Cynthia Erivo Defends Ariana Grande from Aggressive Man at Premiere

A significant incident occurred at the Wicked premiere in Singapore on November 20, 2023, when a man charged at pop superstar Ariana Grande. The situation escalated quickly, but her co-star Cynthia Erivo intervened heroically, demonstrating a protective instinct that has since garnered widespread admiration.

As Grande was walking the red carpet, a 26-year-old man identified as Johnson Wen leaped over a barricade and approached her aggressively. Eyewitnesses reported that he put an arm around her neck and grabbed her shoulder. Erivo’s swift response involved physically prying him off Grande, shouting at him to refrain from touching her. This act of bravery not only ensured Grande’s safety but also showcased Erivo’s commitment to her friend.

Cynthia Erivo Shares Her Experience

In a subsequent interview with Today, Erivo reflected on the incident, describing her reaction as purely instinctual. “I wasn’t really thinking,” she told host Savannah Guthrie. “I just wanted to make sure my friend was safe.” She emphasized her immediate concern for Grande, adding, “That was my first instinct, yeah.”

By the time security personnel arrived to remove Wen from the scene, Erivo had already positioned herself protectively around Grande. “I’m sure he didn’t mean us harm, but you never know with those things,” she remarked. “We’ve really looked after each other in this.”

Consequences for Johnson Wen

The aggressive behavior exhibited by Wen resulted in legal action. Singapore police arrested him on charges of being a “public nuisance.” He has since been sentenced to nine days in jail. This is not Wen’s first encounter with law enforcement; he had previously been arrested for stage-crashing a concert by Katy Perry earlier in the summer, where he also faced accusations of inappropriate contact.

The premiere event was the final stop on the international press tour for Wicked, leading up to the film’s theatrical release on November 21, 2023. The film is highly anticipated, following the success of its first installment, which broke box-office records and received Oscars for best costume design and best production design.

Erivo’s actions at the premiere serve as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of public appearances, particularly for high-profile celebrities. Her quick thinking and decisive action undoubtedly prevented what could have been a far more dangerous situation.

For further insights, viewers can watch Erivo’s full interview on Today.