Influencer Jailed and Deported After Red Carpet Ambush
An Australian social media influencer, labelled as 'attention-seeking' by authorities, has been deported from Singapore after he accosted global superstar Ariana Grande on a red carpet. Johnson Wen, 26, was sent back to Australia on November 23, 2025, and has been officially barred from re-entering the city-state.
The incident occurred on the evening of November 13 during the Asian premiere of the film Wicked: For Good at Universal Studios in Singapore. As Grande walked the carpet alongside her co-star Cynthia Erivo, Wen vaulted over a barricade and lunged at the singer, placing his arm around her as she visibly struggled to break free.
A Pattern of Disruptive Behaviour
This was not an isolated event for Wen, who is also known online as 'Pyjama Man'. Singaporean District Judge Christopher Goh described the act as premeditated, citing Wen's history of disrupting major events. Footage from before the incident showed Wen stating it was his 'dream' to meet Grande, whom he referred to as his 'best friend'.
Following the ambush, Wen was arrested on November 14 and charged with being a public nuisance. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to nine days in jail on November 17. At the time of his sentencing, he had already served four days, leaving five more to complete.
Judge Goh told Wen he 'seem to be attention seeking, thinking only of yourself and not the safety of others'. He emphasised the need to send a signal that such acts, which threaten Singapore's reputation as a safe country, will not be tolerated.
History of Gatecrashing Celebrities and Events
Wen has built a notorious online persona as an 'invader' and 'troll most hated'. His record of gatecrashing includes several high-profile incidents:
- Being pulled off-stage at a The Chainsmokers concert in Sydney in July.
- Ambushing singer Katy Perry on a Sydney stage in June.
- Crashing a The Weeknd concert in Melbourne in August.
- Disrupting major sporting events, including delaying the 100m Olympic Final in Paris 2024 and attempting to streak at the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2023.
An Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) spokesman confirmed the deportation and re-entry ban, stating the case had been handled according to Singaporean law. The maximum penalty for his offence could have been three months in jail, a fine of $1,500, or both.
