Fans Demand Arrest of Man Who Touched Ariana Grande
Passionate supporters of Ariana Grande are urging that a man who leaped a barrier and touched the performer during Thursday's Wicked: For Good launch be arrested or removed from Singapore.
A circulating clip depicts the person identified as Johnson Wen pushing past media personnel and rushing toward Grande while the performers made its way down a yellow carpet flanked by onlookers.
Fellow actress Cynthia Erivo immediately guided the stunned performer away from Mr Wen, who was seen being escorted out of the premiere by security officers.
Mr Wen shared on Instagram recently that he was "free after being taken in", though official papers showed that he was scheduled to attend court on Friday morning. It is unknown if he was formally accused.
History of Disruptions
This is part of a pattern for Mr Wen, who labels himself a "Controversial Figure", has invaded a concert or event. His Instagram feed includes clips of him disturbing other star-studded functions, including breaching the performance area at the pop singer's Sydney concert in recently and in a like fashion during The Chainsmokers performance in the same location last winter.
"There needs to be action applied against him as this is evidently a criminal offence," wrote an Instagram user, in a reply to a video Mr Wen posted of his actions.
"You've done this repeatedly... how are you not behind bars?" one Instagram user wrote.
Fans Show Disapproval Over Ariana's Safety
Numerous followers blamed Mr Wen for "re-traumatising" Grande, who had spoken of experiencing PTSD after a terrorist explosion at the end of her spring 2017 concert in Manchester, resulting in the death of 22 people and injuring numerous individuals.
"The star has endured numerous terrifying experiences... including the Manchester tragedy, and you believed breaching security was amusing?" said another comment on Instagram.
Several fans also criticised event staff at the gathering for not being adequately prepared; while others called for digital services to remove Mr Wen's content.
Aftermath and Event Details
In footage circulating online, Grande appeared shocked when she was touched by the intruder. Her fellow actors Michelle Yeoh and Erivo can be spotted consoling her while Mr Wen was removed by guards.
Grande has not issued a statement on the incident, and the remaining proceedings continued without further issues.
Many of fans had gathered in a sea of colorful attire at the Wicked: For Good Asia-Pacific launch in a Singapore venue, including some who had stood in line for as long as eight hours before it commenced.
The movie, to be launched on 21 November, is the follow-up of a two-part version of the popular Broadway and West End show Wicked, which centers on the surprising relationship between two contrasting witches.
The production itself is a derivative of the twentieth-century story The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
Grande, who plays the character Glinda Glinda, was dressed in a rosé sequin dress at the premiere while Erivo, who portrays the villainous character, wore a elegant ensemble embroidered with roses.
They were joined by co-star Jeff Goldblum.
The initial film, Wicked, was the top-earning film of last year in the UK, and received ten Oscar nominations, earning several for excellent wardrobe and set decoration.