A Singapore court has sentenced an Australian man to nine days in jail for rushing film star Ariana Grande at the Asian premiere of Wicked: For Good last week.

The incident occurred at Universal Studios Singapore when the man, identified as 26-year-old Johnson Wen, jumped a barricade and put his arm around Grande, causing alarm among the cast and audience.

Video footage shows Wen wrapping his arm around a visibly shocked Grande, before being quickly restrained by security.

Co-star Cynthia Erivo stepped in to protect Grande, highlighting the importance of ensuring safety at public events. Wen was arrested and charged with “being a public nuisance,” to which he pleaded guilty.

Singapore District Judge Christopher Goh described the act as premeditated and part of a pattern of disruptive behaviour, stressing that actions of this nature carry serious consequences.

Wen was advised to reflect on his behaviour and its impact on the safety of others.

Despite the incident, the premiere continued as planned, with the cast supporting Grande along the yellow carpet.

The episode also serves as a reminder of the broader responsibility of respecting personal space and safety, particularly for public figures, and the need to foster a culture of consideration and respect in public spaces.