Australian Man Deported After Ariana Grande Incident at Singapore Premiere
An Australian man was deported from Singapore after serving a nine-day jail sentence for an incident involving pop star Ariana Grande. Johnson Wen, who caused a disturbance at the premiere of “Wicked: For Good,” is now barred from re-entering the city-state.
Incident Details
The incident occurred on November 13, on the opening night of the much-anticipated sequel to “Wicked.” Wen jumped over a barricade and put his arm around Grande, shocking the singer. Viral video clips captured him smiling and waving to the crowd while interacting with her.
Response from Security
Grande’s co-star, Cynthia Erivo, quickly intervened to protect the singer. Security personnel promptly restrained Wen and removed him from the vicinity.
Legal Proceedings
Wen was arrested within hours of the incident. He was charged with “being a public nuisance” and later received his sentence from Singapore District Judge Christopher Goh. The judge described Wen as “attention seeking” and noted a pattern in his behavior that indicated he might repeat such actions in the future.
Jail Sentence
- Wen received a nine-day jail sentence.
- The maximum penalty for his offense could have been three months imprisonment and a fine of $1,500.
Aftermath and Impact
Despite the incident, the premiere proceeded as planned. Grande was supported by her cast as they continued down the yellow carpet. Wen later expressed regret, admitting he miscalculated the consequences of his actions.
Career of Ariana Grande
- Ariana Grande, 32, began her career as a teenager in Broadway.
- She has since achieved immense success in her pop career.
The Singaporean authorities have made it clear that Wen’s actions led to his immediate deportation, reflecting the city’s strict stance on public conduct. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting personal boundaries, particularly for public figures like Grande.