A So-Called Social Media Influncer Caused a Security Scare at the, "Wicked: For Good Premiere," and is Emblematic of a Bigger Problem

There is someone who is, "Famous," on social media, and their whole M.O. seems to be running up to celebrities so they can harass/scare/assault them. Pyjama Man is his name, and he's done this kind of idiotic behavior at a Katy Perry concert as well as to The Weeknd. Whether someone is famous or a regular person, they deserve to be left alone in peace in public. When a celeb is sitting at a table to sign autographs or such, go up and say hi! When they're shopping at the grocery store, however? It is probably best to leave them alone or simply compliment their work if they notice you staring at them, and then leave them alone. A random person who isn't famous doesn't deserve these weird social media trends where so-called, "Influencers," pull pranks or embarrass somebody. Should someone consent to being filmed for one of those silly videos where they get a suitcase with $1,000 or can give a suitcase with $10,000 to a stranger, that's okay, they gave consent! Running up on somebody and harassing them for your TikTok or Instagram, "Likes," is awful behavior, whether it is a lady shopping for apples or a celebrity. Which brings us back to Pyjama Man.

Ariana Grande was at the, "Wicked: For Good," premiere in Singapore, and a random man charged at her, grabbed her by the shoulders, and was quickly shoved off by Cynthia Erivo and others. It was Pyjama Man. I am impressed by how Cynthia did not hesitate for a second to help her friend and that she moved faster than security! Grande has already spoken previously about having PTSD and anxiety in large social situations after the 2017 bombing of her Manchester concert, which killed 22 people. Whether she has previous trauma or not, however, she isn't a prop for Pyjama Man to use in the interest of getting famous for being an idiot. Whether he's assaulting celebs, streaking on soccer fields, or otherwise being a menace, this fool is rewarded with internet, "Likes," and followers. How he has avoided extensive time in jail astounds me (for this incident, he was charged with being a public nuisance), but this isn't just about Pyjama Man. He is a symptom of the disease. That disease? A desire to be famous at any cost for any reason.

This idiot repeatedly getting past security is alarming, not funny.

People will post the dumbest, silliest, and most inane things in hopes of going, "Viral," and getting rich. The attention span of the internet and social media seems to have only shrunk over the years so if you don't strike a nerve hard and fast, and then keep striking nerves, you'll fade away from people's minds quickly, it seems. This leads to desperation and people acting like a menace in the name of winning the internet in some fashion. Why do something cool and harmless that gets 100 likes when you can run up to strangers and smash a pie in their face (or anything else) for 100,000 likes? It is sad, but that's how people think. At what point does it get dangerous, however? 

Pyjama man didn't have a knife or a gun, but he was able to run right up on Grande and physically touch her roughly before he was stopped. What if the next Pyjama Man wannabe thinks it would be a hoot to punch someone famous? They could very well end up hurting a celebrity or getting tazed/shot/etc. themselves. Pestering or assaulting anyone in the name of getting, "Known," on the internet is moronic, full stop. Getting permission to film people or doing a gentle prank with your friends is fine, but leave strangers alone, whether they're popular (a little, "Wicked," pun there for you all) or not.