What was supposed to be a night of happiness, art, and the world looking forward to ‘Wicked: For Good’, suddenly turned into a moment of fear and emotional shock for Ariana Grande and those around her. What should have been a glamorous premiere in Singapore became an unexpected reminder of how quickly celebration can shift into chaos.
A security lapse happened last week when 26-year-old Johnson Wen jumped over the barricades and cameras and grabbed Ariana Grande by the shoulders. It shocked the singer and all those in attendance. The whole event was filmed, and it went viral on social media in a few minutes, causing outrage around the world. However, the government has now taken action, and the man responsible has been sentenced.
Ariana Grande’s Red-Carpet Attack
The perpetrator, Johnson Wen, was found guilty of causing a public nuisance and sentenced to nine days in prison, according to BBC News. Although the Singaporean law permits up to three months in jail or a fine of up to $2,000, prosecutors drove a definite story. Wen is not an innocent fan. He is, in fact, a repeated intruder, with a history of storming stages and interrupting events involving multiple major celebrities, including Katy Perry and The Weeknd.
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This was not a one-time event; it was a pattern. Videos of witnesses depict Wen climbing the barricade between fans and cast members, leaping towards Grande, and grabbing her before being stopped. Her co-star, Cynthia Erivo, instantly intervened between them in an act of instinct and protection in a split second. Security was quick to attack Wen as he tried a second jump, and he held him to the ground.
Wen, surprisingly, later shared an Instagram Story saying he was free after being arrested. This caused even more outrage on the internet, particularly among fans who still recall the tragic bombing of the Manchester arena in 2017 that claimed the lives of 22 people and injured 116 others during one of her concerts. To a person who has already experienced trauma in the public space, this was terrifying. Grande herself has not made a statement.
“We’ve Come Through Some Stuff”: Cynthia Erivo Spoke Out After The Incident
Cynthia Erivo eventually spoke out about the incident days after the incident, at a SAG screening. Her voice was sincere, heartfelt, and uncompromising, not only to narrate the attack but also to contextualize the deep bond she and Grande have built. Addressing the audience, Erivo stated: “We have come through some s**t. We have come through some stuff in our lives, in our daily workings. Even this last week, let’s be honest. For f***’s sakes, we’ve had to really deal with some stuff. And this movie has allowed us to really grow as people, as friends, as sisters.”
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Her words resonated as a woman who fiercely protected her friend during a moment of danger. The reflection by Erivo made people remember that behind the glitter of premieres and the spectacle of Hollywood, these performers are people. They feel fear. They feel protective, and they rely on each other. The other cast member, Marissa Bode, responded even more directly to the defenders of the attacker on TikTok.
In response to those who called Wen a fan, she replied: “But they’re a fan!’ Okay. Then they’re a fan and a loser.” Bode continued, calling out social media culture for glorifying disruptive stunts: “You made somebody feel incredibly unsafe… no remorse. You’re a bad person.” Her point was obvious: obsession is not fandom, and dangerous conduct cannot be justified by the name of admiration.
