Pop star Ariana Grande, 32, was thrust into a disturbing situation when a man rushed her during a red carpet appearance, and a Singapore court has now sentenced the perpetrator to nine days in jail. BBC News reported on September 17 that the court issued the sentence to Johnson Wen, a 26 year old Australian citizen, for creating a public disturbance.
The incident unfolded on the afternoon of September 13 at the Singapore premiere of Wicked: For Good, where Wen breached security, ran onto the red carpet as the lead cast members were walking, and grabbed Grande in a forceful embrace.
Wen jumped over a barricade and grabbed Ariana Grande in a tight hold, leaving her visibly struggling to pull away. Cynthia Erivo, who plays Elphaba in the film Wicked: For Good, immediately rushed between them while shouting for assistance, allowing security staff to intervene and separate Wen from the shaken singer.
In court, Wen pleaded guilty, and officials revealed that he attempted to breach the red carpet security line twice: once during his charge at Grande and again after he was initially restrained and removed.
He told the judge that he would never repeat the act, yet his behavior afterward drew heavy criticism when he posted on social media claiming he had finally met Ariana Grande and thanking her for letting him walk the carpet with her, even uploading footage of the intrusion.
This incident adds to Wens growing list of disruptions at major events, having previously trespassed during performances by Katy Perry, The Weeknd, and The Chainsmokers.
