A moment of chaos erupted at the Singapore premiere of *Wicked*, as a man unexpectedly breached security and rushed towards Ariana Grande on the yellow carpet. The incident, captured on video, sent shockwaves through the crowd and quickly went viral.
In a display of fierce loyalty and quick thinking, Cynthia Erivo instinctively moved to shield her friend. She forcefully intervened, pushing the man away from Grande as security personnel swarmed the area, a protective barrier against the sudden threat.
The man was swiftly identified as 26-year-old Australian national Johnson Wen, known online as “Pyjama Man.” He had arrived in Singapore as a tourist, specifically to attend the premiere, but his actions quickly led to legal consequences.
Wen pleaded guilty to being a public nuisance and was sentenced to nine days in jail. The court heard he jumped the barricade while Grande, Erivo, and Michelle Yeoh were greeting fans, creating a frightening and disruptive scene.
Video footage revealed a startling moment where Wen appeared to tackle Grande in a hug-like hold. Erivo’s immediate reaction – throwing herself between them – demonstrated a remarkable level of courage and concern for her co-star.
Yeoh also reacted with visible alarm, turning towards Grande as security struggled to remove Wen from the area. The incident left the actresses visibly shaken, but they quickly composed themselves.
Remarkably, Wen himself documented the event on social media, posting footage with a caption thanking Grande for allowing him to jump onto the carpet. The post was met with widespread condemnation and outrage.
This wasn’t an isolated incident. Wen has a history of similar stunts, including rushing the stage at concerts by Katy Perry and The Chainsmokers, revealing a pattern of disruptive behavior.
Following the incident, Grande and Erivo continued with the premiere, Erivo offering a steadying presence as they walked the carpet. The actresses’ close bond was evident in their shared experience.
Social media exploded with praise for Erivo’s swift and protective actions. Many users highlighted her unwavering dedication to Grande, noting she reacted faster than the security team.
Comments flooded in, celebrating Erivo as a true friend and expressing gratitude for her courage. The incident sparked a conversation about fan entitlement and the importance of protecting performers.
Despite the disruption, the premiere of *Wicked* proceeded as planned, with Grande, Erivo, and Yeoh continuing their promotional appearances, a testament to their professionalism and resilience.
