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Australian man sentenced to nine days in prison for assaulting Ariana Grande
A Singapore court has sentenced 26-year-old Australian national Johnson Wen to nine days in prison after he grabbed pop star Ariana Grande during the Asia premiere of Wicked: For Good last Thursday, prosecutors confirmed Monday.
Wen was convicted of public nuisance following the high-profile incident, which saw him breach security barriers, rush toward Grande, and seize her shoulders while jumping repeatedly. The altercation was captured in widely circulated social media footage, showing a visibly startled Grande before co-star Cynthia Erivo intervened, physically removing Wen and handing him over to security personnel.
Incident sparks public outrage and legal action
The confrontation triggered widespread condemnation in Singapore, with calls for Wen's arrest and deportation. Critics accused him of "re-traumatizing" Grande, referencing the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing during her concert-a terror attack that killed 22 and left hundreds injured. Grande has since spoken openly about her struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Court proceedings revealed Wen had attempted to intrude on the premiere twice. After his initial removal by security, he tried to breach the barricades a second time but was subdued and detained. Police arrested him the following day, charging him under Singapore's public nuisance laws, which carry penalties of up to three months' imprisonment, a S$2,000 (US$1,537) fine, or both.
History of disruptions and online notoriety
Prosecutors described Wen as a "serial intruder" who documented his stunts-including disrupting concerts by Katy Perry and The Weeknd, as well as invading sports fields-to amass online attention. Australian media reports indicate he faces bans from certain venues and has accrued substantial fines for prior offenses.
During mitigation, Wen, who represented himself in court, told the judge he would "not do it again." Prosecutors had sought a one-week jail term, citing his repeated misconduct and the deliberate publicity of his actions. Wen had earlier posted videos of the Grande incident on social media, declaring himself "free" and thanking the singer.
Reactions and aftermath
Grande has not publicly addressed the incident but has continued appearances, including events in Los Angeles over the weekend. Meanwhile, Erivo indirectly referenced the altercation in a recent interview, stating: "We have come through some stuff in our lives... even this last week, let's be honest," hinting at the ordeal shared with her co-star.
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Legal context in Singapore
Singapore's strict public order laws treat such disruptions as criminal offenses, with penalties designed to deter repeat violations. Wen's sentence, though shorter than the maximum, reflects the court's stance on protecting public figures and maintaining event security, legal observers noted.
