Ariana Grande Grabbed by Intruder at Singapore Premiere
A shocking incident unfolded at the Wicked: For Good Asia-Pacific premiere in Singapore when an Australian man, Johnson Wen, jumped over a barricade and grabbed superstar actress and singer Ariana Grande. The event, held on a yellow carpet at a Singapore mall, was immediately thrown into chaos as the 26-year-old intruder pushed past photographers to reach the terrified performer.
Chaotic Scene and Arrest
A viral video captured the moment Wen charged at Grande while the cast was greeting fans. Her co-star, Cynthia Erivo, who plays the wicked witch in the film, was seen bravely wrestling the stunned actress away from the assailant. Security personnel quickly intervened and escorted Wen away. Despite Wen posting on Instagram late on Thursday that he was "free after being arrested," the Singapore court formally charged him with being a public nuisance on Friday afternoon.
The incident caused massive outrage in the city-state. Local media reported that Wen, who was unrepresented in court, intends to plead guilty. If convicted, he faces a fine of up to S$2000 (approximately $1540).
A Pattern of Disruptive Behavior
This is not the first time Johnson Wen, who describes himself as a “Troll Most Hated,” has invaded a celebrity event. His Instagram feed is a portfolio of disruptions, including:
- Jumping on stage at Katy Perry’s Sydney concert in June this year.
- Disrupting a concert by The Chainsmokers last December.
Fans online expressed fury, calling for his arrest and deportation. Many highlighted how the act could re-traumatize Ariana Grande, who has spoken openly about experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after the deadly suicide bomb attack at her Manchester concert in May 2017, which killed 22 people.
In the circulating online clips, Grande appeared visibly shocked after the grab. Her co-stars, including Michelle Yeoh and Cynthia Erivo, were seen comforting her. The rest of the premiere event, which hundreds of fans had waited up to eight hours to attend, proceeded as planned. Grande has not publicly commented on the incident.
The BBC has contacted Singapore’s police and immigration authority for a statement. The movie, set for release on 21 November, is the second part of the adaptation of the popular Broadway musical. The first 'Wicked' film was the highest-grossing movie of 2024 in the UK and won two Oscars.
