A Shocking Moment on the Yellow Carpet
What should have been a magical night turned scary in seconds. On November 13, 2025, the cast of Wicked walked the bright yellow carpet at Universal Studios Singapore. Fans cheered. Cameras flashed. Then, out of nowhere, a young man leaped over the metal barricade and threw his arms around Ariana Grande.
Who was he? Johnson Wen, a 26-year-old Australian who calls himself “Pyjama Man” online. In the video that quickly spread across social media, you can see Cynthia Erivo, Grande’s co-star, push him away fast. Security guards tackled Wen to the ground while Grande stood frozen, clearly shaken.
Why did this feel so much worse than a normal fan rush?
Because Ariana has lived through real terror before. In May 2017, a bomber attacked her concert in Manchester. Twenty-two people—many of them kids—lost their lives. Ariana has talked openly about the nightmares and PTSD that followed. So when a stranger suddenly grabs her, it’s not just “rude.” It can feel like danger all over again.
The Man Behind the Stunt
Johnson Wen is not new to this game. People online already knew him as a “serial stage crasher.” Earlier this year he ran onto the stage during a Katy Perry show in Sydney. He has popped up at Chainsmokers concerts, The Weeknd performances, and even the FIFA Women’s World Cup. On his Instagram, he proudly posts the clips and calls himself “the Most Hated.”
After the Singapore incident, he put up the video himself. In the caption he even thanked Ariana “for letting me jump on the yellow carpet with you.” Most comments were angry. One person wrote, “Rushing any woman is wrong—but rushing someone who has survived a bombing? That’s low.”
What did the judge think?
On Monday, a Singapore court gave Wen nine days in jail for being a public nuisance. The judge called him “attention-seeking.” The prosecutor used stronger words: “serial intruder” with “a glaring lack of remorse.” Wen smiled faintly in court and promised he would stop crashing events. The judge basically answered, “We’ll see about that.”
Singapore doesn’t play around with public order. Even chewing gum can get you in trouble there. Nine days might sound short to some people, but the message was clear: actions have consequences—even for foreigners.
How the Wicked Cast Reacted
Ariana has stayed quiet so far. Her friend and co-star Cynthia Erivo spoke for both of them a few days later at a special screening in Los Angeles. Sitting right next to Ariana, Erivo said softly, “We have come through some stuff this week.” She didn’t name Wen, but everyone understood. She talked about how making Wicked helped them grow stronger together—like sisters.
Is nine days enough punishment?
Some fans say no. They wanted a longer sentence or even a ban from events forever. Others point out that Wen has never hurt anyone physically. Still, safety at red carpets matters more than ever. Remember when Will Smith slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars? Rules got tighter after that. Many venues now use double barricades and more guards.
A Bigger Question About Fame and Boundaries
Why do people keep doing this? Is it just for likes and views? Wen has thousands of followers who watch his crashes like sport. A few even cheer him on. But most internet users are tired of it. They worry that the next “prank” could end differently—someone could get really hurt.
Events cost millions to put on. Stars spend hours getting ready, smiling for photos, signing things for fans who wait politely. When one person decides rules don’t apply, it steals joy from everyone.
Will This Finally Stop Him?
Wen walked out of court saying he’s done with stage crashing. Time will tell. Singapore’s short, sharp punishment sent a message not just to him but to copycats everywhere: even if you got away with it before, one day you won’t.
Fans just hope Ariana and every other artist can walk a carpet—or a stage—without looking over their shoulder.
