The incident, which took place at Universal Studios Singapore last week, quickly went viral and raised concerns about public safety at high-profile events.
According to court documents, 26-year-old Johnson Wen jumped a barricade as Ariana Grande arrived on the yellow carpet, wrapping his arm around the stunned actor before waving to the crowd. Videos circulating online show Grande briefly startled as co-star Cynthia Erivo moves protectively toward her. Security personnel immediately intervened, pulling Wen away and removing him from the area.
Wen was arrested later that evening and charged with being a public nuisance. Prosecutors told the court that the act appeared premeditated and pointed out that the accused has previously disrupted major sports events and concerts around the world. They argued that his behaviour demonstrated a pattern that posed a continued risk.
Singapore District Judge Christopher Goh agreed, saying the act was reckless and attention-seeking, carried out without regard for the safety of others. He added that while the sentence was below the maximum penalty, it was necessary to send a message that such behaviour will not be tolerated in Singapore, a country known for its strict public safety standards.
Appearing via video link in a white shirt, Wen initially appeared confused as the charges were read out, but eventually pleaded guilty. When asked for a final statement, he told the judge: “I won’t do it again, Your Honour. I am going to stop getting into trouble.”
Judge Goh reminded him that actions have consequences, emphasizing the need to uphold Singapore’s reputation as a safe and orderly destination for global events. Wen has already served four days of his sentence and will complete the remaining five behind bars.
Despite the disruption, the premiere of Wicked: For Good continued as planned, with the cast surrounding Grande before resuming the event. Grande, now 32, has faced traumatic incidents in the past, including the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing that killed 22 people and left her with long-lasting emotional scars. The latest incident has reignited conversations about celebrity safety and the increasing unpredictability of public events.
