🔗 Share this article

Devoted fans of Ariana Grande are urging that a individual who jumped a fence and touched the performer during Thursday's Wicked: For Good premiere be arrested or removed from Singapore.

A widely shared footage reveals the person identified as Johnson Wen shoving aside media personnel and charging at Grande while the actors proceeded down a yellow carpet accompanied by onlookers.

Co-star Cynthia Erivo immediately pulled the shocked performer away from Mr Wen, who was observed being removed of the event by security officers.

Mr Wen shared on Instagram Thursday evening that he was "released after being taken in", though official papers indicated that he was set to be present on Friday morning. It is uncertain if he was charged.

History of Incidents

This is part of a pattern for Mr Wen, who describes himself as a "Controversial Figure", has crashed a concert or event. His Instagram feed includes recordings of him disturbing other celebrity events, including jumping on stage at the pop singer's Sydney performance in earlier this year and in a like fashion during The Chainsmokers event in the city last December.

"Measures must be taken applied against him as this is clearly a punishable act," commented an Instagram follower, in a response to a video Mr Wen posted of his actions.

"You've done this repeatedly... how are you not behind bars?" one Instagram user remarked.

Supporters Show Disapproval Over Grande's Well-being

Many supporters criticized Mr Wen for "re-traumatising" Grande, who had revealed experiencing PTSD after a terrorist explosion at the end of her 2017 performance in Manchester, claiming the lives of 22 people and injuring numerous individuals.

"After everything she's faced... including the Manchester attack, you considered it entertaining to rush the barrier?" commented another response on Instagram.

Some attendees also faulted security officers at the Thursday event for not being adequately prepared; while different individuals demanded online networks to remove Mr Wen's uploads.

Response and Event Details

In clips circulating online, Grande looked surprised when she was touched by the intruder. Her cast members Michelle Yeoh and Erivo can be spotted consoling her while Mr Wen was led out by security.

Grande has not commented on the situation, and the premiere activities proceeded as normal.

Many of attendees had gathered in a sea of green and pink at the Wicked: For Good international debut in a Singapore venue, including several who had waited for as long as a significant duration before it commenced.

The film, to be launched on the 21st of November, is the second of a dual interpretation of the acclaimed Broadway and West End musical Wicked, which focuses on the unlikely relationship between two distinct characters.

The show itself is a adaptation of the classic story The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

Grande, who acts as the benevolent sorceress Glinda, was decked out in a light pink glittering gown at the gathering while Erivo, who acts as the villainous character, wore a black tube gown embroidered with roses.

They were joined by cast member Jeff Goldblum.

The initial film, Wicked, was the top-earning film of last year in the UK, and earned ten Oscar nominations, winning several for outstanding attire and set decoration.