There is no doubt that fans love being close to their favorite stars; however, this situation was very dangerous. A 26-year-old from Australia, known as Johnson Wen, ran toward Ariana Grande on the red carpet during the Wicked premiere at Universal Studios Singapore. Without consent, he crossed the boundaries and put his arm around her neck. The security personnel got him away immediately, but he still held onto her shoulder. Cynthia Erivo, the actress starring alongside Grande, quickly ran to the rescue and shielded her colleague with her body. Erivo later expressed that she acted on nothing but instinct to make sure Grande was safe.
This audacious act not only took Grande by surprise but also made her and, probably, the whole world very angry. However, Wen was not sorry at all, and, instead, he braggadocio about it afterwards. The incident took place amidst the buzz surrounding Wicked: For Good, which was scheduled to open in cinemas worldwide on November 21. Most importantly, it drew attention to the serious perils the stars’ over-fanatic admirers pose. On the other hand, the film's promo tour went on powerfully, though disrupted.
Legal Consequences and Deportation Details
Authorities responded swiftly to the assault. Singapore courts sentenced Wen to nine days in jail for causing a public nuisance. He served his time, but officials went further. The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority banned him from ever returning to the country. They deported him right after his release, as BBC News reported on November 23. On the flip side, this case sets a strong example for handling celebrity stalkers. Wen's actions violated personal boundaries and public safety rules.
Still, he faced real accountability in a nation known for strict laws. In comparison, lighter penalties elsewhere might not deter similar behavior. After all, Singapore prioritizes order, especially at big events like movie premieres. Irrespective of his nationality, Wen now deals with permanent exile from the city-state. Nonetheless, this outcome protects future visitors and stars alike.
Wen's History of Celebrity Intrusions
Wen has a troubling pattern of invading stars' space. He often shares videos online of crashing concerts and touching artists without consent. For instance, he targeted The Weeknd and The Chainsmokers in past stunts. This summer, police arrested him for similarly harassing Katy Perry. On the contrary, Grande stayed silent publicly about the ordeal. But her fans rallied in support, demanding better security at events.
In contrast, Wen kept boasting on social media, which fueled more backlash. Regardless, experts warn that such incidents harm the mental health of celebrities. Yet, they also push for improved protocols at red carpets worldwide. Above all, this story reminds everyone to respect boundaries. Nevertheless, it underscores the dark side of fame in today's connected world.
