Followers Urge Arrest of Person Who Touched Ariana Grande

Ariana Grande at Wicked premiere
Ariana Grande attended an event in Singapore for the international debut of Wicked: For Good

Passionate fans of Ariana Grande are calling for that a person who leaped a fence and touched the performer during yesterday's Wicked: For Good premiere be detained or removed from Singapore.

A widely shared video shows the person identified as Johnson Wen bypassing camera operators and charging at Grande while the actors proceeded down a event pathway flanked by onlookers.

Cast member Cynthia Erivo quickly guided the surprised actress away from Mr Wen, who was seen being escorted out of the gathering by security officers.

Mr Wen stated on Instagram Thursday evening that he was "released after being arrested", though official papers indicated that he was due to be present on the following morning. It is uncertain if he was charged.

History of Incidents

This is not the first time for Mr Wen, who describes himself as a "Notorious Troublemaker", has invaded a performance. His Instagram feed features recordings of him disturbing other celebrity events, including jumping on stage at the pop singer's Sydney concert in June this year and in a similar way during The Chainsmokers event in the area last December.

"Steps should be implemented taken against him as this is clearly a legal violation," wrote an Instagram commenter, in a message to a video Mr Wen uploaded of his act.

"You've done this repeatedly... how are you not behind bars?" a different Instagram user wrote.

Fans Express Concern Over Grande's Well-being

Several supporters criticized Mr Wen for "re-traumatising" Grande, who had revealed experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder after a devastating incident at the end of her May 2017 show in Manchester, claiming the lives of 22 people and wounding many.

"After everything she's faced... including the Manchester attack, you considered it entertaining to rush the barrier?" wrote a further message on Instagram.

A number of supporters also criticised guards at the Thursday event for not being adequately prepared; while some demanded online networks to block Mr Wen's content.

Response and Premiere Information

In clips shared widely, Grande appeared startled when she was grabbed by the intruder. Her fellow actors Michelle Yeoh and Erivo can be spotted reassuring her while Mr Wen was escorted away by staff.

Grande has not issued a statement on the situation, and the remaining proceedings continued without further issues.

Fans at Wicked premiere
Many of Singapore supporters had queued up to greet the cast of Wicked

Hundreds of fans had gathered in a mass of colorful attire at the Wicked: For Good regional launch in a Singapore shopping center, including some who had waited for as long as eight hours before it commenced.

The motion picture, to be launched on 21 November, is the follow-up of a dual interpretation of the popular stage show Wicked, which centers on the unexpected friendship between two contrasting characters.

The musical itself is a adaptation of the twentieth-century story The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

Grande, who acts as the character Glinda Glinda, was dressed in a champagne pink glittering gown at the gathering while Erivo, who portrays the villainous character, wore a sleek black dress featuring roses.

They were alongside fellow actor Jeff Goldblum.

The first movie, Wicked, was the highest-grossing movie of 2024 in the UK, and received 10 award recognitions, securing a pair for outstanding attire and artistic direction.

William Beltran
William Beltran

A passionate collector and writer specializing in gaming memorabilia and unique finds.