On April 12, Ruby Rose accused Katy Perry of sexually assaulting her at a Melbourne nightclub more than a decade ago, detailing the claims in a series of Threads posts.
Perry denied the allegations, calling Rose’s statements “not only categorically false” but also “dangerous, reckless lies.” The former manager of the Melbourne nightclub, Spice Market, where the alleged assault occurred, shared his recollection with the Herald Sun.
Talking to the Herald Sun, he said Perry and Rose arrived together and were escorted to a private VIP area with friends. He was not present that night and was unaware of any alleged assault.
However, he noted: “It was a security nightmare because there were 600 people there and Katy kept coming out and dancing with everybody and going right in the middle of the mosh pit.” He added: “[Rose and Perry] were drunk; they weren’t paralytic or anything, just like any other person drinking at a nightclub.”
The former manager said staff knew Perry and Rose were public figures, so “to avoid people taking photos of them in a state, we organized a car and driver to be waiting outside the Collins Street entrance of the hotel. We escorted them out the back and up the fire exit and put them in the car together.” He believed they went to the Peel Hotel.
While the manager’s account does not address the alleged assault, it describes Perry and Rose’s condition that night. In her posts, Rose wrote: “Katy Perry sexual [sic] assaulted me at Spice Market nightclub in Melbourne. Who [cares] what she thinks? After it, I threw up on her. I told the story publicly but changed it to be a ‘funny little drunk story’ because I didn’t know how else to handle it.”
She added that Perry “later agreed to help me get my US visa. So I kept it a secret. But I DID tell y’all she wasn’t a good person. Instead, I got attacked by … Everyone.” Describing the alleged assault, Rose wrote: “She saw me ‘resting’ on my best friend’s 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 vomited [sic] on her.”
Perry’s representative stated: “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.”
Rose filed a police report. Detectives from the Melbourne Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team are investigating, per the Herald Sun. A Victoria Police spokesperson said: “Police have been told the incident occurred at a licensed premises in Melbourne’s CBD. As the investigation remains ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.”
On Tuesday, Rose updated followers on social media: “As of this afternoon, I have finalised all my reports. This means I am no longer able to comment, repost, or talk publicly about any of those cases, or the individuals involved.”
She added, “It’s going to look like I am ignoring everything from supportive messages, to other people’s experiences, but I’m not. This is a standard request from the police and in many ways, quite the relief. I can start the healing process now. And temporarily move forward. I love you all so much.”
With the police investigation underway and conflicting accounts from both sides, further details are awaited.