Actress Ruby Rose, known for her role in Batwoman, publicly accused singer Katy Perry of sexual assault via a series of Threads posts on Sunday, April 12. Rose detailed an alleged incident that she claims took place at the Spice Market nightclub in Melbourne when she was in her early 20s. Now 40, Rose articulated the immense difficulty she faced in speaking about what she referred to as "W on W violence and sexual abuse," stating that for her, it felt 100 times harder than discussing male predators. She initially revealed that she had disguised the event as a "funny little drunk story" and kept it a secret because Perry later agreed to assist her with her US visa application. Rose firmly asserted that she possesses photographic evidence from the night and that multiple individuals witnessed the alleged assault, even daring Perry to sue her, confidently stating, "she won't, because it happened."

Katy Perry's team issued a swift and strong denial of the allegations the following morning, April 13, labeling them "categorically false" and "dangerous, reckless lies." In an official statement provided to Billboard, a representative for Perry underscored Rose's "well-documented history of making serious public allegations on social media against various individuals," pointing out that these claims have been "repeatedly denied by those named." The statement aimed to emphasize the severe and unfounded nature of Rose's accusations.

The two celebrities have a documented history of public animosity, which notably began in 2017. At that time, Rose openly criticized Perry's song "Swish Swish," a track widely understood to be a diss aimed at Rose's close friend, Taylor Swift. Rose initially posted disparaging remarks about the song's lyrics on Twitter, before later retracting her comments and expressing that "being mean doesn't suit me and leaves me feeling dirty." She added that she gets "triggered when I think bullies don’t get held accountable."

In her recent Threads posts, Rose explained that it has taken her almost two decades to publicly disclose the alleged assault, highlighting the profound and lasting impact of trauma. Initially, she stated a lack of interest in filing a report for this particular incident, referencing her failure to report "numerous rapes at the hands of grown men." However, later on Sunday, she signaled a change of heart, announcing her intention to visit a police station to explore whether any of her experiences could be investigated, despite her concerns about potential statute of limitations. By Monday, Rose provided an update, confirming, "Just left the police station." She also extended her gratitude to all the "brave women" who have come forward with their own stories of sexual abuse, particularly those who have navigated the challenging police and court systems, acknowledging the system's frequent shortcomings and her own longstanding fear.

For any individual who has experienced sexual assault and requires support, confidential resources are readily available. The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) provides free, confidential support to sexual assault victims 24/7 through its National Sexual Assault Hotline, reachable at 800.656.HOPE, and via its official website.