Fans Demand Arrest of Individual Who Touched Ariana Grande
Passionate supporters of the pop star are urging that a person who jumped a barricade and touched the actress during the recent Wicked: For Good debut be arrested or expelled from Singapore.
A widely shared video shows the person identified as Johnson Wen shoving aside photographers and rushing toward Grande while the cast made its way down a promenade flanked by fans.
Co-star Cynthia Erivo promptly wrested the surprised actress away from Mr Wen, who was seen being escorted out of the premiere by security officers.
Mr Wen posted on Instagram recently that he was "let go after being taken in", though official papers indicated that he was set to appear on the following morning. It is not clear if he was formally accused.
History of Disruptions
This is part of a pattern for Mr Wen, who describes himself as a "Controversial Figure", has invaded a performance. His Instagram account includes recordings of him disrupting other star-studded functions, including jumping on stage at the artist's Sydney concert in recently and in a comparable manner during The Chainsmokers performance in the city last winter.
"There needs to be action taken against him as this is clearly a criminal offence," commented an Instagram commenter, in a response to a video Mr Wen posted of his actions.
"You've done this repeatedly... how are you not behind bars?" another Instagram user questioned.
Followers Voice Worry Over Ariana's Past Trauma
Numerous followers accused Mr Wen for "causing further distress" Grande, who had spoken of dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder after a devastating incident at the conclusion of her 2017 show in Manchester, resulting in the death of 22 people and harming numerous individuals.
"After everything she's faced... including the Manchester attack, you considered it entertaining to rush the barrier?" wrote another message on Instagram.
Some attendees also questioned security officers at the gathering for not being adequately prepared; while others demanded social media platforms to ban Mr Wen's videos.
Response and Premiere Information
In clips spreading on the internet, Grande appeared shocked when she was touched by the individual. Her fellow actors Michelle Yeoh and Erivo can be seen consoling her while Mr Wen was removed by staff.
Grande has not issued a statement on the event, and the rest of the event carried on uninterrupted.
Hundreds of attendees had congregated in a crowd of green and pink at the Wicked: For Good international debut in a Singapore shopping center, including several who had stood in line for as long as many hours before it started.
The movie, to be premiered on 21 November, is the sequel of a dual interpretation of the well-known Broadway and West End show Wicked, which focuses on the surprising relationship between two contrasting witches.
The production itself is a adaptation of the classic book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
Grande, who plays the good witch Glinda, was dressed in a champagne pink sparkling outfit at the event while Erivo, who acts as the Elphaba, wore a sleek black dress featuring roses.
They were accompanied by cast member Jeff Goldblum.
The first movie, Wicked, was the most successful movie of 2024 in the UK, and scored a dozen Academy Award nods, securing two for outstanding attire and set decoration.