Cynthia Erivo intervened at the Singapore premiere of Wicked: For Good after a man rushed co-star Ariana Grande on the yellow carpet. The incident occurred when the individual jumped over a barricade and forcibly put an arm around Grande, prompting immediate action from security. Erivo stepped in to separate Grande from the man, who was subsequently removed from the event. Alongside Erivo, actress Michelle Yeoh was also seen comforting Grande, who appeared visibly shaken by the encounter.
The man involved, identified as Johnson Wen—a social media personality known as "Pyjama Man"—has been charged with being a public nuisance by a Singapore court. He faces a potential fine of approximately $2,160 Canadian if found guilty. Wen has a history of similar disruptive behavior at events, including those featuring other artists like Katy Perry and The Weeknd. Following the incident, Wen posted a video of the encounter on his Instagram, thanking Grande for the moment, which drew significant backlash from the public. Many social media users condemned his actions, labeling them as harassment and assault, with numerous comments urging others to report his account.
As the media tour for Wicked: For Good continues, the film is set to be released in theaters on November 21, 2024. The story explores the complex friendship between Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda, the Good Witch of the North, as it unfolds in the Land of Oz. The premiere marked a significant event in the film's promotional campaign.