Celebrities interact with strangers regularly. Be it posing for cameras or while meeting fans. However, it might not all be pleasant if you’re a coveted female star. But for this ‘stage invader’, neither gender nor profession matters.
In a shocking incident yesterday, during ‘Wicked’ promotions, Ariana Grande was approached by an infamous fan. Australian by origin, he calls himself the ‘pyjama man’. While greeting several fans, among them a man suddenly jumped a barricade and grabbed the star by the neck and shoulders. As the video went viral, the Internet couldn’t help but praise her co-star Cynthia Erivo’s reaction to jump and save Grande.
The security escorted the shaken actress, following which the man was arrested, charged with creating a public nuisance, but later released, as per the BBC. It was also reported that Pyjama Man or Johnson Wen was fined over $1500. After his release, he proudly shared on social media how he was released after ‘finally meeting’ Ariana Grande.
Who is Johnson Wen?
Going by the name of Pyjama Man on social media, he mentions his official name as Johnson Wen on Instagram. Calling himself a ‘troll most hated’ he also proudly declared himself as the ‘2023 World Cup Pitch Invader’. His bio also reads, ‘Ariana Grande is the Queen.’
Wen’s attack on Kohli
The Pyjama Man was also present at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad during the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup final. During the India vs Australia match, he somehow crossed security and charged towards Virat Kohli to hug him. Sharing his patent dialogue after every attack, he wrote, ‘Virat Kohli, thanks for letting me stay on the field…’
Similarly, he also wrote after approaching Ariana Grande without her consent, thanking her. He wrote, “Dear Ariana Grande Thank You for letting me Jump on the Yellow Carpet with You.” His social media account openly displays his encounters with big-name artists like Katy Perry, The Weeknd, the Chainsmokers, and even at the FIFA World Cup 2023.