Fans Call for Custody of Man Who Seized Ariana Grande

Ariana Grande at Wicked premiere
Ariana Grande attended an event in Singapore for the international launch of Wicked: For Good

Loyal followers of the pop star are urging that a individual who breached a barricade and grabbed the performer during Thursday's Wicked: For Good premiere be detained or removed from Singapore.

A circulating footage reveals the person identified as Johnson Wen pushing past camera operators and lunging at Grande while the cast proceeded down a event pathway flanked by fans.

Cast member Cynthia Erivo promptly guided the stunned actress away from Mr Wen, who was seen being led away of the gathering by event staff.

Mr Wen posted on Instagram Thursday evening that he was "let go after being taken in", though legal records revealed that he was due to attend court on the next day. It is uncertain if he was charged.

Record of Incidents

This is not the first time for Mr Wen, who labels himself a "Controversial Figure", has invaded a performance. His Instagram profile includes clips of him interrupting other high-profile occasions, including jumping on stage at the artist's Sydney performance in recently and in a comparable manner during The Chainsmokers performance in the same location last December.

"Measures must be taken applied against him as this is evidently a criminal offence," commented an Instagram follower, in a response to a video Mr Wen shared of his act.

"This appears to be a habit... why are you not imprisoned?" a different Instagram user wrote.

Followers Show Disapproval Over the Star's Safety

Many supporters blamed Mr Wen for "triggering past anxiety" Grande, who had revealed dealing with trauma-related anxiety after a terrorist explosion at the finale of her May 2017 concert in Manchester, resulting in the death of 22 people and harming hundreds.

"After everything she's faced... including the Manchester attack, you considered it entertaining to rush the barrier?" commented one more comment on Instagram.

Several fans also questioned security officers at the premiere for not being sufficiently alert; while some requested digital services to remove Mr Wen's content.

Reaction and Premiere Information

In videos circulating online, Grande looked shocked when she was touched by the intruder. Her cast members Michelle Yeoh and Erivo can be observed reassuring her while Mr Wen was escorted away by guards.

Grande has not issued a statement on the event, and the remaining proceedings continued without further issues.

Fans at Wicked premiere
Numerous of Singapore attendees had queued up to greet the cast of Wicked

Many of fans had congregated in a sea of colorful attire at the Wicked: For Good Asia-Pacific debut in a Singapore shopping center, including several who had queued for as long as many hours before it started.

The motion picture, to be launched on 21 November, is the sequel of a two-film version of the acclaimed Broadway and West End show Wicked, which centers on the unexpected bond between two very different sorceresses.

The show itself is a derivative of the twentieth-century book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

Grande, who plays the benevolent sorceress Glinda, was adorned in a rosé sequin dress at the gathering while Erivo, who plays the villainous character, wore a sleek black dress embroidered with roses.

They were joined by fellow actor Jeff Goldblum.

The first movie, Wicked, was the top-earning motion picture of last year in the UK, and scored 10 Oscar nominations, winning two for excellent wardrobe and set decoration.

David Duran
David Duran

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