The award-winning journalist and viral queer media icon is starting a new chapter. This week, Gilchrist officially launched “Holding Space with Tracy E. Gilchrist”, a weekly podcast built around authentic, joy-filled conversations with the creators shaping culture today. The series premieres December 10 with pop star, Broadway performer, and professional chaos generator Frankie Grande kicking things off as the inaugural guest.
We did not know this was happening… But now we do!
Let’s Hold Some Space
Gilchrist went viral last year after her junket interview with Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande took an unexpectedly tender turn. It began when Gilchrist told Erivo that “people are holding space for the lyrics of ‘Defying Gravity,’” the powerhouse ballad from the Wicked film. Then the gentle, unexpected finger-holding exchanged between Grande and Erivo turned into a full-on cultural movement, spawning memes, reaction videos, Halloween costumes, and so much more.
Now, one year later, she’s returning to the moment that launched queer media into the spotlight. Only this time, the finger-holding energy comes with microphones, longer conversations, and more room for sincerity, humor, and camp to breathe.
“In the last year, I’ve held more fingers than I can count,” Gilchrist says. “There’s clearly a demand for conversations that prize substance and joy. Listen in and hold space for your new favorite weekly podcast.”
The show is produced by filmmaker João Dall’Stella, whose festival success and viral projects have made him a champion of queer stories. He says giving Tracy her own platform felt inevitable, adding that she has always been an amplifier of voices — now she just gets to do it on her own terms.
What to Expect from the First Episodes
Frankie Grande leads the premiere with a deeply queer and deeply Frankie conversation about identity, sobriety, and family. He speaks candidly about everything from the misunderstood art of power bottoms (“Power is literally in the name”) to creating his new album Hotel Rock Bottom as an act of radical queer joy, even in a challenging political climate. He shares heartfelt stories about Ariana supporting him in recovery — volunteering to set up chairs and bring juice at meetings — and also recounts the chaos of the Wicked Singapore premiere with the unmistakable protective energy of an older brother who absolutely would have gone to jail if he’d been closer to the barricade. He closes by talking about writing a gay prom anthem inspired by the prom night he wishes he’d had, one where he got to go with a boy and his actual crush.
The following week, Tracy sits down with Bruno Alcantara, beloved member of the Drag Race Pit Crew, who dives into the new season, shares stories about being a queer immigrant from Brazil, and explains why he’s never been shy about calling out ICE.
Meet Tracy E. Gilchrist: The Voice Behind the Movement
Gilchrist’s new podcast is a natural evolution for someone who has spent more than two decades shaping LGBTQ+ media. She has interviewed and profiled some of the biggest names in entertainment and politics — from Lady Gaga and Janelle Monáe to Hillary and Chelsea Clinton — all while carving out space for LGBTQ+ women, creators, and visionaries.
Her career includes leading The Advocate as editor in chief, serving as Out’s entertainment correspondent, hosting red carpets and panel discussions, and spotlighting queer storytelling across film, television, and music. In the past year alone, she joined the It Gets Better board, became an honorary member of the NYC Gay Men’s Chorus, presented at the GLAAD Awards, and hosted conversations with everyone from Jennifer Beals to the creative forces behind Euphoria and Portrait of a Lady on Fire.
Now, she’s entering a chapter where she doesn’t just interview artists — she invites them into deeper conversations that leave space for nuance, emotion, and laughter.
Holding Space for What’s Next
With new episodes arriving every Wednesday, “Holding Space with Tracy E. Gilchrist” is poised to become a weekly ritual — a place to breathe, reflect, reconnect, and yes… hold a little space.
Tune in on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, or wherever you listen. Watch full video episodes on YouTube. Follow @HoldingSpaceWithTracy across platforms to join the movement.
