The man who grabbed Ariana Grande at a red-carpet premiere for Wicked: For Good in Singapore has been jailed for nine days.
According to BBC News, Australian national Johnson Wen was convicted of being a public nuisance.Wen, 26, has a history of disrupting public events and rushing concert stages.
Video footage shows Wen jumping over a barricade at Universal Studios Singapore and rushing at grande on the red carpet on 13 November. Grande’s co-star Cynthia Erivo promptly stepped in to help protect her and Wen was moved away.
The court heard that after being removed by security staff Wen made a second attempt to jump the barricades, after which security staff stopped him and pinned him down.
Man Charges Stage at Ariana Grande’s ‘Wicked’ Premiere in Singapore
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A man rushed the stage during the Singapore premiere of the film Wicked on November 16, 2023, briefly startling Ariana Grande.The incident, captured in a now-viral video, has sparked criticism and raised concerns about security at high-profile events. The man has been identified as Wen, who regularly posts footage of similar stage invasions on Instagram under the handle pyjamamann. https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/nov/17/ariana-grande-wicked-premiere-singapore-stage-rush
Incident Details
The incident occurred as Grande posed for photos with co-stars on the red carpet. Wen approached the stage and attempted to reach Grande before being intercepted by security personnel. The Guardian reports that Wen has a history of similar incidents, including stage invasions at concerts by Katy Perry and The Weeknd.
The footage quickly circulated online,drawing condemnation from many viewers who labeled the act as a criminal offense. Singapore police have confirmed they are investigating the incident. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-67364919
‘Wicked’ Publicity Tour and Oscar Buzz
Grande and her co-stars are currently undertaking an extensive publicity tour for Wicked, which is scheduled for release on November 27, 2023. https://www.wickedthemusical.com/ Early reviews, which where embargoed until Tuesday, November 21, 2023, have generated meaningful Oscar buzz for both Grande and Cynthia Erivo. https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/nov/21/wicked-film-review-ariana-grande-cynthia-erivo
A history of Red Carpet Disruptions
While security measures have increased in recent years, red carpet events have a history of disruptions. here are a few notable examples:
* 2007: Cielke Sijben handcuffed herself to Hugh Grant during a premiere, requiring firefighters to intervene.
* 2012: A Ukrainian TV prankster buried his head in Bradley Cooper’s trousers on a red carpet. The same prankster kissed Will Smith at a previous premiere.
* 2012: Kim Kardashian was flour-bombed by a PETA activist during a perfume launch.
These incidents highlight the challenges of maintaining security at public events, even with heightened precautions.
key Takeaways
* A man identified as Wen rushed the stage during the Wicked premiere in Singapore.
* Wen has a history of similar stage invasions documented on his Instagram account.
* The incident prompted a police inquiry and widespread online criticism.
* Wicked is generating significant Oscar buzz following positive early reviews.
* Red carpet disruptions, while less common now, have occurred throughout the years.
The incident at the Wicked premiere serves as a reminder of the potential security risks associated with high-profile events. As public figures continue their promotional tours, event organizers will likely re-evaluate and reinforce security protocols to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
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