Fans Call for Arrest of Person Who Seized Ariana Grande
Passionate followers of the actress are urging that a person who jumped a barricade and touched the performer during Thursday's Wicked: For Good launch be taken into custody or deported from Singapore.
A circulating clip reveals the person identified as Johnson Wen bypassing media personnel and charging at Grande while the cast made its way down a yellow carpet accompanied by supporters.
Cast member Cynthia Erivo immediately wrested the surprised performer away from Mr Wen, who was observed being led away of the gathering by security officers.
Mr Wen stated on Instagram Thursday evening that he was "let go after being taken in", though court documents showed that he was due to attend court on Friday morning. It is not clear if he was formally accused.
Pattern of Disruptions
This is not an isolated incident for Mr Wen, who labels himself a "Controversial Figure", has crashed a performance. His Instagram account includes clips of him interrupting other high-profile occasions, including rushing the platform at the artist's Sydney performance in June this year and in a like fashion during The Chainsmokers event in the city last winter.
"Steps should be implemented taken against him as this is obviously a criminal offence," wrote an Instagram follower, in a response to a video Mr Wen shared of his actions.
"Oh wow so you do this a lot... how aren't you in jail?" a different Instagram user remarked.
Fans Voice Worry Over Ariana's Well-being
Numerous fans accused Mr Wen for "causing further distress" Grande, who had spoken of dealing with trauma-related anxiety after a devastating incident at the conclusion of her 2017 concert in Manchester, killing 22 people and injuring numerous individuals.
"The star has endured numerous terrifying experiences... including the Manchester tragedy, and you believed breaching security was amusing?" wrote a further comment on Instagram.
Several attendees also questioned event staff at the premiere for not being sufficiently alert; while different individuals requested social media platforms to remove Mr Wen's videos.
Aftermath and Premiere Information
In videos shared widely, Grande appeared shocked when she was touched by the man. Her cast members Michelle Yeoh and Erivo can be spotted comforting her while Mr Wen was led out by guards.
Grande has not issued a statement on the situation, and the premiere activities proceeded as normal.
Many of attendees had gathered in a sea of green and pink at the Wicked: For Good Asia-Pacific premiere in a Singapore venue, including a number who had stood in line for as long as a significant duration before it commenced.
The movie, to be premiered on 21 November, is the sequel of a dual interpretation of the acclaimed theatrical show Wicked, which revolves around the surprising relationship between two contrasting sorceresses.
The production itself is a derivative of the classic book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
Grande, who plays the benevolent sorceress Glinda, was adorned in a champagne pink glittering gown at the event while Erivo, who portrays the wicked witch, wore a elegant ensemble embroidered with roses.
They were accompanied by cast member Jeff Goldblum.
The first movie, Wicked, was the highest-grossing movie of 2024 in the UK, and scored ten Academy Award nods, winning several for outstanding attire and production design.