A man who leapt over a barricade and grabbed actress Ariana Grande during the Wicked: For Good premiere in Singapore has been formally charged in court with being a public nuisance.
The incident, captured in a now-viral video, shows Australian national Johnson Wen rushing past photographers and lunging at Grande as the cast walked down the yellow carpet. Co-star Cynthia Erivo is seen pulling the shocked actress away from Wen as security moved in.
Wen, 26, claimed on Instagram late Thursday that he was “free after being arrested.” Hours later, he appeared in a Singapore courtroom and was charged. The incident sparked widespread anger across the city-state.
Local reports say Wen, who appeared without legal representation, intends to plead guilty.
This is not Wen’s first disruption at a public event. He refers to himself online as a “Troll Most Hated,” and his Instagram includes clips of him storming stages and interrupting performances — including jumping onstage at Katy Perry’s concert in Sydney earlier this year, and a similar intrusion during a Chainsmokers show last December.
If convicted, Wen faces a fine of up to S$2,000 (US$1,540; £1,170).
Fan reactions were swift and furious. Many called for Wen to be arrested, banned from events, or deported.
“There needs to be consequences — this is clearly a criminal act,” one Instagram user commented under Wen’s own video of the stunt.
Others questioned how he had not already been jailed, given his repeated behaviour. Several fans expressed concern for Grande, noting her history of trauma.
Grande has spoken openly about living with PTSD following the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, which killed 22 people and injured hundreds. Comments poured in accusing Wen of re-traumatising her:
“Ariana has survived so much… you thought it was ‘fun’ to jump a barricade toward her?” another user wrote.
Some fans also criticised the event’s security team for failing to stop Wen sooner, while others urged platforms like Instagram and TikTok to remove his videos to prevent encouraging copycat behaviour.
In clips circulating online, Grande looks visibly startled after being grabbed. Co-stars Michelle Yeoh and Cynthia Erivo can then be seen comforting her as security officers escort Wen away.
Grande has not released a statement, and the premiere continued as scheduled.
The BBC has contacted Singapore’s police and immigration authorities for further comment.
Hundreds of fans dressed in the signature green and pink colors of Wicked filled the mall for the Asia-Pacific premiere, with some waiting up to eight hours for a glimpse of the cast.
Grande, who portrays Glinda the Good Witch, wore a shimmering champagne-pink sequin gown, while Erivo, who plays Elphaba, appeared in a black rose-embroidered dress. Actor Jeff Goldblum, who stars as the Wizard, also attended.
The upcoming film, releasing 21 November, is the second part of the two-film adaptation of the iconic Broadway and West End musical Wicked, itself inspired by the 1900 classic The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
The first movie, Wicked, became the UK’s highest-grossing film of 2024 and earned 10 Oscar nominations, winning two for Best Costume Design and Best Production Design.
