An Australian man with a notorious history of crashing high-profile events has once again caused a major security scare, this time targeting pop superstar Ariana Grande at a film premiere in Singapore.
The Yellow Carpet Confrontation
The incident unfolded at the Singapore premiere of Wicked: For Good, where Grande was engaging with fans on the yellow carpet alongside her co-stars. In a shocking breach, Johnson Wen, 24, leaped over a barricade and bolted directly towards the singer.
Video from the event shows Wen putting his arm around a visibly shocked and uncomfortable Ariana Grande and began jumping up and down. The situation was swiftly defused by her co-star, Cynthia Erivo, who immediately stepped in to protect Grande.
"Get off her, don't touch her," Erivo was heard saying as she pushed the intruder away. Meanwhile, fellow co-star Michelle Yeoh, who plays Madame Morrible in the film, comforted a startled Grande as security personnel moved in to escort Wen from the premises.
A History of Disruptive Stunts
This is far from an isolated incident for Johnson Wen, who has built a social media presence by documenting his public antics. He later posted about the Grande encounter on TikTok, writing, "Dear Ariana Grande thanks for letting me jump on the yellow carpet with you."
His history of gatecrashing events is extensive and international:
- Just months ago, he bypassed security at a Katy Perry concert in Sydney, rushing the stage during her performance of 'Hot N Cold'.
- In 2023, he invaded the stage during a Weeknd concert at Melbourne's Marvel Stadium to hug the singer.
- His disruptions extend beyond music, having delayed the men's 100m final at the 2024 Paris Olympics by invading the track.
- He also ran onto the pitch during the 2023 Cricket World Cup Final, approaching cricketer Virat Kohli.
Wen has faced financial penalties for his actions, including a $220 fine for a rugby pitch invasion in January 2021 and a $250 fine for dangling from a Brisbane footbridge in November 2020.
Aftermath and Film Release
Following a past incident, Wen told 7NEWS he does not feel fear during these stunts but rather a sense of "euphoria".
The film at the centre of this latest security breach, Wicked: For Good, is the second instalment in the Wicked franchise and serves as a prequel retelling of The Wizard of Oz. Australian fans won't have to wait long, as the film is scheduled to hit cinemas across the country on November 20.
