• The pair are currently on the press tour for A Complete Unknown
  • They recreated the meme popularised on the Wicked press tour
  • Tracey E. Gilchrist, the journalist who used the phrase ‘holding space’, was present
Timothee Chalamet and Elle Fanning
Timothee Chalamet and Elle Fanning Credit: Janet Mayer

Timothee Chalamet and Elle Fanning have re-created the viral ‘holding space’ meme from the Wicked press tour.

The pair are currently on the press tour for their new Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown. There, they came face to face with Tracey E. Gilchrist, who first used the phrase “holding space” when interviewing Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo for Wicked.

“First, I just wanna let you know that I am holding space for you,” Gilchrist joked.

“Thank you. I am starstruck!” joked Fanning and Chalamet was the same. In reference to the meme, Chalamet then briefly held Fanning’s outstretched finger.

It even got Grande’s approval. She shared the moment to her Instagram story, calling Gilchrist a “queen” for bringing the meme back.

How has the internet reacted?

Fans have loved seeing Chalamet and Fanning jump on the trend.

“this is truly one of the most impactful memes of all time,” joked one fan while another added: “Timothée and Elle serving pure chemistry an iconic moment recreated perfectly!”

Meanwhile, a third wrote: “Timothée and Elle understood the assignment! Iconic interviews creating iconic moments. Tracy Gilchrist stays winning.”

“the holding space impact MUST be studied omg,” someone else wrote.

How did the meme start?

During the Wicked interview, Gilchrist told Erivo that “people are taking the lyrics of ‘Defying Gravity’ and really holding space with that, and feeling power in that.”

Erivo appears suddenly moved by this, saying “I didn’t know that that was happening,” while putting a hand to her chest. Gilchrist then confirms that she has “seen it” online, and a stunned Erivo replies: “That’s really powerful—that’s what I wanted.”

Erivo and Grande then stare dramatically each other, both a little overwhelmed. Somehow, Grande ends up holding Erivo’s finger for support.

“I’ve seen it on a couple posts, I don’t know how widespread,” Gilchrist says. “But you know, I am in queer media, that’s my—you know …”

Fans were both amused and puzzled, not knowing what it means to “hold space” for something. Grande and Erivo’s stunned reactions were also the subject of fanfare.

Later, it spawned a meme where fans reveal what they’re “holding space” for, including the movie-musical itself.

author avatar
Emma Wilkes
Hey its emmawilkes.
See Full Bio
social network icon social network icon