Singapore Deports Man Who Rushed Ariana Grande at “Wicked” Premiere
An Australian man, Johnson Wen, has been deported after a troubling incident involving pop star Ariana Grande at the Singapore premiere of “Wicked: For Good.” He completed a nine-day jail sentence and has been barred from re-entering Singapore, according to local immigration authorities.
Incident Details During the Premiere
The incident occurred during the highly anticipated opening night at Universal Studios in Singapore. Wen, 26, jumped a barricade and rushed toward Grande, putting his arm around her. This breach of security was captured in viral videos.
- Cynthia Erivo, Grande’s co-star, intervened quickly to protect the singer.
- Security personnel responded promptly and removed Wen from the scene.
Legal Consequences
Hours after the incident, Wen was arrested and charged with being a public nuisance. Singapore District Judge Christopher Goh called his behavior attention-seeking and noted that Wen exhibited a pattern of disruptive actions at previous global events.
Last week, a court sentenced him to nine days in jail, significantly less than the maximum possible penalty of three months in prison and a fine of $1,500. Wen expressed remorse in court, acknowledging that he was “wrong” to think his actions would have no repercussions.
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo’s Bond
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo have developed a close friendship during the promotional events for “Wicked: For Good.” In December 2024, Erivo mentioned in an interview that they had made a pact to support each other throughout the production, recognizing the challenges involved.
The premiere incident highlighted the importance of artist safety at public events, reminding attendees about the boundaries that should be respected.
