Cynthia Erivo is earning widespread praise after a shocking red-carpet incident revealed just how fiercely she shows up for the people she loves, that person being ‘Wicked’ co-star Ariana Grande.
Full story below…
In a scene straight out of a blockbuster (horror), Grande and Erivo found themselves at the center of real-life drama when a man suddenly leapt the barricade and lunged towards Grande, but Erivo’s swift protective response stole the spotlight.
Speaking to TODAY, Erivo downplayed the moment, saying:
“I wasn’t really thinking. I just wanted to make sure my friend was safe. I wanted to make sure that she was OK, that was my first instinct, yeah.”
The assailant, 26-year-old Johnson Wen, was arrested and later sentenced to 9 days in jail for public nuisance as part of a pattern following past on-stage altercations.
The frightening moment unfolded at the final stop of the ‘Wicked: For Good’ global press tour, just ahead of the film’s highly anticipated release.
![Movie Trailer: 'Relationship Goals' [Starring Kelly Rowland & Method Man]](https://thatgrapejuice.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Kelly-rowland-method-man-relationship-goals-tgj-464x260.jpg)
of course. Angry Black woman instinct, we got it!