Identity of The Weeknd Melbourne stage invader revealed: ‘My plan worked’

The man who jumped on stage and hugged The Weeknd during his recent Melbourne concert has been unmasked as a serial “prankster” who has disrupted some of the world’s biggest events.

The concertgoer managed to get past extensive security and run towards the Canadian singer, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, during his performance at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Concert gatecrasher who tackled The Weeknd during Melbourne concert unmasked

The singer appeared to nervously back away before he was tackled into a hug by the man, who goes by “Pyjama Man” on TikTok.

His real name, however, is Johnson Wen and he has a history of being a public nuisance.

The 24-year-old describes himself as a “troll, prankster, memer” and uses his TikTok account to share his antics with the world.

Wen ran onto the pitch during the 2023 Cricket World Cup Final, where he approached cricketer Virat Kohli, and delayed the men’s 100m final at the Paris Olympics when he invaded the track.

Closer to home Wen was fined $250 in November 2020 for dangling from a Brisbane footbridge and $220 for a pitch invasion at a rugby game in January 2021.

Wen told 7NEWS he had planned his stunt at the The Weeknd concert for months.

“(There) was way too many security guards, it looked like it was impossible to get through,” he said.

“Somehow I just managed to find a small gap in my section and as soon as I was ready to run on the stage, I ran through that small gap and then I jumped up.”

Wen said he did not get scared during his streaking stunts but rather felt a sense of “euphoria”.

“I was extremely happy and as soon as I got to The Weeknd I knew that my plan worked.”

Criminal lawyer Michael Kizilny said streakers could be fined up to $5000 in Australia or face a ban from the venue or sports game.

However, he said the laws here were “quite lenient”.

“In some of the US states people have gone to jail for six months or there’s fines of up to $250,000,” he said.

“I think it’s definitely time to increase the laws to make people appreciate the seriousness of these incidents.

“Some of these people are repeat offenders and they just don’t learn the first time.”

Concert controversy

The incident wasn’t the only talking point after the night one show, with many fans expressing disappointment at the content and staging of the concert.

Their ire rose after seeing reports about the second performance on social media which showed the singer had clearly adjusted his show to address the major complaints and delivered an “electric” second show on Sunday.

“We all deserve a refund if that’s what Night 1 got. 1. Late. 2: Closed Roof. 3: Rushed songs. 4: No fireworks. 5: No good closing. And mainly no Moth to A Flame. We deserved BETTER! So disappointed,” an upset fan from Saturday’s show said.

Footage emerged late Sunday night and early Monday showcasing the open roof performance with fireworks.

Tesfaye even went beyond curfew to play Moth To A Flame for his fans.

“I think we’re past curfew but I can do one more maybe? Make some noise!” he said to the crowd.

Night one fans expressed their disappointment on social media with some asking for a refund.

“Bruhh I’m punching the air rn, where was this on n1,” one said.

“WHAT nah I feel cheated from night 1, I’m so upset,” added another.