Keke Palmer Just Explained "Defying Gravity," And It's So Hilarious I Spit Out My Water

Unless you were a theater kid over the last 20 years, you're probably surprised that Wicked still has the internet in a chokehold almost two months after it came out in theaters.

A scene from the Wicked movie

This week, Keke Palmer is to blame after more than 7 million people watched her share what the movie's famous song "Defying Gravity" means to her while she was on a press tour for her new movie One of Them Days.

TikTok: @mtv / Via tiktok.com

Palmer sat down for an interview with MTV beside her costar SZA, and the movie's producer Issa Rae.

"Uh-aaahh-uh-aaahhahhhahhh!!" Palmer mimicked Elphaba's infamous "Defying Gravity" run before looking into the camera and saying, "That's a slave hymn."

Person gesturing while speaking, dressed in a stylish black top. Text on image: "That's a slave hymn."
TikTok: @mtv / Via tiktok.com

*Physical representation of shocked and appalled*

Two people sit on a couch laughing. One wears a plaid skirt and blouse, the other a shimmering dress
TikTok: @mtv / Via tiktok.com

"Come on! When she got up there and she told those people! Y'all, it is really good," she exclaimed.

Person speaking animatedly, wearing a black top with bold earrings, sitting on a colorful sofa. Subtitles on the image read: "Come on!"
TikTok: @mtv / Via tiktok.com

Her costar SZA simply could not recover. "A slave hymn is so…" *Deep sigh*

Two people sit with hands covering their faces; text reads "Cannot compute." One wears a sweater, the other a glittery dress
TikTok: @mtv / Via tiktok.com

"Y'all know I ain't lying," Palmer continued.

Three people on a colorful couch are laughing and covering their faces. Text reads: "Y'all know I ain't lying."
TikTok: @mtv / Via tiktok.com

Then, the video showed the moments before the hilarious exchange. "You have got to save space for the lyrics of 'Defying Gravity'," Palmer said. "From Wicked?" SZA asked. "From Wicked," Palmer confirmed.

Person with long hair in a black top and large earrings talks; text reads "save space for the lyrics of"
TikTok: @mtv / Via tiktok.com

"That — it makes me feel like you can’t stop me! No one is gonna bring me down!" she professed.

Two women sit joyfully. One wears a beige sweater dress; the other, a black top. Text below reads, "No one is going to bring me down."
TikTok: @mtv / Via tiktok.com

In the comments, people validated Keke's interpretation of the song. "It felt like I caught the spirit during defying gravity lol so yuppp definitely a hymm! Lol"

  TikTok: @mtv / Via tiktok.com
TikTok: @mtv / Via tiktok.com

"SLAVE HYMN IS WILDDDDD but also the best description," this person confirmed.

  TikTok: @mtv / Via tiktok.com
TikTok: @mtv / Via tiktok.com

"HOLDING SPACE FOR THIS RN," this person joked.

  TikTok: @mtv / Via tiktok.com
TikTok: @mtv / Via tiktok.com

Other people couldn't help but crack up at SZA and Issa Rae losing it. "sza & issa were so done w her," this person noticed.

  TikTok: @mtv / Via tiktok.com
TikTok: @mtv / Via tiktok.com

"this is my dream blunt rotation actually," this person said.

  TikTok: @mtv / Via tiktok.com
TikTok: @mtv / Via tiktok.com

And finally, this person just wants to know when Wicked actress Cynthia Erivo will see the clip. "Where is Cynthia with the reaction video?!!" they asked.

  TikTok: @mtv / Via tiktok.com
TikTok: @mtv / Via tiktok.com

One of Them Days is out in theaters on Friday, Jan. 17.

What does "Defying Gravity" mean to you? Let us know in the comments!