Australian man Johnson Wen caused a stir at the premiere of Wicked: For Good in Singapore when he charged at Ariana Grande on the yellow carpet. This incident left Grande visibly shaken as security quickly removed Wen from the scene. But this wasn’t the first time Wen had disrupted high-profile events. Known as “Pyjama Man” online, Wen has a history of crashing celebrity events, including concerts and sports matches. Despite his antics, Wen has proclaimed his admiration for Grande, calling her “the Queen” in his Instagram bio.
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The 26-year-old Wen gained notoriety for previous incidents involving celebrities like The Chainsmokers and The Weeknd. At a Katy Perry concert in Sydney, Wen even made it onstage with the singer before being escorted away by security. Following the incident at the Wicked premiere, Wen posted a video on Instagram, thanking Grande for allowing him to share the carpet with her. Despite his disruptive behaviour, Wen claimed in the past that he intended to quit crashing events due to the troubles it caused him.
However, Wen’s actions at the Wicked premiere led to his arrest by Singapore authorities. Charged with “being a public nuisance,” Wen faced potential fines, jail time, or both if found guilty. His court appearance was scheduled for November 17. In recent reports, it was revealed that Wen, who was unemployed, had accumulated $20,000 in fines from previous incidents. His disruptive behaviour had caused concern not only for Grande but also for other celebrities and event attendees.
Following the incident, Grande’s co-stars, including Michelle Yeoh and Cynthia Erivo, came to her aid, visibly disturbed by the disruption caused by Wen. Erivo intervened swiftly to shield Grande from Wen’s advances, ensuring her safety on the carpet. Marissa Bode, who plays Nessarose Thropp alongside Grande in the Wicked movies, took to TikTok to express her dismay at the incident, condemning the behaviour as unsafe and lacking remorse. Despite the unsettling encounter, Grande remained composed and later expressed her gratitude to Singapore in a social media post.
In light of Wen’s repeated disruptions and his recent arrest, questions have been raised about security measures at high-profile events and the safety of celebrities. The incident serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by public figures in maintaining their privacy and safety in the face of overzealous fans. As Wen awaits his court hearing, the consequences of his actions reflect the importance of upholding boundaries and respect in interactions with celebrities and public figures. The incident at the Wicked premiere serves as a cautionary tale about the potential risks of celebrity worship taken to extreme lengths.