A Singapore court has sentenced Johnson Wen, a 26-year-old man from Australia, to nine days in prison following an incident at the Asia premiere of “Wicked: For Good,” where he aggressively approached and grabbed the renowned actress and singer Ariana Grande. The incident, which took place last Thursday, sparked significant backlash in Singapore, particularly due to Wen’s previous history of disrupting high-profile events.
Video footage shared on social media captured the moment Wen jumped over the barriers and confronted Grande, who appeared visibly shocked. Witnesses noted that he grabbed her shoulders while jumping excitedly, prompting her co-star Cynthia Erivo to intervene and forcibly remove him. Security personnel subsequently escorted Wen out of the venue, but he attempted to breach the barricades once more, leading to his eventual arrest the following day.
During the court proceedings, prosecutors described Wen as a “serial intruder,” highlighting his tendency to stage disruptions at concerts and sporting events in order to gain notoriety on social media. He has previously been fined and banned from multiple venues due to similar behavior involving other celebrities like Katy Perry and The Weeknd. While Wen pleaded guilty to public nuisance charges, he argued in court that he would refrain from repeating such actions in the future.
Notably, Ariana Grande has shared her struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder following a tragic bombing at her 2017 concert in Manchester, which left 22 people dead and hundreds injured. Many commentators voiced concerns that Wen’s actions could be seen as “re-traumatizing” for Grande.
While Grande has remained silent publicly regarding this incident, she participated in other events in Los Angeles over the weekend. Erivo, in a reflective statement, alluded to the events of the past week while expressing her bond with Grande and their ability to navigate challenges together.
This legal outcome not only highlights the seriousness with which Singapore addresses public disturbances but also serves as a reminder of the potential impact disruptive actions can have on individuals, particularly those with past traumas. As the legal system imposes consequences for such behavior, it underlines the importance of mutual respect during public appearances, not just for celebrities but for all individuals in the public eye.