Johnson Wen (left), 26, is accused of committing the offence at the Universal Studios Singapore on Nov 13. Ariana Grande (right) seen being comforted by her co-star Cynthia Erivo after the incident. Photos: KELVIN CHNG/The Straits Times/Asia News Network
The man who charged at pop superstar Ariana Grande at Universal Studios Singapore at Sentosa was charged on Nov 14 with being a public nuisance.
Johnson Wen, 26, an Australian who appeared in a district court via video-link, is accused of committing the offence on Nov 13 at the premiere of Wicked: For Good, which Grande stars in.
An unrepresented Wen told the court on Nov 14 that he intends to plead guilty.
In multiple videos of the incident at the theme park at Resorts World Sentosa, which have gone viral, Wen jumped a barricade and rushed towards the actress, putting his arm around her.
She recoiled in shock, but co-star Cynthia Erivo forced herself between Grande and Wen, while security guards quickly apprehended him.
He was tossed over the barricade by a member of security.
After the incident, the rest of the cast – including Michelle Yeoh – quickly huddled around Grande to check if she was unharmed before continuing walking on the yellow carpet to greet fans and sign autographs.
Ariana Grande comforted by her co-star Cynthia Erivo after the incident.
Wen is a serial intruder, having disrupted numerous international events, including Katy Perry’s Sydney concert in June, and the men’s 100m final at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
He has an Instagram account where he documents his antics, with his bio describing himself as the “2023 World Cup Final Pitch Invader” and “Troll Most Hated”.
The Sentosa premiere was the only Asian stop in the film’s international promotional tour that ends in New York City on Nov 17.
Grande, Erivo, Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, and director Jon M. Chu were greeting fans, who had paid more than $90 to enter the ticketed event. – The Straits Times/Asia News Network
