Followers Urge Detainment of Man Who Grabbed Ariana Grande
Loyal followers of the actress are demanding that a man who leaped a barricade and touched the actress during yesterday's Wicked: For Good launch be detained or deported from Singapore.
A circulating footage depicts the person identified as Johnson Wen shoving aside photographers and rushing toward Grande while the cast walked down a promenade accompanied by supporters.
Fellow actress Cynthia Erivo promptly wrested the surprised star away from Mr Wen, who was observed being led away of the premiere by event staff.
Mr Wen shared on Instagram recently that he was "released after being arrested", though court documents showed that he was set to appear on the next day. It is uncertain if he was charged.
History of Incidents
This is part of a pattern for Mr Wen, who calls himself a "Controversial Figure", has disrupted a performance. His Instagram profile includes clips of him disturbing other star-studded functions, including rushing the platform at the artist's Sydney concert in recently and in a like fashion during The Chainsmokers performance in the same location last year.
"Steps should be implemented applied against him as this is clearly a punishable act," commented an Instagram follower, in a response to a video Mr Wen posted of his actions.
"This appears to be a habit... why are you not imprisoned?" another Instagram user wrote.
Supporters Voice Worry Over Grande's Well-being
Several fans blamed Mr Wen for "triggering past anxiety" Grande, who had spoken of experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder after a devastating incident at the end of her spring 2017 performance in Manchester, killing 22 people and injuring many.
"The star has endured numerous terrifying experiences... including the Manchester tragedy, and you believed breaching security was amusing?" commented a further response on Instagram.
Several supporters also criticised security officers at the premiere for not being adequately prepared; while some requested digital services to ban Mr Wen's uploads.
Aftermath and Premiere Information
In videos circulating online, Grande looked startled when she was grabbed by the intruder. Her cast members Michelle Yeoh and Erivo can be observed comforting her while Mr Wen was escorted away by security.
Grande has not commented on the event, and the rest of the event continued without further issues.
Many of attendees had assembled in a crowd of colorful attire at the Wicked: For Good regional launch in a Singapore mall, including several who had queued for as long as eight hours before it started.
The film, to be released on 21 November, is the second of a two-part adaptation of the well-known Broadway and West End show Wicked, which focuses on the unlikely friendship between two very different sorceresses.
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 decked out in a champagne pink sparkling outfit at the premiere while Erivo, who plays the villainous character, wore a elegant ensemble featuring roses.
They were alongside fellow actor Jeff Goldblum.
The previous installment, Wicked, was the most successful film of 2024 in the UK, and earned ten award recognitions, winning several for outstanding attire and set decoration.