Supporters Call for Arrest of Man Who Seized Ariana Grande
Passionate followers of Ariana Grande are demanding that a man who leaped a barricade and seized the actress during Thursday's Wicked: For Good launch be arrested or removed from Singapore.
A circulating video reveals the person identified as Johnson Wen bypassing media personnel and charging at Grande while the actors proceeded down a event pathway flanked by fans.
Cast member Cynthia Erivo immediately pulled the surprised star away from Mr Wen, who was spotted being led away of the event by guards.
Mr Wen stated on Instagram recently that he was "free after being detained", though court documents indicated that he was due to be present on the following morning. It is not clear if he was faced legal action.
Record of Incidents
This is part of a pattern for Mr Wen, who labels himself a "Controversial Figure", has crashed a concert or event. His Instagram account features recordings of him interrupting other celebrity events, including jumping on stage at the pop singer's Sydney concert in earlier this year and in a similar way during The Chainsmokers performance in the city last December.
"Steps should be implemented taken against him as this is evidently a criminal offence," commented an Instagram commenter, in a reply to a video Mr Wen uploaded of his actions.
"Oh wow so you do this a lot... how aren't you in jail?" a different Instagram user remarked.
Supporters Voice Worry Over the Star's Well-being
Several followers criticized Mr Wen for "re-traumatising" Grande, who had revealed suffering from PTSD after a suicide bomb attack at the conclusion of her May 2017 show in Manchester, resulting in the death of 22 people and wounding numerous individuals.
"Ariana has been through so many scary things... and at her Manchester concert and you thought it would be fun to jump the barricade?" commented a further response on Instagram.
Several attendees also criticised event staff at the premiere for not being adequately prepared; while different individuals requested digital services to block Mr Wen's videos.
Aftermath and Event Details
In videos shared widely, Grande appeared shocked when she was approached by the intruder. Her fellow actors Michelle Yeoh and Erivo can be spotted consoling her while Mr Wen was led out by security.
Grande has remained silent on the situation, and the rest of the event carried on uninterrupted.
Hundreds of supporters had assembled in a mass of colorful attire at the Wicked: For Good Asia-Pacific debut in a Singapore shopping center, including some who had queued for as long as eight hours before it commenced.
The motion picture, to be released on the 21st of November, is the sequel of a dual adaptation of the acclaimed Broadway and West End production Wicked, which revolves around the unlikely friendship between two contrasting witches.
The show itself is a adaptation of the twentieth-century children's novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
Grande, who portrays the benevolent sorceress Glinda, was dressed in a champagne pink glittering gown at the premiere while Erivo, who portrays the wicked witch, wore a black tube gown featuring roses.
They were accompanied by fellow actor Jeff Goldblum.
The previous installment, Wicked, was the top-earning motion picture of the previous year in the UK, and scored a dozen award recognitions, winning a pair for best costume and production design.