An Australian citizen has been sentenced to nine days in jail in Singapore after rushing a red carpet and grabbing singer-actress Ariana Grande during the Asia premiere of Wicked: For Good last Thursday, according to court documents released Monday.
The man, 26-year-old Johnson Wen, was convicted of creating a public nuisance in a high-profile incident that triggered widespread outrage across Singapore and renewed scrutiny of his history of disrupting celebrity events.
Prosecutors said Wen vaulted a barricade and lunged toward Grande as she greeted fans, gripping her shoulders while jumping excitedly. Videos posted online show a visibly startled Grande frozen in place as co-star Cynthia Erivo intervened, pulling Wen away before security removed him from the area.
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Authorities told the court that Wen attempted to breach the restricted zone a second time only moments after being escorted out. Security personnel tackled him before he could reach the cast again.
The following day, police arrested Wen and charged him with causing a public disturbance. He pleaded guilty.
During Monday’s hearing, state prosecutors argued that Wen’s conduct showed a “pattern of intrusion” and asked the court to impose at least a week in jail. They noted that he had previously publicized attempts to interrupt concerts and sporting events to gain attention on social media.
Videos on Wen’s accounts show him disrupting performances by Katy Perry and The Weeknd and running onto live sports fields. Australian media have reported that he faces stadium bans and significant fines in his home country.
Wen, who did not have legal representation, told the judge he regretted his actions and “would not do it again.”
Under Singapore’s public nuisance laws, offenders may face up to three months in jail, a fine of up to S$2,000 ($1,537), or both.
The incident sparked immediate anger in Singapore, where many social media users called for Wen to be jailed and deported. Some accused him of “re-traumatizing” Grande, who has spoken publicly about suffering PTSD after the 2017 suicide bombing at her Manchester Arena concert that killed 22 people.
Grande has not commented on the case. She appeared at public events in Los Angeles over the weekend.
Erivo, however, alluded to the episode in remarks two days later while discussing her friendship with Grande during filming. “We have come through some stuff in our lives, our daily workings… even this last week, let’s be honest,” she said.
Wen is expected to serve the full nine-day sentence. Singapore authorities have not announced whether he will face further immigration action following his release.