Cynthia Erivo steps in to protect Ariana Grande on 'Wicked: For Good' premiere in Singapore
Washington DC, November 21
Actress Cynthia Erivo acted swiftly to protect singer Ariana Grande when a man attempted to grab her on the red carpet during the 'Wicked: For Good' premiere in Singapore, according to Variety.
Erivo, speaking for the first time about the incident on the "Today" show, said, "I wasn't really thinking. I just wanted to make sure my friend was safe. I'm sure he didn't mean us harm, but you never know with those things. That was my first instinct."
The man, identified as 26-year-old Johnson Wen from Australia, was later found guilty of being a public nuisance in a Singapore court and sentenced to nine days in prison. Court proceedings revealed that Wen tried to intrude on the red carpet twice -- first by rushing at Grande and attempting to grab her, and again after being escorted away by security. Wen pleaded guilty and assured the court he would not repeat the act, according to Variety.
During subsequent press events, neither Erivo nor Grande addressed the incident directly. However, Erivo alluded to the ordeal during a Los Angeles screening, stating, "We have come through some shit... I mean, even this last week, let's be honest."
"Wicked: For Good," starring Erivo and Grande, is currently playing in theatres nationwide, distributed by Universal Pictures, according to Variety.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Singapore's strict laws are commendable - only 9 days in prison seems too lenient for such behavior. In India, we need similar swift justice for public safety issues. Security at events must be more vigilant.
As an expat living in Mumbai, I appreciate how celebrities face these security challenges globally. Cynthia's instinct to protect her colleague shows true professionalism beyond just acting.
While I admire Cynthia's quick action, I'm concerned about the growing trend of fans crossing boundaries. We need better crowd management and mental health awareness about celebrity obsession.
So proud of how these talented women handled the situation with grace! Can't wait to watch Wicked this weekend with my friends. Their bond seems genuine both on and off screen 💖
Respectfully, while Cynthia's action was commendable, the security team should have prevented this from happening in the first place. Professional security protocols need to be more robust at international events.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.