Man who grabbed Ariana Grande at Singapore premiere jailed

A man who grabbed Ariana Grande on the red carpet at the Wicked: For Good premiere in Singapore has been jailed for nine days.

The incident happened on 13 November when 26-year-old Australian national Johnson Wen — known online as “Pyjama Man” — leapt over a barricade as Grande posed for photos at the Asia-Pacific premiere of the film. Witnesses said the singer appeared visibly shocked as Wen lunged towards her and grabbed her around the neck and shoulder area before security intervened.

Co-star Cynthia Erivo quickly stepped in, placing herself between Wen and Grande as guards pulled him away. Wen then attempted a second breach moments later, forcing security to remove him from the carpet entirely. He later posted footage of the attack on Instagram, thanking Grande for “letting me jump on the yellow carpet with you”, prompting widespread criticism.

Wen was arrested and charged with being a public nuisance. In court on Monday, he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to nine days in prison — two more than prosecutors requested. District Judge Christopher Goh said the stunt appeared pre-planned and was part of a pattern of attention-seeking behaviour, adding that Wen had shown “little regard for the safety and emotional wellbeing of others”.

Singapore’s strict public-order laws allow for up to three months in jail for such offences, and the judge stressed that the sentence was intended to deter similar behaviour, particularly at high-profile events.

The incident has reignited debate around celebrity security, especially given Grande’s history as a survivor of the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing. Fans and commentators noted the potential emotional impact of such a confrontation, even in a controlled, red-carpet environment.

A representative for Wicked: For Good said the cast were “deeply grateful” to security teams for their swift action, while Erivo shared a message of support online, telling fans that Grande was “safe, shaken, but incredibly strong”.

Wen is expected to serve his full sentence immediately. Authorities in Singapore have not indicated whether he will face any further penalties upon release.