Influencer Johnson Wen, dubbed the "Pyjama Man", was sentenced to nine days in prison for being a public nuisance after he jumped a barricade and grabbed Ariana Grande at the Singapore premiere of Wicked: For Good. Prosecutors described him as a "serial intruder", though he showed little remorse and even thanked Ariana Grande on Instagram.
The incident unfolded on November 13, 2025, on the yellow carpet at Universal Studios Singapore, where Ariana Grande was greeting fans alongside co-stars Cynthia Erivo, Michelle Yeoh and Jeff Goldblum. The 26-year-old Australian vaulted a barricade, rushed at Ariana Grande and wrapped his arms around her shoulders as she recoiled. Cynthia Erivo immediately stepped in, shielding her co-star while security pulled Johnson Wen away. Court documents revealed he had attempted to breach the carpet twice — returning for a second try after being removed, only to be pinned down by staff.
Johnson Wen, who posts as "Pyjama Man," pleaded guilty to causing a public nuisance and was sentenced to nine days' jail. Prosecutors laid out his history: stunts including jumping on stage with Katy Perry at a Sydney concert and rushing the Weeknd, all filmed for social media. Within hours of the Ariana Grande incident, he had uploaded his own footage to Instagram, thanking the singer for "letting" him join the carpet — a post that drew widespread outrage. The judge called his actions premeditated and attention-seeking, warning they carried real consequences. In court, Johnson Wen promised the judge he would "not do it again" — a pledge somewhat undercut by an Instagram feed full of similar stunts, from crashing Katy Perry's Sydney concert to running onto the field at sporting events, for which he has been banned from multiple stadiums.
The case carried extra weight because of Ariana Grande's history: she survived the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing at her concert, which killed 22 people, and prosecutors noted the potential distress of being grabbed by a stranger. Cynthia Erivo was widely praised for her protective instincts; on a later appearance she said she had simply wanted to make sure her friend was safe.
After serving his sentence, Johnson Wen was deported on November 23 and barred by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority from re-entering Singapore. For a self-described "troll" who treated premieres as content opportunities, the nine days in jail and a lifetime ban were Singapore's answer: the show does not go on for serial intruders.