Supporters Demand Custody of Person Who Grabbed Ariana Grande
Devoted fans of Ariana Grande are calling for that a person who leaped a barricade and touched the performer during the recent Wicked: For Good launch be arrested or removed from Singapore.
A viral video reveals the person identified as Johnson Wen bypassing photographers and lunging at Grande while the cast walked down a promenade flanked by fans.
Fellow actress Cynthia Erivo promptly pulled the surprised performer away from Mr Wen, who was observed being escorted out of the gathering by event staff.
Mr Wen shared on Instagram recently that he was "let go after being detained", though legal records indicated that he was set to appear on the next day. It is not clear if he was formally accused.
History of Disruptions
This is not the first time for Mr Wen, who calls himself a "Notorious Troublemaker", has crashed a celebrity gathering. His Instagram account contains recordings of him interrupting other star-studded functions, including breaching the performance area at the artist's Sydney show in June this year and in a like fashion during The Chainsmokers performance in the same location last year.
"Measures must be taken taken against him as this is obviously a criminal offence," stated an Instagram user, in a reply to a video Mr Wen shared of his behavior.
"This appears to be a habit... why are you not imprisoned?" one Instagram user questioned.
Fans Show Disapproval Over Grande's Past Trauma
Many followers blamed Mr Wen for "re-traumatising" Grande, who had revealed suffering from trauma-related anxiety after a terrorist explosion at the conclusion of her spring 2017 show in Manchester, killing 22 people and harming numerous individuals.
"The star has endured numerous terrifying experiences... including the Manchester tragedy, and you believed breaching security was amusing?" wrote a further response on Instagram.
Several supporters also criticised security officers at the premiere for not being vigilant enough; while others requested social media platforms to block Mr Wen's content.
Response and Premiere Information
In clips spreading on the internet, Grande seemed surprised when she was grabbed by the intruder. Her fellow actors Michelle Yeoh and Erivo can be spotted comforting her while Mr Wen was escorted away by guards.
Grande has not issued a statement on the situation, and the remaining proceedings continued without further issues.
Numerous of attendees had assembled in a crowd of colorful attire at the Wicked: For Good regional premiere in a Singapore shopping center, including several who had stood in line for as long as many hours before it commenced.
The movie, to be released on the 21st of November, is the second of a dual adaptation of the acclaimed stage musical Wicked, which revolves around the unexpected bond between two contrasting sorceresses.
The musical itself is a adaptation of the classic children's novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
Grande, who portrays the benevolent sorceress Glinda, was dressed in a champagne pink sequin dress at the gathering while Erivo, who portrays the wicked witch, wore a elegant ensemble decorated with roses.
They were joined by co-star Jeff Goldblum.
The initial film, Wicked, was the top-earning movie of last year in the UK, and earned ten Academy Award nods, winning a pair for best costume and set decoration.