This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s fall editorial intern Jason Tsoi. Find him on Instagram at @jason.tsoi. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
Since the release of “Wicked,” the film has generated excitement, making over millions of dollars in the box office. In addition to achieving success at the box office, the film, directed by Jon Chu and featuring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, ignited discussions across social media. Before and after its premiere, fans produced viral content of moments from the film and its press tour. Here are some viral “Wicked” memes and moments that have taken over social media.
“That’s My Line”
Leading up to a film’s release, it is standard for studios to promote through television commercials. “Wicked” is no exception to this model. In the beginning of October, the retail giant Target announced its partnership with the film by introducing a marketing campaign. The marketing campaign consisted of “Wicked”-themed products, as well as a commercial featuring award-winning actress and singer Erivo, who plays Elphaba. In the commercial, there’s a specific moment at the end that has gained attention on social media. Towards the end, a man is shown singing an off-pitch motif from the iconic musical song, “Defying Gravity.” Erivo then steps into the screen and says, “That’s my line,” followed by her signature line from the song.
The commercial resonated with fans who took to social media to make memes of the advertisement. On TikTok, users posted slowed down videos of Erivo singing with relatable captions. Some social media users also mimicked the dramatic nature of the commercial, recreating it at their own Target or in public spaces. While replicating the advertisement, many struggled to reach the signature high note, making for a comedic moment.
“Holding Space”
While scrolling on social media, you may have come across users using the phrase “holding space.” The phrase gained attention on social media during the “Wicked” press tour, where Out Magazine journalist Tracey E. Gilchrist interviewed Erivo and Grande, who plays Glinda. During the interview, Gilchrist noted to Erivo that “people are taking the lyrics of ‘Defying Gravity’ and really holding space with that, and feeling power in that.” From Erivo’s surprised facial expression to Grande repeatedly tapping her costar’s finger, it seemed that these words had a profound impact on both stars.
However, in an interview with Variety, Erivo and Grande addressed the viral interaction, sharing what they were truly thinking in that exact moment. It turns out that both stars had no idea what Gilchrist was saying. So, what exactly does “holding space” mean? The term, first popularized in a blog post by writer Heather Plett, means being present for someone or a group of people without judging their feelings or experiences.
This confusing interview spread rapidly on the internet, inspiring fans to use the phrase in their posts in absurd or excessive ways. In a post on X, actress Keke Palmer joined in on the trend in a review of the film. Palmer gave a positive review, saying “‘Wicked’ was fabulous. I’m holding space for aWoAHHHohhAHHHHH. PERIOD!” The interaction also motivated social media users to create their own memes. In a post on X, user @cambeserious created a parody of the “Wicked” poster, replacing the hands of Elphaba and Glinda to a photo of Grande holding Erivo’s finger in the interview.
“Me and Boq”
There are many songs from the stage-to-film adaptation that captivated viewers, but there’s one musical moment that sparked the most social media buzz. During the song, “Dancing Through Life,” Nessarose shares an intimate conversation she had with a Munchkin and fellow Shiz University student named Boq, who is played by Ethan Slater. Nessarose reveals to her sister, Elphaba, that Boq asked her out to the Ozdust Ballroom, which is where she sings the notable line, “We deserve each other, me and Boq.”
This line from the song attracted notice among many social media users, who exaggerated Boq’s name, associating the name’s pronunciation to the “bawk” sounds that a chicken makes. From having “Boq offs” to creating remixes of songs, like Grande’s “the boy is mine,” this recent trend has made an impression on hundreds of thousands of viewers. The trend also reached Marissa Bode, the actor who plays Nessarose. In a recent video, Bode danced to a parody remix of Charli xcx’s “B2b” that replaced the lyric “back” to “Boq.”
Not only has the musical line taken over social media, but it has also taken over public spaces. This past Saturday, TikTok user @tswiftfan420 hosted “Boq Fest” — a Boq lookalike competition — at Washington Square Park in New York City, where a crowd came together to judge a group of people who share a resemblance of the “Wicked” character. During the lookalike competition, the crowd sang the iconic “me and Boq” line from the film, building a sense of community. “Boq #2” also known as @Raulec13 won the competition.
The Breakout Stars Of ‘Wicked’
While Erivo and Grande are the main stars of the film, there were some background actors who stole the show. One of those actors is Emily Haygarth, who played a Shiz University student and is referred to as “purple bob girl” or “Miss Bob” by fans. During the “What Is This Feeling?” segment, the actor is shown dancing at a cafeteria while holding a fork and knife. For her energetic choreography, Haygarth captured the attention of fans, who replicated the actor’s every move using their own cutlery. In a TikTok post, Haygarth reenacted her notable performance, cherishing her seconds of screentime.
Another actor who garnered recognition from appearing in the film is Kirsty Anne Shaw. Following the “No One Mourns the Wicked,” sequence, Shaw, who plays a Munchkin, questioned Glinda’s relationship with Elphaba. This short interaction generated conversations amongst fans, who called the Munchkin “messy” for calling out Glinda. Shaw joined in on the fun discussion, making her own TikTok of the conversation. In the comments, fans praised Shaw for her line delivery. After all, we would not have been able to hear the full story of Elphaba and Glinda without her.
What is your favorite viral meme or moment from the ‘Wicked’ movie? Let us know in the comments.
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