What punishment did the man who rushed at Ariana Grande receive? Judge condemned his “attention-seeking” act

16th Governors Awards - Source: Getty
16th Governors Awards - Source: Getty

A Singapore court has handed a nine-day jail sentence to Australian social media personality Johnson Wen after he rushed the red carpet and grabbed Ariana Grande during the premiere of Wicked: For Good. The 26-year-old, known online as “Pyjama Man,” pleaded guilty to a public nuisance charge. The judge sharply criticized his actions, calling them premeditated and attention-seeking, and warned that they were not without consequences.

Wen’s stunt played out at Universal Studios Singapore on November 13, when Ariana Grande and her Wicked co-stars, including Cynthia Erivo and Michelle Yeoh, were greeting fans along the so-called yellow carpet. Security quickly intervened, and Erivo courageously stepped in between Wen and Ariana Grande, helping to break his grip before guards removed him. But Wen returned for a second attempt, only to be pinned down by staff.

What punishment did the man who rushed at Ariana Grande receive?

Wen was formally charged with being a public nuisance. Originally, he faced a lesser count under Section 290(a) of Singapore’s Penal Code. But the prosecution upgraded the charge to Section 290(b), which carries tougher penalties up to three months’ jail, a fine of S$2,000, or both.

When his case came to court, Wen appeared via video link, dressed in a simple white shirt. He admitted he knew his behavior would annoy the public, and that he deliberately jumped over the barricades to get to ArianaGrande. The prosecution described him as a “serial intruder” who seeks attention online a pattern, they said, repeated across other high-profile events.

Judge Christopher Goh didn’t mince words. He called his act “premeditated,” warning Wen that thinking his stunts would pass without consequence was a mistake. The judge also pointed out Wen’s lack of genuine remorse, noting that Wen later posted on Instagram that he was “free” after the incident.

In handing down the nine-day sentence, the judge said he hoped it would send a message not just to Wen, but to others who might be tempted to pull similar stunts.

In the end, Wen’s jail time may be short, but the court’s rebuke was firm. He was not treated as a harmless fan, but as someone who knowingly endangered the dignity of a public event. The sentence also reflects how seriously Singapore treats such disruptions even when they’re committed, as here, in the name of celebrity obsession.

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Edited by Heba Arshad