An Australian man who jumped a barricade and grabbed Ariana Grande at the Wicked: For Good Asia-Pacific premiere in Singapore has been charged with being a public nuisance.
The 26-year-old, identified as Johnson Wen, was caught on video pushing past photographers and lunging at Grande while the cast walked down a yellow carpet surrounded by fans. Co-star Cynthia Erivo can be seen intervening to protect the singer.
Wen had posted on Instagram claiming he was “free after being arrested,” but a Singapore court charged him on Friday. Local reports indicate he will represent himself and intends to plead guilty.
This is not Wen’s first high-profile disruption. His social media showcases previous incidents, including jumping on stage at Katy Perry’s Sydney concert in June and disrupting a The Chainsmokers concert last December.
If convicted, Wen could face a fine of up to S$2,000 ($1,540; £1,170). The incident has drawn widespread criticism online, with fans condemning both Wen’s actions and security measures at the event. Many highlighted that Ariana Grande had previously survived a terror attack at her 2017 Manchester concert, calling the stunt “re-traumatizing.”
Despite the chaos, Grande, who plays Glinda in the film adaptation, remained composed, and the event continued as planned. Other cast members, including Michelle Yeoh, Cynthia Erivo, and Jeff Goldblum, were seen comforting her after the incident.
The premiere attracted hundreds of Singaporean fans, some of whom queued for over eight hours to meet the cast. Wicked: For Good, the second part of the musical’s film adaptation, is scheduled for release on 21 November. The first movie, Wicked, was the UK’s highest-grossing film of 2024 and won two Oscars for costume and production design.
