Ariana Grande Startled at ‘Wicked’ Premiere in Singapore by On-Stage Attacker
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A man breached security and rushed toward singer Ariana Grande at the Singapore premiere of her new film, Wicked, prompting a swift response from co-star Cynthia Erivo and security personnel. The incident, captured in videos circulating on social media, has raised concerns about celebrity safety during promotional events.
Premiere Disrupted by Known Disruptor
The shocking moment unfolded as Grande was posing on the yellow carpet at the premiere event. According to reports, a man suddenly jumped over a barrier and ran toward the singer, grabbing her shoulders and putting an arm around her. Grande appeared visibly shaken by the encounter.
Erivo immediately reacted, pushing the attacker away before security intervened. Fellow cast members Michelle Yeoh and Jeff Goldblum, along with director Jon M. Chu, were also present at the event and offered support to Grande, with Yeoh assisting in comforting the singer alongside Erivo. Fans at the scene reportedly shouted, “Is everything OK?” expressing their concern for Grande’s well-being.
The “Pajama Man” Identified
Authorities quickly identified the attacker as Johnson Wen, who is known online as “Pajama Man.” Wen has a history of disrupting high-profile events and documenting his actions on social media. He reportedly posted a video of the incident on Instagram, writing, “Dear Ariana Grande, thank you for letting me jump on the yellow carpet with you.”
This wasn’t Wen’s first attempt to gain notoriety through disruptive behavior. He previously disrupted a Katy Perry concert in June, The Weeknd’s show in August, and even made an appearance at the Paris Olympics in the summer of 2024.
‘Wicked’ World Tour Continues Amidst Security Concerns
Grande and Erivo star as opposing witches, Glinda and Elphaba, in the highly anticipated film adaptation of the Broadway hit Wicked. The pair are currently traveling the globe to promote Wicked: For Good, which is set to release on November 21st, with fan events already held in cities including São Paulo, Paris, and London. A North American premiere is scheduled in New York. Wicked: Part 2 is slated for release in German cinemas on November 19th. The first Wicked film proved to be a box office success last year, earning ten Oscar nominations.
The incident in Singapore underscores the increasing challenges of ensuring the safety of celebrities during public appearances. Security protocols will likely be reviewed and enhanced as the Wicked world tour continues.
Source: ntv.de, gut/dpa
