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Singapore jails Australian man who rushed Ariana Grande

Alex Berry with AFP, Straits Times
November 17, 2025

A man has been given a brief jail sentence for jumping a barricade at the "Wicked" sequel premiere and throwing his arm around Ariana Grande.

Security guards grab a man dressed in white at the premiere of the Wicked sequel in Singapore on November 13, 2025
Johnson Wen, seen here in white, was grabbed by security after jumping a barricade to stand next to Ariana GrandeImage: The Straits Times/AFP

A man who jumped over a barricade and accosted singer and actress Ariana Grande at the premiere of her most recent film in Singapore was jailed for nine days on Monday.

Court papers named the defendant as 26-year-old Australian man Johnson Wen.

The incident took place at the Asian premiere of Grande's movie "Wicked: For Good" at Universal Studios last week.

Viral footage shows Wen putting his arm around Grande and jumping up and down before her co-star Cynthia Erivo stepped in between the two.

Wen was then taken away by security but made another attempt to jump the barricade, at which point he was pinned down.

He was later arrested and charged with "being a public nuisance."

Ariana Grande jumper pledges to 'not do it again'

"This act was premeditated," Singapore District Judge Christopher Goh said.

Wen has allegedly interrupted other sports events and concerts, leading the judge to say he "showed a pattern of behavior, which suggests that you will do it again."

"You seem to be attention seeking, thinking only of yourself and not the safety of others when committing these acts," added Goh.

In response, Wen said: "I won't do it again, Your Honor. I am going to stop getting into trouble."

Wen has already been in jail for four days, meaning he has another five to serve.

He escaped the maximum punishment for the crime, namely three months in jail, a fine of S$2,000 (US$1,535; €1,324) or both.

Edited by: Elizabeth Schumacher

Alex Berry Writer and Editor in DW's online newsroom.
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