Man Who Approached Ariana Grande at Premiere Prohibited from Singapore
An individual of Australian nationality who vaulted over a barricade and reached for actress Ariana Grande has been expelled and barred from Singapore.
Johnson Wen, 26, was given a sentence to nine days in detention for being a public nuisance and has now been "barred from re-entering Singapore," the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority informed news outlets.
He forced his way past photographers and charged at the celebrity, who was participating in the regional launch for the film on 13 November. Co-performer Cynthia Erivo intervened to remove him from Grande.
The individual has a record of disrupting concerts and star-studded occasions, including rushing the stage at a Katy Perry performance in Sydney in this summer.
The occurrence provoked strong reactions in Singapore, with many claiming he of causing further distress to the star.
The celebrity has discussed dealing with PTSD after a suicide bomb attack at her concert in the English city in several years ago resulted in the deaths of over twenty people and hurt numerous attendees.
Throughout the court proceedings, the court heard he had made efforts to breach on the red carpet event multiple times, according to Singaporean media.
He then made a another effort to cross the barriers. Security staff stopped him and pinned him down.
He then uploaded recordings expressing gratitude to the star for allowing his presence and said he was "released."
Police took him into custody the subsequent day and brought charges against him with public nuisance, to which Wen pleaded guilty.
The District Judge Christopher Goh was referenced by media reports as stating that the man sought attention, commenting that he was incorrect to assume he would not face any penalties.
Grande has not addressed the case.
Erivo mentioned the incident to NBC, saying that she "just wanted to verify my friend was protected."
"I'm sure he didn't intend us danger, but you never know with those things, and I aimed to make sure that she was alright. That was my initial reaction," she stated.
