An Australian man has been deported from Singapore after rushing toward film star Ariana Grande during the premiere of Wicked: For Good. The incident occurred on March 15, 2024, at Universal Studios, where Grande and her co-stars were attending the highly anticipated opening night.
Johnson Wen, 26, jumped a barricade and approached Grande, putting his arm around her. Security footage captured the moment when Grande’s co-star, Cynthia Erivo, quickly intervened, stepping between the two and pushing Wen away. Security personnel swiftly removed Wen from the scene, returning him over the barricade.
Wen was arrested shortly after the incident and charged with being a public nuisance. Following a brief court appearance, he was sentenced to nine days in jail by Singapore District Judge Christopher Goh. Upon completing his sentence, Wen was deported back to Australia and banned from re-entering Singapore, as confirmed by the city-state’s immigration authority.
Judge Goh described Wen as “attention seeking,” noting a pattern of disruptive behavior that suggested he might repeat such actions in the future. The maximum penalty for his offense could have included three months in jail, a fine of $1,500, or both. During court proceedings, Wen acknowledged that he was “wrong” to believe his actions would have no consequences, expressing remorse and a promise not to repeat the behavior.
After the incident, Wen posted a video on Instagram where he thanked Grande for allowing him to “jump on the Yellow Carpet” with her. This remark has stirred further discussions regarding his motivations during the incident.
The premiere of Wicked: For Good marked a significant event in the film industry, with Grande and Erivo sharing a strong bond throughout the promotional tour. In December 2024, Erivo mentioned in an interview with CBS Mornings that the pair made a pact early in production to support each other, emphasizing the importance of their collaboration on the film.
As the film continues to receive attention, the incident involving Wen serves as a reminder of the potential risks associated with celebrity events and the need for strict security measures.
