Cynthia Erivo has spoken out about the terrifying moment Ariana Grande was ambushed by a troll during Wicked’s Singapore premiere last week.
Last Thursday, the duo hit the red carpet at the premiere for Wicked: For Good, the sequel to last year’s movie based on the famous stage show, during which Ariana, who plays Glinda, was ambushed by a self-professed ‘troll’.
A terrified Ariana was struck by Johnson Wen, who stormed the red carpet, leading to an incensed Cynthia, who plays Elphaba, overtaking security and pushing him away. Johnson has since been given nine days jail time for the act.
Cynthia and Ariana appeared at a special Screen Actors Guild screening in Los Angeles on Saturday, during which the former spoke about how the movie helps make people ‘feel safe’ – before giving a nod to last week’s ordeal.
She said: ‘I mean, f**k, even this last week. Let’s be honest, for f**k’s sakes, we’ve had to really deal with some stuff, and this movie has allowed us to really grow as people, as friends, as sisters, as artists, as actresses.’
Cynthia Erivo has spoken out about the terrifying moment Ariana Grande was ambushed by a troll during Wicked’s Singapore premiere last week
Cynthia and Ariana appeared at a special Screen Actors Guild screening in Los Angeles on Saturday, during which the former spoke about how the movie helps make people ‘feel safe’ – before giving a nod to last week’s ordeal
Last Thursday, the duo hit the red carpet at the premiere for Wicked: For Good, the sequel to last year’s movie based on the famous stage show, during which Ariana, who plays Glinda, was ambushed by a self-professed ‘troll’
Last week, Johnson — the online prankster known as Pyjama Man — blew past security at Universal Studios and latched onto Ariana, wrapping an arm around her as she struggled to pull away – prior to Cynthia’s lightning speed reactions.
Cynthia immediately jumped in, shouting at Wen while throwing herself between him and Grande as security tackled the intruder and dragged him off. Ariana was left visibly shaken on the carpet.
Hours later, Wen uploaded a chilling selfie with manic eyes, pointing at a Grande poster and bragging, ‘I finally met Ariana Grande tonight.’
Despite contiuing of their tireless promo trail, Ariana and Cynthia were yet to reference the attack, before Cynthia’s heartfelt speech.
On the magic of Wicked, she said: ‘What’s even more wonderful is the fact that there are other people who have seen themselves in this movie, in that character, and also now see themselves and feel safe…
‘That, for me, is the pinnacle of what I could ever wish for from any piece of work I have ever done. And I am so glad that in order to do it, I had to look into the eyes of this person beside me…
‘We have come through some stuff in our lives, in our daily workings…
Last week, Johnson — the online prankster known as Pyjama Man — blew past security at Universal Studios and latched onto Ariana, wrapping an arm around her as she struggled to pull away – prior to Cynthia’s lightning speed reactions
Grande as Glinda Upland (left) and Erivo as Elphaba Thropp (right) in Wicked: For Good
Erivo’s heroics (left) have been compared to the actions of Kevin Costner in Hollywood blockbuster The Bodyguard (right)
‘I mean, f**k, even this last week. Let’s be honest, for f**k’s sakes, we’ve had to really deal with some stuff, and this movie has allowed us to really grow as people, as friends, as sisters, as artists, as actresses.’
After the ambush, Cynthia’s reactions earned her a flood of memes after she rescued Ariana when she was on hand to pull her from the ensuing melee, with many fans comparing her actions to those of Kevin Costner in The Bodyguard.
Taking to Instagram on Friday morning, fans heaped praise on the British actress for risking her own safety while assisting her co-star.
Sharing a brief video of the incident, one commented: ‘Now THAT’S friendship. WOW. Pretty’s scary stuff but having a friend like that leap into action? I’m sensing a Bodyguard reboot! PS There was so much security. How did this even happen?’
Commenting on the post, fans penned: ‘That’s a true friend. She didn’t even think for herself she sprung to protect. Cynthia was Amazing! If she ever needs a job outside of Acting Security is her gig….
Thursday’s premiere in Singapore went awry after Grande was ambushed by an over-exuberant fan while walking the red carpet outside Universal Studios
Girl, if there something you don’t do is, to mes with a Capricorn’s friend in front of them. Mama Bear Mode in nano seconds…’ [sic]
Sharing a photo of the actress looking furious as she wrapped a protective arm around Grande, another commented: ‘Cynthia Erivo is a 6x threat: Singer, Actress, Dancer, Writer, Model, BODYGUARD. As if I couldn’t possibly LOVE her more.’
The filmed incident, which was shared widely online, showed the man lunging at Grande and putting his arm around her, as she struggled to get away outside Singapore’s Universal Studios.
Following the event, the prankster was quickly identified as notorious Australian red carpet crasher Johnson Wen, who is also known as Pyjama Man online.
He has shared videos after accosting other celebrities such as Katy Perry, The Weeknd and electronic duo The Chainsmokers in a similar manner during their gigs.
He later shared clips from the moment on his Instagram Story, writing: ‘Dear Ariana Grande Thank You for letting me Jump on the Yellow Carpet with You.’
Eerie videos taken before he jumped over a barricade to see Grande show him saying it is his ‘dream’ to meet the actress.
Grande as Glinda Upland (left) and Erivo as Elphaba Thropp (right) in Wicked: For Good
Standing underneath a poster of the actress in Wicked, he says: ‘I feel like I’m in a dream. That’s my best friend Ariana Grande and I’m going to meet her. I’ve been dreaming about that’, before doing a theatrical laugh.
On Monday, he was sentenced to nine days behind bars for the act. According to the Singaporean paper The Straits Times, the judge said that Wen had planned the disturbing move to get hits on social media.
Wen was also called a ‘serial intruder’ by prosecutors.
Addressing Wen, district judge Christopher Goh said: ‘You seem to be attention-seeking, thinking only of yourself, and not the safety of others, when committing these acts.’
