A man who leapt over a barricade and grabbed actress Ariana Grande at the Wicked: For Good premiere in Singapore has been charged with public nuisance.
In a widely shared video, the Australian man, Johnson Wen, is seen forcing his way past photographers and sprinting toward Grande as the cast walked a yellow carpet surrounded by cheering fans.
Co-star Cynthia Erivo quickly intervened, pulling the shocked actress away from Mr Wen.
The 26-year-old later claimed on Instagram late Thursday that he was “free after being arrested”.
But by Friday afternoon, Singaporean authorities had charged him in court with public nuisance, an incident that has sparked intense backlash across the city-state.
Local outlets reported that Mr Wen, appearing without a lawyer, intends to plead guilty.
Mr Wen, who labels himself a “Troll Most Hated” online, has interrupted high-profile events before.
His Instagram page features videos of him gate-crashing celebrity moments, including leaping on stage during Katy Perry’s Sydney concert in June and disrupting a performance by The Chainsmokers last December.
A conviction could bring a fine of up to S$2,000 ($1,540; £1,170).
Outraged fans had earlier demanded his arrest and deportation.
“There needs to be action [taken] against him as this is clearly a criminal offence,” one Instagram user commented on a video Mr Wen himself shared.
“Oh wow so you do this a lot… how aren’t you in jail?” another user wrote.
Several criticised him for potentially triggering Grande, who has previously spoken about suffering PTSD after the 2017 suicide bombing at her Manchester concert that killed 22 people and injured hundreds.
“Ariana has been through so many scary things… and at her Manchester concert and you thought it would be fun to jump the barricade?” another Instagram user wrote.
Others questioned security protocols at the Singapore premiere, while some urged social media platforms to block Mr Wen’s content.
In various clips online, Grande appears visibly stunned as the intruder grabs her. Co-stars Michelle Yeoh and Erivo are seen comforting her before Mr Wen is removed by security.
Grande has not commented publicly, and the premiere continued without further disruption.
The BBC has contacted Singapore’s police and immigration authorities for a response.
Hundreds of fans, many dressed in shades of green and pink, packed the mall hosting the Asia-Pacific premiere — some queuing for more than eight hours for a glimpse of the stars.
The upcoming film, releasing on 21 November, is the second instalment of the two-part adaptation of the hit Broadway and West End musical Wicked, which follows the unlikely friendship between two contrasting witches.
The musical itself draws inspiration from the 1900 classic The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
Grande, portraying Glinda the Good Witch, attended the event in a champagne-pink sequined dress.
Erivo, who plays the Wicked Witch, appeared in a black tube gown adorned with rose embroidery. They were accompanied by co-star Jeff Goldblum, who plays the Wizard.
The first film, Wicked, released in 2024, became the United Kingdom’s highest-grossing movie of the year and earned 10 Oscar nominations, winning two, for Best Costume Design and Best Production Design.
