A red-carpet celebration for “Wicked: For Good” spiraled into a moment of chaos that shocked onlookers and set off a frenzy online.
A 26-year-old Australian fan, already known for disrupting celebrity events, stormed past security and grabbed Ariana Grande, leaving the singer visibly shaken.
Now, after a swift court process in Singapore, the man behind the incident is headed to jail, and the international spotlight has turned to the security breach that rattled one of pop’s most recognizable stars.
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Ariana Grande’s Premiere Appearance Takes A Frightening Turn
What should have been a glamorous evening escalated into an unexpected confrontation when Johnson Wen leapt over barricades at the Asia premiere for “Wicked: For Good.”
Videos across social media captured the moment Wen charged toward a stunned Ariana Grande, grabbing her shoulders as he jumped excitedly in front of her.
Fans quickly expressed outrage, especially as some noted that the encounter risked “re-traumatising” Grande, who has previously spoken about the post-traumatic stress she experienced after the 2017 Manchester bombing.
Court filings revealed that Wen actually attempted to breach the premiere twice.
After Grande’s co-star, Cynthia Erivo, forcibly pulled him away during the first attempt, security removed him from the area.
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Moments later, Wen tried again, only to be tackled and restrained by staff. Despite the disturbance, he posted videos afterward thanking Grande and claiming he was “free,” sparking further alarm from the public.
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Ariana Grande Chaos Lands Serial Intruder Behind Bars
The next day, Singapore police arrested Wen and charged him with being a public nuisance. He pleaded guilty.
The BBC reported that Prosecutors noted that Wen was no stranger to these stunts, calling him a “serial intruder” who often posted his disruptions to gain online attention.
His history includes interrupting concerts by Katy Perry and The Weeknd, as well as crashing sporting events.
Australian outlets reported that Wen has already been banned from several stadiums and has accumulated significant fines.
Without legal representation during the hearing, Wen told the judge he would “not do it again.”
However, the court still handed him a nine-day jail sentence, a punishment many Singapore residents viewed as overdue.
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Under the country’s strict public nuisance laws, Wen could have faced up to three months in prison or a fine of $1,537, or both.
Grande has not commented publicly on the incident, although she was later seen attending events in Los Angeles.
Erivo, however, seemed to reference the ordeal days later, remarking, “We have come through some stuff in our lives, our daily workings… even this last week, let’s be honest.”
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Grande’s Team Tightens Protection After Frightening Ambush
In the wake of the alarming incident, sources say Ariana Grande’s team is urgently reassessing her full security plan.
Although precautions have remained strict since the Manchester attack, the ambush underscored how exposed she can still be during major public appearances.
What shocked many was that Cynthia Erivo intervened before security reached Grande, prompting insiders to question whether her team had been caught off guard.
With more press events ahead, Grande’s team is reportedly boosting bodyguard numbers, limiting close fan interaction, and reinforcing perimeter safety measures.
A source told the Daily Mail that the goal is to help Grande “put this in the back of her mind” quickly so she can stay focused and feel protected while working.
A Troubling Pattern Sparks Debate Over Celebrity Safety
Wen’s outburst reignited discussions about the boundaries between fans and public figures, especially as celebrities frequently face physical intrusions.
Though the chaos has now led to legal consequences, the moment remains a stark reminder of the risks public figures face.
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Ariana Grande Opens Up About Her Trauma
Grande’s life was forever changed by the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing that killed 22 people during her concert.
Earlier this year, she opened up on The Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter podcast about the deep emotional impact the attack left on her.
“I was doing so much therapy, and I was dealing with PTSD and all different kinds of grief and depression and anxiety,” she said.
Grande added, “I was, of course, treating it very seriously, but having music be a part of that remedy was absolutely contributing to saving my life. They were dark times, and the music brought so much levity.”
Her honesty about the lingering trauma has fueled fans’ empathy, with many expressing worry that unexpected moments like this could resurface painful memories.

