The incident on the yellow carpet
At the Asia‑Pacific premiere of Wicked: For Good in Singapore on 13 November 2025, singer‑actress Ariana Grande was walking the yellow carpet flanked by co‑stars when an Australian man jumped over a barricade and rushed toward her. The man, identified as Johnson Wen (also known online as “Pyjama Man”), put his arm around Grande before being stopped by security and co‑star Cynthia Erivo. Witnesses said the moment was shocking and unsettling for both Grande and attendees.
Charges, sentence and deportation
Wen was charged by Singapore authorities with being a “public nuisance” following the incident. He subsequently pled guilty and on 17 November was sentenced to nine days in jail. After serving his sentence, he has been deported to Australia and barred from re‑entering Singapore. The judge in his case described his behaviour as clearly “attention‑seeking” with a pattern of disruptions that made it likely he would act again.
Context and broader safety concerns
Johnson Wen is not new to this kind of stunt: he has previously intruded on concert stages and celebrity events, including shows by Katy Perry and The Weeknd. The incident in Singapore highlights ongoing concerns about red‑carpet and event security for high‑profile figures. Grande, who has publicly shared past trauma and anxiety related to large events, was seen visibly shaken after the incident.
What this means for event security going forward
The case sends a strong signal: intrusion and harassment at public events will be met with swift legal and immigration consequences. For event organisers and security teams, it underscores the need for:
- stricter perimeter controls and “run‑up” prevention on arrival carpets — especially for major stars,
- rapid intervention protocols when a breach occurs,
- coordination with immigration/entry authorities, as seen by the lifetime re‑entry ban in this case.
Final word
What may have started as a “viral stunt” attempt ended in a jail term, deportation, and a lifetime ban from one of the world’s most tightly controlled jurisdictions. For Ariana Grande and the team at the premiere, what should have been a red carpet moment turned into a stark reminder of the risks celebrities face — and how the consequences for perpetrators are increasing.
