Ariana Grande was surprised by a fan who invaded the red carpet at the Wicked: For Good premiere in Singapore on Thursday, November 13. The man, identified as Johnson Wen, known as Pajama Man, grabbed the singer by the shoulders as she posed with her co-stars. Cynthia Erivo, who plays Elphaba, reacted quickly, fending off the attacker and protecting Grande. Security removed Wen from the premises, and the incident was recorded in videos that circulated on social media.
Grande, who plays Glinda in the film, was visibly shaken, being comforted by Erivo and Michelle Yeoh, also present at the event. Wen, who has invaded other celebrity events, such as shows by Katy Perry and The Weeknd, posted a video of what happened on her social network, thanking Grande for the “opportunity”. The premiere took place at Universal Studios Singapore, with the presence of Jeff Goldblum and other actors.
The case reignited debates about the safety of artists at public events. Grande has previously spoken out about dealing with anxiety and post-traumatic stress, especially after the bombing at her Manchester concert in 2017.
- Similar incidents: Wen has already interrupted events for Katy Perry (June 2024) and The Weeknd (August 2024).
- Audience reaction: Fans criticized the lack of effective barriers on the red carpet.
- Context of Grande: The singer has reported the emotional impacts of traumatic events.
Immediate reaction at the event
Erivo acted instinctively when he noticed We’s movementn towards Grande. The actress positioned herself between the two, while security intervened.
Videos show Grande taking a deep breath, trying to compose herself after the scare. Yeoh, who plays Madame Morrible, also offered support to her colleague.
Wen’s hacking history
Johnson Wen, self-styled Pajama Man, is known for crashing celebrity events. He has caused turmoil at shows and award shows, always seeking attention on social media.
In his post about the incident, Wen treated the episode as a moment of friendly interaction, but fans disapproved of his attitude.
Posts on social media show outrage at the ease of access to the red carpet. Many questioned the organization of the event.
@bellephai13 Someone freaking attacked Ariana on the yellow carpet!!!! 🤬😡 #wickedforgood #wicked #singapore #fyp #foryou ♬ original sound – belle phai
Red carpet safety
Events such as the Oscars and the Cannes Festival have already faced similar problems. In 2024, Cannes recorded arguments between celebrities and security guards.
The lack of physical barriers and rigorous screening facilitates the action of invaders. Organizers face the challenge of balancing accessibility and protection.
Large award shows have adopted measures such as identification bracelets and restricted areas. The premiere of Wicked exposed the need for revisions.
Incidents of this type generate additional costs for security at future events.
Emotional impact on Ariana Grande
Grande has a history of dealing with anxiety, made worse by the attack in Manchester, which killed 22 people. In 2018, she reported to British Vogue that the trauma still affects her.
The singer avoids publicly discussing the impact of incidents like the one in Singapore, but has mentioned difficulties in dealing with intense attention.
Fans expressed solidarity online, asking for more protection for artists. The organization of the premiere has not officially commented so far.
Measures for future events
The entertainment industry has been discussing ways to increase security. Some suggestions include:
- Use of metal detectors at the entrance to red carpets.
- Increased number of security guards in high traffic areas.
- Specific training to deal with attackers without escalating conflicts.
Artist privacy debate
The incident reinforces the need to protect the privacy and well-being of celebrities. Fans and experts demand changes in event management.
