Ariana Grande Shaken After Red Carpet Crasher at ‘Wicked’ Premiere

The highly anticipated Singapore premiere of Wicked: For Good on November 13 turned unexpectedly chaotic after a man, later identified as Australian influencer Johnson Wen, rushed toward Ariana Grande on the yellow-brick-road carpet and grabbed her. The frightening moment overshadowed the film’s debut and sparked widespread concern among fans and industry observers.

A Glitzy Premiere Disrupted

The premiere, held at Universal Studios Singapore, was meant to be a celebratory event for the global rollout of the film adaptation of Wicked. Ariana Grande, who plays Glinda, arrived on the carpet with co-stars Cynthia Erivo, Michelle Yeoh, and Jeff Goldblum. The cast greeted fans and posed for photos until the calm was abruptly broken.

According to multiple videos circulating online, the man sprinted toward Grande from behind before turning and pulling her close. He wore a white shirt, shorts, and sported long black hair with blue streaks, instantly recognizable to internet users as “Pyjama Man,” a controversial figure known for staging similar disruptions.

Grande appeared startled and attempted to step away as he wrapped an arm around her. Within seconds, Cynthia Erivo intervened, stepping between Grande and the man while shouting at him to stop. Security personnel quickly escorted him off the carpet as Michelle Yeoh and other team members rushed to support Ariana.

Grande, visibly shaken, remained close to her co-stars as she regained composure.

Who Is “Pyjama Man”? A History of Disturbing Stunts

Fans were quick to identify the individual as 25-year-old Australian social media personality Johnson Wen, who has gained notoriety for reckless public stunts. His online moniker, “Pyjama Man,” stems from his appearances at various events in sleepwear, though his behavior has increasingly crossed from quirky to dangerous.

This was not his first such incident. Wen previously jumped onstage during a Katy Perry performance in June and attempted to disrupt The Weeknd’s concert in August before being removed by security. He once approached cricketer Virat Kohli in a similar fashion, raising questions about how he continues to access highly secured events.

Adding to the outrage, Wen posted a video of the Ariana incident on social media shortly afterward. He captioned it: “Dear Ariana Grande Thank You for letting me Jump on the Yellow Carpet with You.” The message drew immediate backlash from fans around the world.

Fan Outrage and Safety Concerns

Comments on Wen’s post were overwhelmingly critical, with many highlighting the danger he posed and the discomfort inflicted upon Grande. One user wrote, “You’re the reason why we get fewer appearances in Asia.” Another added, “Are you happy now? Does it bring you joy to disturb celebrities?”

Many questioned how Wen repeatedly evades consequences for these interruptions. “How aren’t you in jail?” one commenter asked. Another warned, “Because of your nuisance, she might not come back to Singapore again.”

The overall sentiment across fan communities was clear: the stunt was disrespectful, unsafe, and reflective of broader concerns regarding celebrity security at public events.

Why the Incident Matters

While celebrity appearances often attract intense fan attention, security breaches like this raise serious questions about red carpet safety and the responsibility of event organizers to protect performers. With incidents of fan aggression and attention-seeking behavior on the rise, studios and promotional teams are under increasing pressure to strengthen protocols for high-profile events.

For Wicked: For Good, which relies heavily on global promotional tours, this incident risks detracting from the film’s celebratory launch and could discourage future appearances in certain regions.