A 26-year-old Australian man has been permanently banned from Singapore and deported after his attention-seeking rush toward singer Ariana Grande led to a jail sentence and a judge’s rebuke.
Johnson Wen was sent back to Australia on November 23 following his nine-day prison term. Singapore’s Immigration & Checkpoints Authority announced the permanent prohibition on his entry to the country.
Judge Christopher Goh condemned Wen’s actions as a bid for attention. He warned that illegal behavior in Singapore would always carry consequences.
The incident occurred on November 13 at Universal Studios Singapore. Wen, without warning, jumped over barriers during a movie premiere event for “Wicked: For Good.”
He rushed Grande, put his arm around her shoulder, and began dancing. Grande appeared visibly shocked as co-star Cynthia Erivo and security quickly intervened.
As security led him away, Wen turned and attempted to rush the singer again. He was immediately tackled to the ground by officials.
Following his arrest on November 14, Wen posted “free” on Instagram. He also shared clips of the incident on TikTok and Instagram, even thanking Grande, which quickly went viral globally.
Police charged Wen with public nuisance. Investigations revealed a pattern of similar incidents involving the Australian, including at concerts for Katy Perry, The Chainsmokers, and The Weeknd.
Authorities and observers have widely viewed the stringent punishment as a stark warning. It serves as a lesson for those attempting to gain fame or associate with celebrities through inappropriate and unlawful means.