Australian man jailed nine days for rushing at Ariana Grande during Singapore premiere

SINGAPORE: A 26-year-old Australian man was sentenced on 17 November 2025 to nine days’ jail for rushing at singer Ariana Grande during the Wicked: For Good Singapore premiere.

The court heard that the incident amounted to public nuisance and caused significant disruption to the high-profile event.

According to court proceedings, Johnson Wen had been remanded since 14 November 2025 and pleaded guilty to one charge of causing annoyance to the public.

In videos widely circulated online, Wen was seen jumping over a barricade at Resorts World Sentosa on 13 November 2025.

He ran towards Grande, placed his arm around her and jumped up and down as she appeared visibly shocked.

Co-star Cynthia Erivo intervened to break his grip, before security officers tackled Wen and removed him from the area.

Prosecutors said the act alarmed fans and disrupted the yellow carpet event hosted by Universal Studios Singapore.

The court was told that Wen arrived in Singapore on 11 November 2025 for the premiere and a holiday.

Before attending the event, he posted an Instagram story referring to Grande as his “best friend” and stated that he had dreamed of meeting her.

He appeared laughing in the video.

Between 7pm and 7.11pm on 13 November, cast members including Grande, Erivo, Jeff Goldblum and Michelle Yeoh were meeting fans and signing autographs.

Wen then jumped the barricade and rushed towards the cast, prompting immediate intervention by security personnel.

As he was escorted out, Wen suddenly turned back and attempted to re-enter the restricted area.

Security officers stopped him and pinned him down.

Later that night, Wen posted on Instagram claiming he was free after being arrested, and shared videos of the incident on TikTok and Instagram.

According to investigation findings, Wen admitted that he knew his behaviour would cause annoyance to the public.

Police investigations also revealed that he had a record of disrupting major entertainment events overseas, including concerts by Katy Perry, The Chainsmokers and The Weeknd.

Officers subsequently located him at Temple Street on 14 November and arrested him for public nuisance.

Wen, appearing via video-link from remand, listened quietly during the hearing.

He appeared confused at points, asking the court officer to repeat certain phrases.

When asked about his language, he replied: “English. Australia.”

The prosecution sought a week’s jail, noting that although Wen had no prior convictions in Singapore, he was not a first-time offender internationally.

The prosecutor described Wen as a “serial intruder” and argued that a deterrent sentence was necessary to emphasise the seriousness of such conduct.

Under Singapore law, public nuisance carries a maximum penalty of three months’ jail, a fine of up to S$2,000, or both.