Cynthia Erivo Steps in as Ariana Grande’s Bodyguard After Man Charges at Her on ‘Wicked’ Red Carpet
At an otherwise joyful celebration of Wicked in Singapore for the second film’s Asian premiere on Thursday (Nov. 13), a scary moment took place when someone in the crowd charged at Ariana Grande and forced Cynthia Erivo to step in as her costar’s bodyguard.
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In videos of the incident captured at the event, the two leading ladies walk the red carpet at the event alongside Michelle Yeoh, who also stars in the Wicked films, when a man suddenly jumps over the barricade and runs directly at Grande. After reaching the pop star, he forcefully puts his hands on her shoulders and wraps an unwanted arm around her neck, with Grande looking terrified.
Immediately, Erivo springs into action, rushing to tear the man away from Grande while Yeoh makes sure the R.E.M. Beauty founder is okay. Footage from the moments afterward shows three different security officials pinning the aggressor to the ground before hauling him away.
Billboard has reached out to Grande and Erivo’s reps for comment on the incident.
Upon further investigation, the culprit appears to be Johnson Wen — not that it takes much to identify him, given the fact that he’s since bragged about the incident on his Instagram page. Identifying himself as “Troll Most Hated,” the prankster has also posted videos of himself rushing on stage at various concerts, to the shock of artists such as The Weeknd and the Chainsmokers.
On his Story, Wen shared that he’d been arrested and subsequently released after charging at Grande. It wouldn’t be the first time he’s been apprehended for such startling behavior; just a few months ago, he was arrested for running on stage and putting hands on Katy Perry at her June concert in Singapore.
Despite the terrifying encounter, Grande and Erivo — oftentimes holding hands — appeared to enjoy the remainder of the event at Universal Studios Singapore. It followed similar recent premieres in São Paulo, Paris and London.
Wicked: For Good hits theaters worldwide on Nov. 21.
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