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A frightening moment unfolded at the Singapore premiere of Wicked: For Good when Ariana Grande was rushed by a fan on the yellow carpet — and her co-star Cynthia Erivo instantly stepped in to shield her.
Grande was walking the carpet alongside Erivo, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, and director Jon M. Chu at Universal Studios Singapore when a man suddenly jumped over the barricade and wrapped his arm around her. The unexpected contact startled the singer and those nearby, but Erivo reacted in seconds, pulling the man away as security rushed to restrain him.
Videos shared online show fans shouting in shock as Erivo and Yeoh comforted Grande, who appeared visibly shaken. The intruder was later identified as Johnson Wen — known on social media as "Pyjama Man" — a self-described prankster notorious for storming concerts and events, including shows by Katy Perry and The Weeknd earlier this year.
Fans quickly praised Erivo for her instinctive response, calling her a "real-life protector" and noting that she seemed to move faster than the actual security team. "Cynthia don't play 'bout Ari," one user wrote on X, while another added, "She's the kind of friend everyone needs."
The incident highlighted the close friendship between the two Wicked stars, who have spoken often about their connection during the film's press tour. Grande has described working with Erivo as one of the most meaningful experiences of her career, calling her "the greatest singer in the world" and saying she felt "held and supported" throughout the filming process.
Erivo has echoed those feelings, explaining that she and Grande share a deep mutual understanding both on and off set. "We could always have this ongoing conversation about what we needed as the days went on," she said in a past interview.
Following the incident, security tightened for the remainder of the premiere, which continued without further disruptions. Wicked: For Good, directed by Jon M. Chu, is set to hit theaters worldwide on November 21.
