A terrifying security breach at the Asian premiere of Wicked has landed an Australian man behind bars.
On Monday, a Singapore court sentenced 26-year-old Johnson Wen to nine days in prison for rushing the red carpet and grabbing pop superstar Ariana Grande. The incident, which went viral on social media, sparked outrage among fans and highlighted a dangerous lapse in security for the singer, who is a survivor of the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing.
The Incident
The chaos unfolded last week at Universal Studios Singapore. As Grande, 32, walked the yellow carpet, Wen vaulted over a security barricade. Video footage shows the man wrapping his arm around a visibly shocked Grande, smiling and waving to the crowd as if he belonged there.
Grande’s co-star, Cynthia Erivo, immediately rushed to her defense before security guards tackled Wen and threw him back over the barricade.
Despite the scare, the cast huddled around Grande, and the premiere continued. However, the breach raised serious questions about how a spectator could get physical access to one of the world’s most high-profile celebrities.
“A Pattern of Behavior”
Prosecutors revealed that this was not an isolated incident of fandom gone wrong. The court heard that Wen has a history of disrupting global sporting events and concerts.
District Judge Christopher Goh did not mince words during the sentencing, labeling the act “premeditated.”
“You seem to be attention seeking, thinking only of yourself and not the safety of others when committing these acts,” Judge Goh told Wen, who appeared via video link wearing a plain white shirt.
The Judge noted that Wen’s record “showed a pattern of behavior, which suggests that you will do it again.”
The Sentence
Wen was charged with “being a public nuisance.” While the maximum penalty under Singapore law includes up to three months in jail and a $1,500 fine, Wen was handed a nine-day sentence.
Having already served four days in remand, he has five days remaining.
When asked if he had anything to say, the 26-year-old told the court: “I won’t do it again, Your Honour. I am going to stop getting into trouble.”
Singapore Sends a Message
Singapore is renowned for its strict laws and safety, a reputation the court was keen to uphold.
“We will not condone any act that potentially undermines the reputation of Singapore as a safe country,” Judge Goh stated, aiming to send a signal to “like-minded individuals” who view these stunts as harmless pranks.
It remains unclear if Wen will face deportation or further restrictions upon his release.
Analysis: Given Grande’s history with the tragic Manchester attack, was a 9-day sentence enough for a man who physically grabbed her? Let us know your thoughts below.