Johnson Wen sentenced after lunging towards Ariana Grande at Singapore Wicked: For Good premiere
An Australian man known online for confronting celebrities has been jailed for nine days after leaping a barricade at a Wicked: For Good premiere and approaching Ariana Grande.
Johnson Wen, 26, who uses the handle “Pyjman Man” on Instagram, recorded himself carrying out the stunt at the high-profile Singapore event, where Grande, Cynthia Erivo and Michelle Yeoh were among the stars walking the carpet.
Footage Wen later posted online shows Grande recoiling as he rushes towards her, with Erivo stepping between them and shouting at the self-styled influencer.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Erivo later referenced the frightening moment during a Screen Actors Guild screening over the weekend, telling the audience her co-star had gone “through some sh.t” recently.
“I mean, f..k, even this last week,” Erivo said. “Let’s be honest, for f..k’s sakes. We’ve had to really deal with some stuff.”
News.com.au reported that police arrested Wen the following day, charging him with public nuisance. He was sentenced by Singapore District Judge Christopher Goh, who called the incident “premeditated”.
“You seem to be attention seeking, thinking only of yourself and not the safety of others when committing these acts,” the judge said, adding that Wen was “wrong” to assume he could avoid consequences.
“You should be mindful that there are always consequences for one’s actions.”
Appearing via videolink, Wen pleaded guilty.
“I won’t do it again, Your Honour. I am going to stop getting into trouble,” he told the judge.
Wen has already served four days behind bars and will complete the remaining five.
Shortly after the premiere, Wen boasted on social media about the stunt.
“I’m free after being arrested,” he bragged in a video filmed inside a Singapore shopping mall, before posting the clip of himself running toward Grande and being taken down by security.
“Dear Ariana Grande, Thank You for letting me Jump on the Yellow Carpet with You,” he captioned it.
The confrontation was likely distressing for Grande, who has previously spoken publicly about her PTSD following the 2017 bombing at her concert in Manchester.
Wen has cultivated an online audience through similar behaviour, including jumping on stage at Katy Perry and The Weeknd’s Australia shows.
His Instagram bio labels him a “Troll Most Hated”.
