Supporters Demand Arrest of Individual Who Seized Ariana Grande
Loyal fans of the pop star are urging that a man who jumped a barrier and grabbed the performer during yesterday's Wicked: For Good premiere be arrested or expelled from Singapore.
A widely shared footage shows the person identified as Johnson Wen shoving aside photographers and rushing toward Grande while the performers made its way down a yellow carpet flanked by fans.
Fellow actress Cynthia Erivo promptly wrested the surprised performer away from Mr Wen, who was spotted being escorted out of the premiere by security officers.
Mr Wen stated on Instagram recently that he was "released after being arrested", though legal records showed that he was set to appear on Friday morning. It is uncertain if he was charged.
Record of Event Invasions
This is not the first time for Mr Wen, who calls himself a "Controversial Figure", has disrupted a concert or event. His Instagram account features recordings of him interrupting other celebrity events, including breaching the performance area at Katy Perry's Sydney concert in earlier this year and in a like fashion during The Chainsmokers performance in the same location last year.
"There needs to be action applied against him as this is obviously a legal violation," wrote an Instagram user, in a message to a video Mr Wen uploaded of his actions.
"You've done this repeatedly... how are you not behind bars?" one Instagram user remarked.
Fans Express Concern Over the Star's Well-being
Numerous supporters accused Mr Wen for "triggering past anxiety" Grande, who had spoken of suffering from trauma-related anxiety after a devastating incident at the finale of her May 2017 concert in Manchester, killing 22 people and harming many.
"After everything she's faced... including the Manchester attack, you considered it entertaining to rush the barrier?" said one more message on Instagram.
A number of attendees also questioned event staff at the premiere for not being adequately prepared; while different individuals requested digital services to remove Mr Wen's videos.
Reaction and Premiere Information
In videos spreading on the internet, Grande appeared startled when she was touched by the man. Her fellow actors Michelle Yeoh and Erivo can be spotted comforting her while Mr Wen was escorted away by guards.
Grande has not issued a statement on the incident, and the remaining proceedings carried on uninterrupted.
Many of fans had congregated in a sea of colorful attire at the Wicked: For Good Asia-Pacific debut in a Singapore venue, including some who had stood in line for as long as a significant duration before it started.
The motion picture, to be launched on November 21, is the sequel of a two-part version of the popular stage musical Wicked, which focuses on the unlikely friendship between two very different characters.
The show itself is a adaptation of the classic book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
Grande, who acts as the benevolent sorceress Glinda, was decked out in a light pink glittering gown at the event while Erivo, who plays the villainous character, wore a sleek black dress featuring roses.
They were alongside co-star Jeff Goldblum.
The previous installment, Wicked, was the top-earning film of 2024 in the UK, and received 10 Oscar nominations, winning two for outstanding attire and set decoration.