Australian Jailed for Grabbing Ariana Grande in SG

A Singapore court has sentenced 26-year-old Australian Johnson Wen to nine days in jail after he grabbed pop star and actress Ariana Grande during the Asia premiere of Wicked: For Good last Thursday. Wen was found guilty of being a public nuisance in connection with the high-profile incident.

Video footage captured Wen jumping over barriers and charging at Grande, visibly startling her. He grabbed her shoulders while jumping up and down, prompting immediate intervention. Grande’s co-star, Cynthia Erivo, quickly pried Wen off, and security personnel escorted him out. Wen attempted to jump the barricades a second time but was stopped and pinned down by security.

The incident drew widespread criticism in Singapore, with many calling for Wen’s arrest and deportation. Social media users described his actions as “re-traumatising” for Grande, who has previously disclosed suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder following a 2017 suicide bomb attack at her Manchester concert that killed 22 people and injured hundreds. Wen has a history of disrupting concerts and celebrity events, including incidents involving Katy Perry and The Weeknd, as well as intrusions at sporting events. Reports indicate that he is banned from certain stadiums and has faced substantial fines.

Singapore authorities arrested Wen the day after the incident, charging him with public nuisance. He pleaded guilty and appeared in court without legal representation. Prosecutors recommended a week-long jail sentence, highlighting Wen’s repeated intrusions and his tendency to publicise them online to gain attention. In mitigation, Wen told the judge that he would not repeat his actions. Under Singapore law, public nuisance offences carry a maximum penalty of three months in jail, a fine of up to S$2,000 (approximately £1,167 or $1,537), or both.

Grande has not publicly commented on the incident and continued attending events in Los Angeles over the weekend. However, Erivo appeared to reference the incident indirectly while discussing her relationship with Grande during press interactions for Wicked: For Good, stating: "We have come through some stuff in our lives, our daily workings... even this last week, let's be honest."

The sentencing serves as a reminder of Singapore’s strict laws against public nuisance and highlights ongoing concerns over personal safety for celebrities at public events. Wen’s nine-day jail term underscores that such actions, even when shared on social media, carry real legal consequences.