SINGAPORE — An Australian man who rushed onstage and grabbed singer Ariana Grande at the Asian premiere of “Wicked: For Good” has been sentenced to nine days in jail, according to multiple news reports.
Johnson Wen, 26, went viral last week after he jumped a barricade and approached Grande during the event at Universal Studios Singapore. Wen was found guilty of being a public nuisance, the BBC reported.
Wen was charged in court days after the incident. Prosecutors said he faced up to three months in jail or a fine of more than $1,500.
This was not the first time Wen has faced legal trouble for similar incidents. His Instagram account includes videos showing him rushing stages and making physical contact with artists at various concerts, including performances by The Weeknd and the Chainsmokers. In June, he was arrested after a similar incident involving Katy Perry.
Following the incident with Grande, Wen told his followers on social media that he had been arrested and released. Video footage from the event showed Grande appearing startled as Wen approached and grabbed her shoulder. Cynthia Erivo, Grande’s co-star in “Wicked,” attempted to intervene before security personnel pinned Wen to the floor and removed him from the venue.
Grande has not publicly commented on the incident. After the premiere, she posted twice on Instagram, expressing appreciation for Singapore.
“Wicked: For Good” is set to premiere in theaters worldwide on Nov. 21, following a series of international screenings in São Paulo, Paris and London.