‘Wicked’: Man Who Grabbed Ariana Grande on Singapore Red Carpet Charged in Court

During the Singapore premiere of "Wicked: For Good," a 26-year-old Australian man named Johnson Wen was formally charged with public nuisance after leaping over a barricade and rushing toward pop superstar Ariana Grande. Video from the event shows Cynthia Erivo, Grande's co-star in the forthcoming two-part musical film, immediately intervening to shield her from the approaching individual.

Wen, who uses the Instagram handle "Pyjama Man," has cultivated an online persona centered on his repeated attempts to infiltrate high-profile celebrity gatherings. His social media history includes multiple posts documenting efforts to bypass security at events featuring major artists like Katy Perry, The Weeknd, and The Chainsmokers. Following his arrest, Wen posted on his Instagram story that he had been released, a statement that quickly drew sharp criticism from other users.

Public anger grew when he shared—and later removed—a post with the caption, "Dear Ariana Grande Thank You for letting me Jump on the Yellow Carpet with You." The comment section was flooded with demands for legal action, with one person writing, "There needs to be an action done against him as this is clearly a criminal offense." Security specialist David Chen noted, "Individuals who repeatedly attempt these breaches often identify weak points in perimeter controls, highlighting the need for more dynamic security planning at red-carpet events." This pattern of behavior points to ongoing challenges in protecting public figures at heavily attended functions.

Singapore maintains strict public order laws, and a public nuisance conviction can carry a fine of up to S$2,000 (approximately $1,540 USD). Local media indicate Wen intends to plead guilty. Although first-time offenders typically face monetary penalties, repeated infractions may lead to more severe consequences, including potential jail time.

Grande and the "Wicked" cast have proceeded with their international promotional schedule, which concludes with a New York event this Monday. The film adapts the beloved Broadway musical "Wicked," which first opened in 2003 and has since become one of the highest-grossing stage productions in history, earning over $1 billion worldwide. The movie's release on November 21 is eagerly awaited by longtime theater enthusiasts and new audiences alike, promising to bring the backstory of Glinda and Elphaba to the big screen.