A 26-year-old Australian, identified by local reports as Johnson Wen, has been charged after climbing past red-carpet barriers and attempting to embrace Ariana Grande at the Asia-Pacific premiere of Wicked: For Good in Singapore on Nov. 13, 2025. Video circulating online shows co-star Cynthia Erivo physically removing the man; Wen was briefly detained at the scene before being released to face legal proceedings. Singapore court documents list the charge as being a “public nuisance”; if convicted he faces up to three months’ imprisonment and a fine up to S$2,000 (about $1,540). The case is scheduled for further hearings when Wen is due to reappear in court on Monday.
Key Takeaways
- Defendant: 26-year-old Australian identified as Johnson Wen; active on Instagram under the handle Pyjamamann.
- Incident: Wen jumped red-carpet barricades and attempted to put his arm around Ariana Grande on Nov. 13, 2025, at the Wicked: For Good Asia-Pacific premiere in Singapore.
- Immediate response: Actress Cynthia Erivo intervened and removed the man; Wen was briefly detained by security.
- Charge and penalties: Official court paperwork lists the offense as “public nuisance” — punishable by up to three months’ jail and a fine of up to S$2,000 (≈ $1,540) if convicted.
- Pattern of behavior: Clips on Wen’s social feed show prior stage invasions at a Katy Perry show, a The Chainmakers concert and major sporting events including the 2023 FIFA World Cup Final.
- Victim context: Grande has publicly discussed surviving the May 22, 2017 Manchester suicide bombing, which killed 22 people and left many injured; she has not commented on the Singapore incident.
- Legal timetable: Wen was charged in local court and is due to reappear on the next scheduled court date, described in filings as Monday.
Background
High-profile film premieres and awards events routinely rely on close coordination between event organizers, local authorities and contracted security teams to keep red carpets controlled. Despite layered precautions, a small number of attendees have repeatedly breached barriers at live events in recent years, prompting renewed attention to crowd management and personal safety near celebrities. Singapore enforces public-order statutes that carry both fines and short custodial sentences for acts deemed to disrupt public order; courts there have in past cases prioritized deterrence when incidents involve risk to public safety.
Ariana Grande’s history as a target of aggressive fan behavior adds sensitivity to the episode. In 2017 the suicide bombing at her Manchester concert killed 22 people, and Grande has since said she experienced post-traumatic stress after that attack — a fact that has shaped public reactions to stunts that bring performers unexpectedly close to audience members. The accused’s apparent pattern of stage invasions at concerts and sporting events raises questions about motive, mental health and the adequacy of preventive measures at large gatherings.
Main Event
Multiple viral videos show the man scaling or vaulting over the red-carpet barriers and approaching Grande as she greeted press and attendees. The footage captures a brief, tense exchange in which co-star Cynthia Erivo quickly intervenes, pulling the man away and restoring physical separation. Event security detained the defendant briefly at the scene; witnesses and on-camera coverage indicate the interaction lasted only seconds before staff took control.
After the incident Wen posted to his Instagram account using the handle Pyjamamann, thanking Grande and the film in a message that framed the action as a stunt. Local media and court filings report he was subsequently charged with being a “public nuisance.” The charge appeared in court documents posted online on Friday and specifies the penalties available under Singapore law for such conduct.
Authorities say Wen faces up to three months in jail and a fine of up to S$2,000 (about $1,540) if convicted. According to the publicly available court schedule cited by local outlets, Wen is due to reappear in court on Monday. Grande has not issued a public statement about the incident as of the latest reports, and the film’s publicity team likewise has not released a comment.
Analysis & Implications
Security at red-carpet events balances accessibility for press and invited fans against the safety of talent and attendees; breaches like this expose vulnerabilities inherent in open, photo-focused arrivals. Even brief, nonviolent intrusions can carry outsized psychological effects for performers, particularly those who have experienced prior trauma. The quick physical intervention by a co-star reduced the immediate risk, but the episode will likely prompt venue operators and studios to reassess perimeter controls for high-profile premieres.
Legally, Singapore’s public-nuisance charge signals prosecutorial intent to treat the event as more than a simple trespass; the potential for jail time, even if short, functions as a deterrent in a jurisdiction known for strict enforcement of public-order offenses. Event organizers internationally may cite the case when tightening credential checks, increasing buffer zones, or expanding plainclothes security on red carpets and at fan-access moments.
Public reaction to the stunt also highlights a tension between viral-seeking behavior and personal safety. Social platforms can amplify attention for those who stage intrusions, which in turn can encourage copycats unless platforms, venues and law enforcement coordinate stronger consequences. For performers and production teams, the incident reinforces demand for clearer communication about boundaries and swifter incident protocols to protect talent from unexpected contact.
Comparison & Data
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Alleged prior invasions | Katy Perry show; The Chainmakers concert; 2023 FIFA World Cup Final (video evidence on social feed) |
| Charge in Singapore | “Public nuisance” — up to 3 months’ jail, up to S$2,000 fine |
| Notable related trauma | Manchester bombing, May 22, 2017 — 22 killed |
The table above summarizes the main factual points reported by local media and social posts. While Singapore’s fine and short custodial maximum are modest compared with long-term criminal sentences for violent offenses, the state’s willingness to press charges signals low tolerance for conduct that risks public safety or forces physical contact with entertainers.
Reactions & Quotes
“@arianagrande @wickedmovie Dear Ariana Grande Thank You for letting me Jump on the Yellow Carpet with You”
Instagram post by Pyjamamann (accused)
Wen’s social post framed the act as a grateful stunt; that post has drawn criticism online because it appears to treat a security breach as a moment of fan-access rather than a serious safety violation.
“Charged with being a ‘public nuisance'”
Singapore court documents (official)
Court filings used the statutory term to describe the offense and list the possible penalties. Local reporting of the filing provided the timeline and the court date for Wen’s next appearance.
Unconfirmed
- Motivation: The defendant’s precise motive for the intrusion beyond his social post has not been independently verified by authorities.
- Mental-health factors: There is no public record yet confirming any psychiatric evaluation or diagnosis for the accused.
- Additional charges: Reports so far cite the public-nuisance charge only; it remains unconfirmed whether prosecutors will pursue further counts pending investigation.
Bottom Line
The incident underscores how even brief, nonviolent breaches can trigger legal consequences and serious public backlash when they involve high-profile performers. Singapore’s decision to file a criminal charge rather than treating the incident solely as a private security matter illustrates a broader trend toward using legal penalties to deter red-carpet and stage invasions.
Watch for developments at the accused’s next court appearance and for any statements from Ariana Grande or the film’s producers. Event organizers and venues are likely to cite this case as justification for stepped-up security and clearer enforcement of boundaries at premieres and other fan-facing events.