Cynthia Erivo went into hero mode, protecting Ariana Grande, at the premiere of “Wicked: For Good” in Singapore. What was meant to be an enchanting evening filled with stunning outfits and vibrant green glamour took an unexpected twist when a man suddenly jumped over a barricade and dashed towards Ariana Grande.
As Ariana walked down the yellow carpet with Cynthia and their co-star Michelle Yeoh, they were all smiles, interacting with the fans gathered by the security rails. Cameras captured the moment as Ariana blew kisses to a supporter to her right. In an instant, a young man burst onto the scene from the left, wrapping his arms around her and bouncing up and down as if they were friends.
Before security could react, Cynthia transformed from a red carpet star into a fierce protector. She swiftly grabbed the man, pulled him away from Ariana, and positioned herself in front of the singer. Meanwhile, Michelle stepped in to comfort Ariana while security finally escorted the intruder away.
Ariana appeared visibly shaken, but Cynthia stayed close, wrapping her arm around her friend’s shoulder and leading her down the carpet until she felt more composed. Those watching the clips online praised Cynthia for her rapid response, highlighting her as the ultimate friend in a moment of chaos.
Later, authorities identified the man as Johnson Wen, an Australian known for crashing celebrity functions, including concerts featuring Katy Perry and The Weeknd. He was arrested and charged with public nuisance, but the story didn’t stop there.
After being released, the same man, who goes by the name Pyjama Man online, took to Instagram to post, “I am free after being arrested.” Social media users quickly made it clear that this was not the kind of bragging he thought it was.
Fans, particularly on Black Twitter, celebrated Cynthia Erivo for her quick thinking, loyalty, and the way she stood up for Ariana. Many observed that her reaction highlighted the bond that had developed between the two stars while filming “Wicked”. From the footage, it’s clear that Cynthia was determined to protect her friend.
Ariana quickly regained her composure, continuing down the carpet with the confidence of someone surrounded by a strong support system. As for Cynthia, she seamlessly went back to shining on the red carpet as if she hadn’t just tackled a real-life drama.
