba in the adaptation of the 2003 Broadway show, and what the experience meant to them.
However, last week, one of their chats with a journalist went viral for several bizarre reasons.
Interviewer Tracy Gilchrist told Erivo that “people are taking the lyrics of Defying Gravity and really holding space with that, and feeling power in that.”
Appearing to be suddenly moved by her words, Erivo, 37, replied, “I didn’t know that that was happening,” while putting a hand to her chest.
“That’s really powerful – that’s what I wanted,” she added.
Gilchrist continued, “I’ve seen it on a couple posts, I don’t know how widespread. But you know, I am in queer media.”
But if you thought the exchange couldn’t get any more bizarre, Erivo then sought support from her co-star Grande – and somehow, the Dangerous Woman singer ended up holding the Tony winner’s finger.
‘Our queen!’
While the moment went viral online – with several fans sharing their thoughts on the meme – good-natured Gilchrist also had her say.
Poking fun at herself in a TikTok video, Gilchrist held a friend’s finger as they reenacted the moment from her interview.
And it seems that Gilchrist has a new fan – as Grande herself left a comment on the post.
Adding a heart emoji, the 31-year-old wrote, “Oh my goodness! Our queen!!!! Holding space with you always.”
In another video, Gilchrist clarified her comments.
“Long an anthem embraced by folks who have been othered, ‘Defying Gravity’s lyrics took on new weight in the days after the [US] election on Nov. 5,” she wrote. “When asked what it means to her that marginalized people turn to Defying Gravity for solace and inspiration in dark times, Cynthia Erivo’s answer was moving.”
In an interview with Variety, Gilchrist also said she is “glad” that her interview reached so many people.
“I’m glad people are finding joy in it and laughing, and that it’s so viral,” she said. “This was for us. For queer people who understand what I meant by holding space – or really, for anybody who feels marginalized and can relate.”
