Supporters Urge Detainment of Person Who Seized Ariana Grande

Ariana Grande at Wicked premiere
Ariana Grande attended an event in Singapore for the Asia-Pacific launch of Wicked: For Good

Loyal followers of Ariana Grande are calling for that a person who leaped a barricade and seized the performer during Thursday's Wicked: For Good premiere be arrested or expelled from Singapore.

A circulating video reveals the person identified as Johnson Wen shoving aside camera operators and charging at Grande while the cast made its way down a yellow carpet flanked by supporters.

Fellow actress Cynthia Erivo quickly guided the shocked star away from Mr Wen, who was seen being led away of the gathering by event staff.

Mr Wen posted on Instagram late on Thursday that he was "let go after being taken in", though court documents indicated that he was set to attend court on the next day. It is uncertain if he was charged.

History of Disruptions

This is part of a pattern for Mr Wen, who calls himself a "Notorious Troublemaker", has crashed a celebrity gathering. His Instagram profile contains clips of him interrupting other high-profile occasions, including jumping on stage at the artist's Sydney performance in recently and in a similar way during The Chainsmokers performance in the area last winter.

"Steps should be implemented enforced against him as this is obviously a legal violation," commented an Instagram user, in a response to a video Mr Wen shared of his actions.

"Oh wow so you do this a lot... how aren't you in jail?" a different Instagram user wrote.

Fans Voice Worry Over Grande's Past Trauma

Several followers accused Mr Wen for "triggering past anxiety" Grande, who had spoken of suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder after a terrorist explosion at the finale of her May 2017 concert in Manchester, killing 22 people and injuring many.

"The star has endured numerous terrifying experiences... including the Manchester tragedy, and you believed breaching security was amusing?" said one more response on Instagram.

A number of supporters also criticised event staff at the premiere for not being vigilant enough; while different individuals called for social media platforms to ban Mr Wen's content.

Reaction and Event Details

In clips shared widely, Grande seemed surprised when she was touched by the individual. Her fellow actors Michelle Yeoh and Erivo can be seen consoling her while Mr Wen was removed by security.

Grande has remained silent on the situation, and the premiere activities proceeded as normal.

Fans at Wicked premiere
Many of Singapore supporters had queued up to greet the cast of Wicked

Many of attendees had assembled in a mass of emerald and rose at the Wicked: For Good international premiere in a Singapore venue, including a number who had stood in line for as long as a significant duration before it started.

The movie, to be premiered on 21 November, is the follow-up of a dual version of the popular Broadway and West End production Wicked, which revolves around the surprising relationship between two distinct witches.

The musical itself is a spin-off of the classic story The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

Grande, who acts as the character Glinda Glinda, was dressed in a champagne pink sequin dress at the event while Erivo, who acts as the wicked witch, wore a black tube gown featuring roses.

They were joined by co-star Jeff Goldblum.

The previous installment, Wicked, was the highest-grossing film of 2024 in the UK, and received 10 Academy Award nods, securing a pair for best costume and artistic direction.

Stacey Fields
Stacey Fields

Elara is a published novelist and writing coach with a passion for helping aspiring authors find their unique voice and build engaging stories.