Fans Call for Custody of Person Who Grabbed Ariana Grande

Ariana Grande at Wicked premiere
Ariana Grande was in Singapore for the international premiere of Wicked: For Good

Passionate supporters of the actress are calling for that a man who breached a barricade and touched the performer during Thursday's Wicked: For Good launch be arrested or expelled from Singapore.

A widely shared footage reveals the person identified as Johnson Wen shoving aside media personnel and charging at Grande while the cast proceeded down a event pathway flanked by onlookers.

Cast member Cynthia Erivo quickly wrested the surprised actress away from Mr Wen, who was spotted being removed of the gathering by security officers.

Mr Wen stated on Instagram Thursday evening that he was "let go after being arrested", though official papers revealed that he was scheduled to appear on the next day. It is unknown if he was charged.

Pattern of Disruptions

This is not the first time for Mr Wen, who labels himself a "Notorious Troublemaker", has invaded a concert or event. His Instagram account includes recordings of him interrupting other star-studded functions, including rushing the platform at Katy Perry's Sydney concert in earlier this year and in a comparable manner during The Chainsmokers performance in the area last year.

"Measures must be taken taken against him as this is evidently a legal violation," stated an Instagram follower, in a response to a video Mr Wen uploaded of his act.

"This appears to be a habit... why are you not imprisoned?" a different Instagram user remarked.

Supporters Voice Worry Over Ariana's Safety

Many supporters criticized Mr Wen for "triggering past anxiety" Grande, who had revealed experiencing PTSD after a devastating incident at the conclusion of her May 2017 concert in Manchester, killing 22 people and harming many.

"The star has endured numerous terrifying experiences... including the Manchester tragedy, and you believed breaching security was amusing?" said one more comment on Instagram.

Some fans also faulted event staff at the Thursday event for not being vigilant enough; while others requested online networks to block Mr Wen's uploads.

Response and Premiere Information

In footage shared widely, Grande looked shocked when she was approached by the intruder. Her co-stars Michelle Yeoh and Erivo can be spotted consoling her while Mr Wen was removed by security.

Grande has not issued a statement on the incident, and the rest of the event carried on uninterrupted.

Fans at Wicked premiere
Many of Singapore attendees had queued up to greet the cast of Wicked

Hundreds of attendees had congregated in a sea of emerald and rose at the Wicked: For Good regional debut in a Singapore venue, including several who had stood in line for as long as many hours before it began.

The motion picture, to be premiered on 21 November, is the second of a dual version of the acclaimed theatrical production Wicked, which revolves around the surprising friendship between two contrasting witches.

The show itself is a adaptation of the classic children's novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

Grande, who acts as the character Glinda Glinda, was dressed in a rosé sequin dress at the event while Erivo, who portrays the Elphaba, wore a sleek black dress decorated with roses.

They were joined by co-star Jeff Goldblum.

The previous installment, Wicked, was the most successful movie of 2024 in the UK, and scored a dozen Oscar nominations, earning several for best costume and set decoration.

Michael Williams
Michael Williams

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