‘Wicked’ Star Ariana Grande Seized at Universal Studios, Arrest Update Given

The yellow carpet at Universal Studios Singapore was supposed to serve as a celebratory waypoint on Wicked: For Good’s global rollout. Instead, the moment briefly veered into chaos, leaving attendees startled and the film’s cast confronting an unexpected breach of security.

The sequel — arriving just a year after the warmly received Wicked (2024) — has been positioned as one of Universal’s most significant releases of the year. With awards chatter already building (after Erivo and Grande were arguably robbed at the Oscars for Wicked) and early audience reactions indicating a rare sequel that could outshine its predecessor, the studio has been eager to maintain momentum.

Interest in the musical adaptation remains high as fans await its November 21 debut. Directed once again by Jon Chu, Wicked: For Good picks up with Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande) on opposing sides in Oz. The film includes Broadway staples like “For Good” and “No Good Deed,” but adds two new, character-driven songs – “No Place Like Home” and “The Girl in the Bubble” – for both leads.

Yet the excitement surrounding the film’s global campaign shifted mid-week when attention turned to an incident involving a fan and Ariana Grande during the Singapore premiere.

A Fan Breach Interrupts the Wicked: For Good Premiere

During the November 13 premiere at Universal Studios Singapore, a man — identified online as Johnson Wen — climbed over a barrier and ran toward Grande before grabbing her.

Cynthia Erivo protected Ariana Grande from a crazy person who jumped the barricade during the ‘WICKED: FOR GOOD’ premiere in Singapore.

Cynthia Erivo protected Ariana Grande from a crazy person who jumped the barricade during the ‘WICKED: FOR GOOD’ premiere in Singapore. pic.twitter.com/W3lYuhVKhk

— Film Crave (@_filmcrave) November 13, 2025

Erivo swiftly intervened, shouting “get off her, get off her, don’t touch her” as security forced the man back over the barricade. He remained at the venue, however, and made a second attempt to approach Grande down the yellow carpet before being removed.

Grande appeared visibly shaken, leaning into the support of co-star Michelle Yeoh, who plays Madame Morrible.

Wen is known in Singapore for crashing celebrity events. Nicknamed “Pyjama Man,” he has disrupted concerts by Katy Perry and The Weeknd. After the latter, he admitted, “I know it’s bad, but I didn’t care about the consequences. I was going to do it either way, even though it was really bad to do it.”

Standing before a Wicked poster before the premiere, he had recorded a video declaring, “I feel like I’m in a dream. That’s my best friend Ariana Grande and I’m going to meet her. I’ve been dreaming about that.”

He later posted on Instagram that he had “finally met Ariana Grande” and claimed he had been arrested but was now “free.”

Authorities have since confirmed to Mothership that Wen will be charged with public nuisance on November 14. Possible penalties include three months in jail, a S$2,000 fine, deportation, and a future ban from Singapore.

Fans Rally Behind Ariana Grande Following the Scare

The incident triggered swift backlash online, particularly from fans aware of Grande’s traumatic history. In 2017, a bombing at her Manchester arena concert left 22 people dead. She later described its emotional aftermath, saying, “I’ve always had anxiety… it was the most severe I think it’s ever been.”

Speaking to British Vogue, she reflected on the difficulty of addressing the tragedy. “It’s hard to talk about because so many people have suffered such severe, tremendous loss. … I know those families and my fans, and everyone there experienced a tremendous amount of it as well.”

“I feel like I shouldn’t even be talking about my own experience – like I shouldn’t even say anything,” she added. “I don’t think I’ll ever know how to talk about it and not cry.”

Grande has continued sharing moments from her time in Singapore on Instagram. She did not reference the incident directly but posted photos of herself with Erivo at Universal Studios Singapore, including a lighthearted meet-and-greet with Dolores the Aquilops in the Jurassic Park area.

ariana grande and cynthia erivo at universal studios in singapore ⋆˙⟡

ariana grande and cynthia erivo at universal studios in singapore ⋆˙⟡ pic.twitter.com/x52kkBJ7Mr

— Ariana Grande Today (@ArianaToday) November 14, 2025

Another video shared by attendees showed Grande and Erivo leaving a post-premiere dinner at Resorts World Sentosa without stopping to greet fans. Comments on X, formerly known as Twitter, largely expressed empathy, with many calling the reaction “honestly understandable after what happened.”

The studio has not issued a formal comment, though support for Grande continues to pour in from fans, industry figures, and fellow cast members — a testament to the emotional weight the incident carried.

What are your thoughts on the Wicked: For Good premiere incident?