Serial intruder grabs Ariana Grande at Wicked premiere in Singapore
Co-star Cynthia Erivo protected Grande from Pyjama Man, who was escorted out by security after the incident
The Oscar nominees were walking down a yellow brick road-inspired carpet, holding hands with co-star Michelle Yeoh and posing for fans, when a man screamed and hopped the barricade, according to fan footage. The man then wrapped an arm around 32-year-old Grande, only for Erivo, 38, and a guard to cut in.
Erivo then encased the pop star in a protective hug at the Universal Studios Singapore event, as did Academy Award winner Yeoh, 63.
TMZ reported that the man – who was ultimately escorted out by security, encouraged by other fans’ booing – is likely the self-proclaimed “troll” known as Pyjama Man, who posted a 10-second clip of the interaction on TikTok.
Authorities on Friday charged an Australian man with “being a public nuisance”, Singapore court documents posted online showed.
Grande is not the first to find herself in the viral clutches of Pyjama Man’s stunts, which tend to involve barging on to a stage, much to the shock of unsuspecting performers, which have included the Weeknd and the Chainsmokers.