What does it mean for a psychologist to explain the concept of "holding space" for "Defying Gravity"?

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande's emotional press tour for "Wicked" has garnered attention in addition to the movie's release.

In a recent interview, Out reporter Tracy E. Gilchrist informs the two actresses that "people are interpreting the lyrics of 'Defying Gravity' as a means of finding power and space."

Both Erivo and Grande appear visibly moved. Erivo responds, "That's really powerful. That's what I wanted."

The now popular video clip sparked a response, although it may not have been the emotional reaction the interviewer expected. Viewers on X show found the interaction strange and amusing.

Gilchrist responded in Out to becoming a meme:

"Two days after the election, when I asked Cynthia about people holding space with the lyrics to 'Defying Gravity,' everyone in the LGBTQ+ community was trying to make sense of what we might be facing. I loved her response, and I love that people are having a laugh, because I know I could use one about now."

According to Lisa Marie Bobby, a relationship psychologist and founder of Growing Self Counseling & Coaching in Denver, holding space is a "core therapy concept."

"Creating a safe, compassionate environment where someone can feel seen, heard, and understood without judgment or interruption is what it means," she explains. "Pausing to fully experience and acknowledge a moment is what it refers to."

Being 'emotionally and authentically present in an undistracted way'

Instead of brushing off or trying to calm down an uncomfortable response, Bobby suggests that acknowledging and accepting it allows you to fully experience it.

According to Thema Bryant, a professor of psychology at Pepperdine University and former president of the American Psychological Association, being in the moment isn't intuitive for many people.

You may be physically present but mentally absent, preoccupied with tasks for the next day or regretting a social mistake from a week ago.

According to Bryant, being emotionally and authentically present in an undistracted way means being fully present in the current moment, without being preoccupied with the concerns of the day or being overwhelmed by the past.

Individuals possessing high emotional intelligence (EQ) excel at empathizing with others because they are adept at accommodating their own emotions and those of others.

How to hold space for yourself and others

"It's okay to pause and recognize our emotions, whether it's anger, sadness, or joy, before moving forward," Bryant advises.

We can rephrase the sentence to make it sound more natural.

"I may switch from the casual 'What's up?' to a more in-depth 'There's been a lot going on this year. How have you been coping? Can you tell me about the past few weeks?'" indicates that you desire a more comprehensive answer.

Being OK with a friend's unhappiness or anxiety is part of holding space, Bobby says. It's about allowing emotions, thoughts, or moments to unfold naturally without trying to fix or minimize discomfort.

'Emotions get a bad rap'

Erivo and Grande's clip is being mocked by some people, and Bryant is not surprised. She believes that emotions are often undervalued and dismissed in favor of actions, stating, "Emotions get a bad rap."

"Amplifying the impact of your work on a deeper emotional level can be very moving, as it resonates with people and brings joy to them," she says.

In the clip, Erivo and Grande discuss the significance of "Wicked" for many audiences and contemplate how the movie is resonating. Bryant remarks, "They are talking about holding space and now they are holding space for this moment."

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