Timothée Chalamet and Elle Fanning have seen Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo‘s viral Wicked meme — and yes, the A Complete Unknown costars are holding space for them.
In a recent video posted by The Advocate‘s Tracy Gilchrist — who went viral in November for a confusing but hilarious interaction with the Wicked actresses regarding the lyrics of “Defying Gravity” — the stars of James Mangold’s Bob Dylan biopic recreated that much-analyzed moment during their own interview with the journalist.
The clip begins with Gilchrist immediately breaking the ice. “First, I just want to let you know that I am holding space for you,” she says, referencing her own viral catchphrase and making Chalamet and Fanning laugh.
The Dune actor the sticks out his finger as Fanning grabs onto it, mimicking how the “Yes, And?” singer held onto the Pinocchio actress’ finger in Gilchrist’s memorable interview with the Wicked leading ladies. “It’s an honor talking to you,” Chalamet proceeds to tell Gilchrist earnestly. “I feel like, sort of starstruck. I was like, ‘Tracy! Holy s–t. Okay, this better be good.’”
“There’s nothing that we can do that can trump what happened, you know what I mean?” Fanning chimes in as all three laugh.
Gilchrist’s interview with the A Complete Unknown stars comes a little over a month after the “holding space” meme originated. While chatting with Grande and Erivo about Wicked for Out magazine mid-November, the journalist began by saying, “This week, people are taking the lyrics of ‘Defying Gravity’ and really holding space with that.”
Erivo immediately got emotional as the Victorious alum, looking a little bit confused, held her friend’s finger for support. For days afterward, fans online went wild dissecting the exchange, with the uproar focusing in particular on what the definition of “holding space” could be.
Shortly afterward, Grande and Erivo revealed that they were just as perplexed during the interview as everyone else was when watching it. “I didn’t know what any part of it meant,” the “7 Rings” vocalist said, laughing, in a Variety video breaking down the meme with the Harriet star and Wicked director Jon M. Chu. “I remember in the moment, asking myself, ‘Am I okay? Did I not hear something?’” Gilchrist herself has since explained the meaning of “holding space” in addition to having some fun with the viral moment in a commercial.
Watch Chalamet and Fanning recreate the viral “holding space” meme below.
