Chaos at “Wicked” Singapore premiere as man lunges at Ariana Grande

SHAH ALAM - Ariana Grande showed up ready for glam at the Wicked: For Good Singapore premiere, then a real-life jump scare stole the media attention when a well-known event crasher launched himself over a barricade straight at her.

Viral clips show the intruder pulling her into a tight hug before Grande recoiled.

Another star Cynthia Erivo, who was on the yellow carpet, instantly stepped between them like a human forcefield, while security dragged the man back over the barricade.

Some nearby fans shouted at guards for being too rough. Co-star Michelle Yeoh and the cast immediately checked on Grande before continuing the meet-and-greet.

Later footage showed the same man being escorted out of the venue.

Turns out, he’s not new to this. He’s Johnson Wen, a 25-year-old Australian who treats major events like personal playgrounds.

He’s previously burst into Katy Perry’s Sydney concert, stormed The Weeknd’s stage, hopped on during The Chainsmokers’ festival set and even interrupted the men’s 100m final at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

His rap sheet includes the 2023 Cricket World Cup, the FIFA Women’s World Cup and a footbridge stunt in Brisbane.

On Instagram, Wen proudly calls himself the "2023 World Cup Final Pitch Invader" and "Troll Most Hated", while asking followers to donate money “to pay his bills".

In June, 9News interview, Wen was described as unemployed, living in a backpackers’ hostel and carrying roughly A$20,000 (RM82,650.00) in fines.

He’d claimed the Katy Perry incident would be his last, yet after the latest Singapore stunt, he posted an Instagram Story saying he was “free".

Fans were especially shaken knowing Ariana has spoken openly about her trauma after the 2017 Manchester bombing. In British Vogue, she said:

“I’ve always had anxiety… when I got home from tour, it was the most severe I think it’s ever been."

The Singapore premiere; the film’s only Asian stop before New York, featured Grande, Erivo, Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum and director Jon M. Chu dressed to impress.

But Wen’s antics once again hijacked the public eye, turning a Hollywood moment into a viral headache.