An Australian man named Johnson Wen has been charged with being a public nuisance after he was filmed jumping the barricade at the Wicked: For Good premiere in Singapore and grabbing Ariana Grande.
Viral video of the Thursday incident showed Cynthia Erivo rushing to defend her Wicked co-star before security intervened and pushed Wen away. Grande — whose 2017 concert in Manchester was famously the site of a fatal terrorist attack — appeared visibly shaken by the incident.
Wen, 26, posted on Instagram later that he was “free after being arrested.”
However, on Friday, Wen was charged in Singapore, where he reportedly told the court he intends to plead guilty.
In the Asian city-state, the charge could result in a prison sentence of up to three months, a fine of up to S$2000 ($1540; £1170) or both. Wen is notorious for behaving badly at star-studded events. He was even arrested in Australia in June after rushing on stage during a Katy Perry concert.
Wen, who describes himself as “Troll Most Hated” on his Instagram, has a history of invading concerts and events.
He was even arrested in Australia in June after rushing on stage during a Katy Perry concert.
The troll faced widespread criticism on social media, particularly in light of the Manchester bombing at Grande’s concert, which killed 22 and left hundreds injured.
“Ariana has been through so many scary things... and at her Manchester concert and you thought it would be fun to jump the barricade?” wrote one person.
Meanwhile, Erivo was praised by fans for her quick intervention.
“Actress. Dancer. Writer. Model. BODYGUARD. As if I couldn’t possibly love her more,” one wrote.
“The way that Cynthia immediately went to protect her says a lot about her,” someone else added, while another said: “Cynthia truly multi talented. Broadway, silver screen, AND security guard?”
Jon M. Chu’s highly anticipated sequel, out later this month, arrives a year after the release of Wicked: Part One, which welcomed Grande and Erivo in their respective Oscar-nominated roles as Glinda and Elphaba.
Wicked: For Good finds Elphaba banished into exile and demonized as the Wicked Witch of the West, while Glinda enjoys a life of fame and popularity in the Emerald City. As an angry mob unites to take down Elphaba, she must team up with Glinda to transform herself for good.
The sequel will also see the return of Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, Jeff Goldblum as The Wizard, Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, and Marissa Bode as Nessarose.
Wicked: For Good will be available to watch in theaters on November 21.
