Ariana Grande attacked by fan at Singapore wicked: For good premiere—Cynthia Erivo steps in to protect her

A shocking moment unfolded at the Singapore premiere of Wicked: For Good when an overzealous fan leaped over barricades and grabbed pop superstar Ariana Grande. The incident, which quickly went viral on social media, occurred as Grande, alongside co-stars Cynthia Erivo and Michelle Yeoh, made her way down the yellow carpet during the star-studded event.

Videos circulating online captured the tense scene: the 26-year-old Australian man, identified as Johnson Wen, pushed past photographers and lunged at Grande. Erivo, who plays the Wicked Witch in the musical adaptation, immediately moved into protective mode, pulling Grande away as security escorted Wen from the area. Yeoh was also seen comforting Grande, helping the singer recover from the unexpected encounter.

Wen later shared the incident on Instagram, referring to himself as “free after being arrested” and maintaining that he was thrilled by the encounter. Operating under the social media handle “Pyjama Man,” Wen has a history of crashing events, including a Katy Perry concert in Sydney earlier this year and a Chainsmokers show in December.

On Friday, Singapore authorities formally charged Wen with being a public nuisance. Court reports indicate that the 26-year-old, currently unrepresented, intends to plead guilty. If convicted, he could face a fine of up to S$2,000 (approximately $1,540 or £1,170). The episode sparked outrage among fans, some of whom called for stricter security measures and even Wen’s deportation.

Social media reactions were swift and empathetic toward Grande. Many reminded the public of the singer’s past trauma, particularly the 2017 Manchester concert bombing that claimed 22 lives and left hundreds injured. Some commenters accused Wen of retraumatizing Grande, highlighting the singer’s openness about her struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder following the attack.

“It’s shocking that someone would think this is acceptable behavior given everything Ariana has endured,” one fan wrote. Others criticized the event’s security team for not preventing the incident, while calls circulated online for Wen’s social media accounts to be banned.

Despite the disruption, Grande and her co-stars continued with the premiere. Grande, dressed in a sparkling champagne-pink gown as Glinda, and Erivo, in a black rose-embroidered tube dress as the Wicked Witch, maintained professionalism on the carpet. Fans had lined up for hours to catch a glimpse of the stars, and the atmosphere of excitement remained largely intact. Jeff Goldblum, who portrays the Wizard, was also present at the premiere, which is part of a two-film adaptation of the beloved musical.

The first film, Wicked, became the highest-grossing movie of 2024 in the UK, earning ten Oscar nominations and winning two for Best Costume and Production Design. Wicked: For Good is slated for release on 21 November and continues the story of the unlikely friendship between two contrasting witches, drawn from the 1900 children’s novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

Grande and Erivo’s camaraderie during the incident was widely praised. Fans noted the protective and instinctive response Erivo displayed, emphasizing the strong bond the actresses have developed while working together. The duo has previously spoken about their mutual understanding and support throughout the filming process, a relationship that proved crucial in moments like the Singapore premiere.

This event serves as a stark reminder of the need for vigilant security at public appearances and the potential dangers posed by overzealous fans. While Wen faces legal consequences, the incident underscores the importance of safeguarding performers from physical and emotional harm, particularly those with past traumatic experiences.

FAQ

Q1: Who was involved in the incident at the Wicked premiere in Singapore?
A1: Ariana Grande was the target of the incident, with Cynthia Erivo and Michelle Yeoh intervening to protect her.

Q2: What charges does Johnson Wen face?
A2: Wen has been charged with being a public nuisance by Singapore authorities.

Q3: What is Johnson Wen’s social media handle?
A3: He posts under the Instagram handle “Pyjama Man.”

Q4: Has Ariana Grande commented on the incident?
A4: As of now, Grande has not publicly commented on the incident.

Q5: When is Wicked: For Good set to release?
A5: The movie will premiere on 21 November.