Followers Call for Custody of Person Who Seized Ariana Grande

Ariana Grande at Wicked premiere
Ariana Grande visited Singapore for the regional launch of Wicked: For Good

Passionate fans of the actress are demanding that a man who leaped a fence and grabbed the performer during Thursday's Wicked: For Good launch be taken into custody or removed from Singapore.

A widely shared clip shows the person identified as Johnson Wen shoving aside media personnel and charging at Grande while the cast made its way down a yellow carpet accompanied by fans.

Co-star Cynthia Erivo immediately guided the surprised star away from Mr Wen, who was observed being led away of the event by security officers.

Mr Wen posted on Instagram late on Thursday that he was "released after being taken in", though official papers revealed that he was scheduled to appear on the next day. It is unknown if he was formally accused.

History of Event Invasions

This is not an isolated incident for Mr Wen, who labels himself a "Controversial Figure", has invaded a celebrity gathering. His Instagram account includes clips of him interrupting other star-studded functions, including jumping on stage at Katy Perry's Sydney concert in earlier this year and in a similar way during The Chainsmokers event in the area last December.

"There needs to be action taken against him as this is clearly a criminal offence," commented an Instagram follower, in a message to a video Mr Wen posted of his act.

"You've done this repeatedly... how are you not behind bars?" a different Instagram user questioned.

Followers Show Disapproval Over Ariana's Safety

Several fans criticized Mr Wen for "re-traumatising" Grande, who had revealed suffering from PTSD after a terrorist explosion at the end of her May 2017 show in Manchester, killing 22 people and wounding hundreds.

"Ariana has been through so many scary things... and at her Manchester concert and you thought it would be fun to jump the barricade?" wrote one more message on Instagram.

Several attendees also criticised guards at the gathering for not being sufficiently alert; while different individuals demanded online networks to block Mr Wen's uploads.

Aftermath and Event Details

In footage spreading on the internet, Grande appeared surprised when she was touched by the intruder. Her co-stars Michelle Yeoh and Erivo can be observed consoling her while Mr Wen was escorted away by guards.

Grande has not issued a statement on the event, and the rest of the event continued without further issues.

Fans at Wicked premiere
Many of Singapore supporters had lined up to greet the actors of Wicked

Hundreds of attendees had gathered in a crowd of green and pink at the Wicked: For Good regional debut in a Singapore venue, including several who had queued for as long as many hours before it started.

The film, to be premiered on November 21, is the follow-up of a two-part version of the acclaimed theatrical production Wicked, which revolves around the unlikely friendship between two distinct characters.

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

Grande, who plays the good witch Glinda, was dressed in a rosé sparkling outfit at the gathering while Erivo, who acts as the Elphaba, wore a elegant ensemble featuring roses.

They were alongside fellow actor Jeff Goldblum.

The initial film, Wicked, was the highest-grossing movie of 2024 in the UK, and scored 10 Oscar nominations, winning two for best costume and artistic direction.

Stefanie Chavez
Stefanie Chavez

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