Tracy E. Gilchrist is holding space for a new podcast.
The veteran journalist and media personality, who found herself at the center of a wildly viral moment last year thanks to an interview and finger-holding incident featuring Wicked stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, has launched Holding Space With Tracy E. Gilchrist. The weekly podcast series promises up close and personal chats with boldfaced names from entertainment, culture, politics and beyond.
The first episode dropped Wednesday and features Grande’s big brother, performer Frankie Grande, in a candid conversation that covers everything from gay sex and his definition of a “power bottom” to how his superstar sister has supported his recovery by attending 12-step meetings. And, yes, Gilchrist held Grande’s finger during the conversation.
“Why are we shaming power bottoms? You tops need them. We serve a purpose in the community. It is in the name. Power. Power is in the name. Power bottom,” Grande explained while on the subject of gay sex, which is getting a lot of play in pop culture right about now, thanks to Heated Rivalry on HBO Max.
His appearance came a few months after Grande released his debut studio album, Hotel Rock Bottom. “I really just wanted to put a really queer piece out into the world,” he said of its release. “Especially during this time, just so that people are like, oh, there’s still people that are really gay that are not dialing the dial back during this administration, that are not afraid to be themselves today.”
Grande also opened up on his recovery journey and said that his sister has supported him by attending 12-step meetings. “My family has come to meetings with me. My sister once at a meeting was so overwhelmed. It was one of my birthdays that she said, ‘I am bringing food next week for everybody.’ They asked for a volunteer to set up chairs and she said, ‘Me.’ Then they asked who could bring orange juice and she raised her hand again. Chairs and juice. Ariana Grande.”
As for Gilchrist, she launches the podcast after exiting her former post of vp of editorial and special projects at equalpride. Prior to that, she served as editor-in-chief at the brand’s top publication, The Advocate, where she also made history as the first feminism editor. Prior to Holding Space, she dipped her toes in the podcast space by launching the company’s first podcast, The Advocates. She also once served as entertainment correspondent for Out. During her time with The Advocate and Out, Gilchrist penned cover profiles of Erivo, Brandi Carlile, Leslie Jordan, Ariana DeBose, Cynthia Nixon, Harvey Guillen, Janelle Monáe and more.