A moment of high tension unfolded on Thursday during the promotional tour of “Wicked: Part 2” in Singapore, when Ariana Grande was unexpectedly approached by an intruder on the red carpet. The singer, who plays Glinda in the musical adaptation, was walking past reporters with Cynthia Erivo and other cast members when, without warning, a man rushed toward her and wrapped his arms around her shoulders.
Grande reacted instantly, visibly startled and confused, her expression revealing immediate alarm as cameras continued flashing around her. It was Cynthia Erivo, who portrays Elphaba, who reacted the quickest. With firmness and composure, she pushed the intruder away while attempting to reassure Ariana, who stepped back with clear signs of shock. Only several seconds later —a delay that sparked criticism online— security personnel finally intervened, restraining the man and escorting him out of the area. Although Ariana Grande was not physically harmed, the scare was evident, and the incident temporarily halted the promotional event.
Soon after, social media users identified the individual involved. He is believed to be Johnson Wen, a well-known disruptor who has gained notoriety for interrupting public events and celebrity appearances. Dressed in a white T-shirt, white shorts, and sporting blue highlights in his hair, Wen had already been involved in similar episodes: months earlier, he rushed the stage during a concert in Australia where Katy Perry was performing, and he has attempted to slip into photo sessions and livestreams of other celebrities.
Wen, who refers to himself as a “pajama man” and often labels his actions as “harmless pranks,” posted a video of the incident on Instagram just hours later. The caption read, “Dear Ariana Grande, thank you for letting me jump onto the yellow carpet with you,” a remark that sparked strong backlash from the singer’s fans, who denounced his behavior as invasive, disrespectful, and potentially dangerous.
The incident has reignited debate over security protocols at high-profile international events, particularly during global promotional tours where protection standards may differ. Many users criticized the delayed response from guards and called for stronger, more consistent security measures for the “Wicked” cast, considering the global popularity of the artists involved. Ariana Grande has not yet issued an official statement, but sources close to the team say she is doing well and plans to continue with the tour —though with enhanced security moving forward.
