Supporters Urge Detainment of Person Who Touched Ariana Grande
Devoted fans of Ariana Grande are calling for that a individual who breached a barricade and seized the performer during Thursday's Wicked: For Good launch be arrested or deported from Singapore.
A widely shared footage depicts the person identified as Johnson Wen pushing past photographers and rushing toward Grande while the cast made its way down a yellow carpet accompanied by onlookers.
Cast member Cynthia Erivo promptly pulled the shocked actress away from Mr Wen, who was seen being led away of the event by event staff.
Mr Wen shared on Instagram late on Thursday that he was "let go after being arrested", though legal records showed that he was set to be present on the following morning. It is uncertain if he was charged.
Record of Incidents
This is not an isolated incident for Mr Wen, who describes himself as a "Controversial Figure", has disrupted a concert or event. His Instagram account contains videos of him disturbing other star-studded functions, including jumping on stage at Katy Perry's Sydney concert in earlier this year and in a comparable manner during The Chainsmokers concert in the city last December.
"There needs to be action enforced against him as this is evidently a punishable act," wrote an Instagram follower, in a response to a video Mr Wen shared of his actions.
"You've done this repeatedly... how are you not behind bars?" another Instagram user questioned.
Supporters Voice Worry Over the Star's Safety
Numerous supporters blamed Mr Wen for "re-traumatising" Grande, who had revealed dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder after a devastating incident at the finale of her May 2017 show in Manchester, resulting in the death of 22 people and injuring many.
"The star has endured numerous terrifying experiences... including the Manchester tragedy, and you believed breaching security was amusing?" commented a further response on Instagram.
Some supporters also questioned security officers at the Thursday event for not being adequately prepared; while some called for digital services to remove Mr Wen's videos.
Response and Premiere Information
In clips circulating online, Grande looked shocked when she was touched by the individual. Her cast members Michelle Yeoh and Erivo can be spotted reassuring her while Mr Wen was removed by staff.
Grande has remained silent on the event, and the rest of the event continued without further issues.
Many of fans had gathered in a sea of emerald and rose at the Wicked: For Good regional premiere in a Singapore venue, including a number who had waited for as long as a significant duration before it started.
The film, to be released on 21 November, is the sequel of a two-film version of the acclaimed stage show Wicked, which revolves around the unlikely bond between two very different sorceresses.
The production itself is a adaptation of the twentieth-century book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
Grande, who portrays the benevolent sorceress Glinda, was decked out in a rosé glittering gown at the premiere while Erivo, who acts as the villainous character, wore a black tube gown embroidered with roses.
They were alongside cast member Jeff Goldblum.
The initial film, Wicked, was the top-earning motion picture of the previous year in the UK, and received 10 Oscar nominations, earning two for outstanding attire and production design.