Ariana Grande experienced a frightening breach of security at the Wicked: For Good premiere in Singapore on Thursday, November 13, when a man rushed the red carpet and grabbed the pop star in front of fans, photographers, and her costars. The chaotic moment briefly halted the event as security intervened and escorted the individual away.
BBC News reports the man has been identified as 26-year-old Australian Johnson Wen, who has since been charged in Singapore court with being a public nuisance. Viral video from the premiere shows Wen vaulting a barricade and lunging toward Grande as Cynthia Erivo immediately stepped in, positioning herself between Grande and the intruder while guards pulled him back.
As the cast gathered for photos, witnesses say Grande appeared visibly shaken following the encounter, taking several deep breaths while Erivo and Michelle Yeoh comforted her. Jeff Goldblum, who was also on the carpet, looked on as the tense scene unfolded before order was restored and the premiere resumed.
The Suspect’s Social Media Trail And Charge
Wen, who goes by ‘Pyjama Man’ online, has developed a reputation for attempting to get close to celebrities at public events. He frequently posts videos of himself crashing premieres and concerts, and has previously targeted shows by Katy Perry, The Weeknd, and The Chainsmokers. The pattern was evident again in Singapore, where his leap onto the carpet quickly ricocheted across social media.
Shortly after the incident, Wen posted on Instagram that he was ‘free after being arrested,’ sharing a clip from the premiere alongside a caption addressed to Grande: ‘Dear Ariana Grande Thank You for letting me Jump on the Yellow Carpet with You.’ The post drew immediate backlash from commenters condemning the behavior and calling for consequences. ‘Oh wow so you do this a lot… how aren’t you in jail?’ one user wrote, while another added, ‘There needs to be an action done against him as this is clearly a criminal offense.’
According to BBC News, Wen faces a charge of public nuisance in Singapore, which carries a fine of up to S$2,000 (about $1,540) if convicted. Local outlets report he intends to plead guilty. Authorities have not publicly detailed any additional charges connected to the breach.
Security Response On The Carpet
The footage of Erivo quickly shielding her costar underscored the cast’s poise under pressure, and the rapid response from security helped prevent the situation from escalating further. While high-profile premieres typically deploy extensive safety measures, Thursday’s breach highlights how fast a red carpet can be disrupted by a determined individual — and how critical immediate, coordinated action is to protect talent and attendees.
Grande, who stars as Glinda in the upcoming musical film, had been posing with Erivo, Yeoh, and Goldblum when the disruption occurred. The cast regrouped afterward, with Erivo and Yeoh seen offering words of reassurance as Grande gathered herself before continuing with the event.
Why The Incident Resonated With Fans
The moment struck a chord with fans aware of Grande’s history with public trauma. The singer has spoken candidly about living with PTSD and anxiety following the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, which killed 22 people during her concert. In a 2018 interview with British Vogue, she reflected on the enduring impact: ‘Yeah, it’s a real thing. I know those families and my fans, and everyone there experienced a tremendous amount of it as well. It’s hard to talk about because so many people have suffered such severe, tremendous loss … I don’t think I’ll ever know how to talk about it and not cry.’
Grande has also described the ongoing reality of anxiety, quipping, ‘I think a lot of people have anxiety, especially right now … My anxiety has anxiety.’ With that context, Thursday’s breach prompted a wave of online support and concern, as fans urged stronger safeguards at public events and praised Erivo for her quick, protective response.
The Singapore premiere is part of the rollout for Wicked: For Good, with Grande and Erivo leading the cast in a new screen chapter for the beloved musical. Their off-screen bond — seen both in promo appearances and in the seconds following the incident — stood out as one of the night’s most widely shared takeaways.
Red Carpet Safety Under Scrutiny
High-visibility incidents like this often reignite discussion around security at premieres and fan events, particularly as social media clout-chasing can incentivize risky stunts. While access and excitement are integral to red carpets, organizers regularly reassess procedures to balance crowd engagement with safety, especially when talent with a history of targeted trauma is in attendance.
For now, the legal process in Singapore moves forward. As reported, Wen’s public nuisance charge carries a maximum fine and no jail time, though the court’s final determination remains pending. Online, the response has been clear: fans and onlookers alike condemned the breach, voiced support for Grande, and applauded the swift intervention that helped defuse a scary situation on what should have been a celebratory night.
Screen Rant will continue to follow developments surrounding the incident and the ongoing Wicked: For Good promotional tour.
