Ruby Rose Claims Katy Perry Sexually Assaulted Her

On April 12, Ruby Rose alleged that Katy Perry sexually assaulted her at a nightclub in Melbourne almost 20 years ago. Australian police confirmed that they have since opened an investigation into the allegations, which a representative for Perry has denied as “dangerous, reckless” lies.

What did Ruby Rose accuse Katy Perry of?

“Katy Perry sexual assaulted me at spice market nightclub in Melbourne. Who gives a shit what she thinks,” Rose wrote on Threads in response to a Complex post about the singer’s reaction to Justin Bieber’s headlining Coachella set. In various replies, Rose explained what allegedly happened. “She didn’t kiss me. She saw me ‘resting’ on my best friends lap to avoid her and bent down, pulled her underwear to the side and rubbed her disgusting vagina on my face until my eyes snapped open and I projectile vomitted on her,” she wrote. According to Rose, she was in her “early 20s” at the time. “I’m now 40. It has taken almost 2 decades to say this publicly,” she said. “Though I am so grateful to have made it long enough to find my voice, it just shows how much of an impact trauma and sexual assault takes. Thank you for seeing me.”

How did Katy Perry respond?

“The allegations being circulated on social media by Ruby Rose about Katy Perry are not only categorically false, they are dangerous, reckless lies,” Perry’s rep said in an April 13 statement to People. “Ms. Rose has a well-documented history of making serious public allegations on social media against various individuals, claims that have repeatedly been denied by those named.” In response to Perry’s reps, Rose questioned, “Well-documented history of what now? I have never, ever, made serious public allegations on social media like this.”

Perry has yet to directly comment on the claims herself, but she shared a brief message to fans on April 14. “i love you,” she wrote in an Instagram Story alongside the cover art for her 2013 song “By the Grace of God.” 

Did Ruby Rose file a police report?

Yes. Rose initially suggested on Threads that she wasn’t going to bring this matter to law enforcement. In response to a fan who suggested that she was making these allegations because of a past feud over Perry’s song “Swish Swish,” Rose said that she was “not interested” in filing a police report, adding that Perry “is more than welcome to sue me (she won’t, because it happened, I have photos, and it was literally in public and witnessed by multiple people).” But Rose later confirmed that she had gone to a police station, writing, “For years I have been too wounded and afraid to take the appropriate steps because I know the system seldom works.” She said in an April 14 post that she has “finalized” her reports and will no longer be able to speak publicly about “any of the cases” or individuals involved. “It’s going to look like I am ignoring everything from supportive messages, to other people’s experiences, but I’m not,” she said. “This is a standard request from the police and in many ways, quite the relief.”

What’s the latest update on the police investigation?

On April 15, the Victoria Police confirmed to Australia’s Sydney Morning Herald and Herald Sun on April 15 that detectives from the Melbourne sexual offenses and child-abuse investigation team are investigating an alleged sexual assault that occurred in Melbourne in 2010. “Police have been told the incident occurred at a licensed premises in Melbourne’s CBD,” a spokesperson said. “As the investigation remains ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.”

This post has been updated.