SINGAPORE (Kashmir English): A 26-year-old man from Australia was sentenced to nine days in jail on Monday for rushing pop star Ariana Grande at the Singapore premiere of ‘Wicked: For Good’.
On November 13, Johnson Wen jumped over a barricade at Resorts World Sentosa, embracing his arm around Grande before jumping up and down, leaving Grande visibly shocked. There was no harm to the singer as co-star Cynthia Erivo and security officers quickly intervened.
Footage of the stunt quickly went viral online. The Australian man later posted clips on social media, thanking Grande and showing himself ‘free’ after his arrest, with no signal of remorse.
Wen was remanded on November 14 and appeared in court via video link. He was apparently calm as prosecutors described his repeated pattern of attention-seeking behaviour.
Investigators came to know Wen had previously disrupted concerts by Katy Perry, The Chainsmokers, and The Weeknd, in a troubling history of targeting high-profile events.
Despite having no criminal record in Singapore, prosecutors suggested a custodial sentence, necessary to deter similar acts in future.
Singapore judge
District Judge Christopher Goh described Wen as “attention-seeking” and warned that previous unchecked actions abroad may have given him a false sense of impunity.
“You are wrong. You should be mindful that there are always consequences for one’s actions,” Goh said, noting that Singapore law allows up to three months’ imprisonment or a fine of S$2,000 for public nuisance.
Wen pleaded guilty, with a promise not to repeat such behaviour. However, the court sentenced him to nine days in jail to ensure the sentence would “end Wen’s behaviour for good.”
The nuisance didn’t disrupt the premiere, which went ahead as planned, with Grande and the cast continuing down the yellow carpet.
