Followers Demand Arrest of Man Who Grabbed Ariana Grande

Ariana Grande at Wicked premiere
Ariana Grande attended an event in Singapore for the Asia-Pacific launch of Wicked: For Good

Loyal supporters of Ariana Grande are urging that a person who leaped a barrier and grabbed the performer during Thursday's Wicked: For Good launch be arrested or expelled from Singapore.

A circulating footage depicts the person identified as Johnson Wen shoving aside photographers and rushing toward Grande while the performers walked down a event pathway surrounded by fans.

Co-star Cynthia Erivo immediately pulled the stunned star away from Mr Wen, who was spotted being removed of the premiere by guards.

Mr Wen shared on Instagram Thursday evening that he was "let go after being arrested", though court documents revealed that he was due to be present on Friday morning. It is uncertain if he was formally accused.

History of Disruptions

This is not the first time for Mr Wen, who describes himself as a "Controversial Figure", has disrupted a performance. His Instagram account features clips of him disturbing other star-studded functions, including rushing the platform at the artist's Sydney concert in recently and in a similar way during The Chainsmokers performance in the city last winter.

"Steps should be implemented applied against him as this is evidently a legal violation," wrote an Instagram user, in a message to a video Mr Wen uploaded of his actions.

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

Followers Express Concern Over Grande's Safety

Several supporters blamed Mr Wen for "triggering past anxiety" Grande, who had spoken of dealing with trauma-related anxiety after a terrorist explosion at the end of her May 2017 performance in Manchester, resulting in the death of 22 people and injuring many.

"After everything she's faced... including the Manchester attack, you considered it entertaining to rush the barrier?" wrote one more comment on Instagram.

Several supporters also questioned event staff at the premiere for not being sufficiently alert; while some demanded online networks to ban Mr Wen's videos.

Response and Premiere Information

In videos circulating online, Grande appeared startled when she was touched by the individual. Her cast members 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 event, and the remaining proceedings carried on uninterrupted.

Fans at Wicked premiere
Hundreds of Singapore fans had waited to meet the actors of Wicked

Numerous of fans had gathered in a mass of emerald and rose at the Wicked: For Good regional premiere in a Singapore shopping center, including several who had stood in line for as long as many hours before it commenced.

The film, to be launched on the 21st of November, is the sequel of a dual adaptation of the popular stage show Wicked, which centers on the unlikely relationship between two distinct witches.

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

Grande, who plays the benevolent sorceress Glinda, was decked out in a champagne pink sparkling outfit at the event while Erivo, who portrays the Elphaba, wore a black tube gown featuring roses.

They were accompanied by cast member Jeff Goldblum.

The initial film, Wicked, was the most successful motion picture of 2024 in the UK, and scored ten Academy Award nods, earning several for excellent wardrobe and set decoration.

Pedro Vazquez
Pedro Vazquez

A digital strategist and front-end developer with over 8 years of experience, passionate about creating user-centric web solutions.