Victoria Police are investigating claims that American pop star Katy Perry sexually assaulted Australian actor Ruby Rose at a Melbourne nightclub more than a decade ago. The allegations, shared by Rose on social media, have been strenuously denied by Perry, who called them “dangerous reckless lies.”
The investigation centers on an alleged incident in 2010 at the Spice Market nightclub in Melbourne’s Central Business District.
Police Confirmation and Investigation
On Wednesday, April 15, 2026, Victoria Police issued a statement confirming the investigation:
“Melbourne sexual offences and child abuse investigation team (SOCIT) detectives are investigating [an alleged] historical sexual assault that occurred in Melbourne in 2010.”
The statement added: “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.”
The investigation is being handled by the Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team (SOCIT) , a specialized unit within Victoria Police.
Ruby Rose’s Social Media Allegations
Earlier this week, Rose took to social media to make the allegations public. In a post commenting on Perry’s reaction to Justin Bieber’s set at the Coachella music festival, Rose wrote:
“Katy Perry sexually assaulted me at Spice Market nightclub in Melbourne. Who gives a shit what she thinks.”
Rose also claimed on the social media platform Threads that she had been planning to file a complaint with police about the incident. According to other social media posts, she had been in Melbourne recently.
Rose’s Final Update
Late on Tuesday, April 14, Rose posted what she described as her last update on the matter:
“Last update on this: As of this afternoon, I have finalized all of my reports. This means I am no longer able to comment, repost, or talk publicly about any of those cases, or the individuals involved. 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.”
Katy Perry’s Denial – ‘Dangerous Reckless Lies’
Perry has strongly denied the allegations. A representative for the singer issued a statement saying:
“The allegations being circulated on social media by Ruby Rose about Katy Perry are not only categorically false, they are dangerous reckless lies. 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.”
Perry’s team has not provided further comment, citing the ongoing police investigation.
The Night in Question – August 6, 2010
According to contemporaneous reports from 2010, Perry and Rose went out in Melbourne on the night of August 6, 2010, including a visit to the Spice Market nightclub.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | August 6, 2010 |
| Location | Spice Market nightclub, Melbourne CBD (located at Grand Hyatt) |
| Other event | Perry “crashed” a Melbourne high school formal at the Grand Hyatt that same night |
At the time, Perry was in Australia promoting her breakthrough album Teenage Dream, which featured hits like “California Gurls” and “Teenage Dream.” Rose was a rising star in Australia, known for her work as a model, MTV Australia host, and later for roles in Orange Is the New Black and The Meg.
Rose’s History of Public Allegations
Perry’s statement referenced Rose’s “well-documented history of making serious public allegations on social media against various individuals.”
Rose has previously made public accusations against:
- Directors and producers in the entertainment industry
- Ex-partners in high-profile relationships
- Other celebrities on various platforms
Some of these allegations have led to legal disputes, while others have remained unsubstantiated. Perry’s team argues that this pattern undermines the credibility of the current claim.
Legal and Investigative Context
The investigation by Victoria Police’s SOCIT unit indicates that authorities consider the allegation serious enough to warrant formal inquiry. However, several factors could complicate the investigation:
| Challenge | Implication |
|---|---|
| Historical nature | Incident allegedly occurred 16 years ago |
| Evidence availability | Witnesses may be difficult to locate; physical evidence unlikely |
| Jurisdictional issues | Both parties are now based outside Australia (Perry in US, Rose in US/UK) |
| Police resources | Historical cases often require significant investigative effort |
Rose has stated that she has “finalized all of [her] reports” and is now complying with police requests not to comment further publicly.
Public Reaction and Media Scrutiny
The allegations have sparked intense public debate across social media platforms. Reactions have been sharply divided:
Supporters of Ruby Rose
- “Believe survivors. It takes enormous courage to come forward, especially against someone as powerful as Katy Perry.”
- “Ruby has nothing to gain and everything to lose by making this up.”
Supporters of Katy Perry
- “Katy has denied it categorically. Ruby has a history of making unsubstantiated claims.”
- “Innocent until proven guilty. This happened 16 years ago with no witnesses named.”
Legal experts note that the high-profile nature of both individuals will likely ensure the investigation receives significant media attention, regardless of its outcome.
What Happens Next?
The investigation is in its early stages. Typical next steps include:
- Police interviews with Ruby Rose to obtain a detailed statement
- Contacting Katy Perry (likely through legal representatives) for her account
- Witness identification – anyone else present at Spice Market on August 6, 2010
- Review of any available evidence – photos, videos, or contemporaneous communications
- Decision on charges – if sufficient evidence exists, or case closure if not
Given the historical nature of the allegation, legal experts caution that the threshold for criminal charges may be high. Victoria Police has not provided a timeline for the investigation.
A He Said-She Said with High Stakes
The investigation into Katy Perry and Ruby Rose represents a clash between two high-profile figures, separated by 16 years and thousands of miles. One alleges a sexual assault at a Melbourne nightclub. The other calls it a “dangerous reckless lie.”
With Victoria Police now formally involved, the case will move from social media speculation to official investigation. But the challenges of a historical allegation – lack of physical evidence, faded memories, and disputed accounts – are substantial.
For now, both women have largely ceased public commentary at police request. The coming weeks and months will determine whether this case proceeds to charges, or whether it joins the ranks of historical allegations that cannot be substantiated.
As one legal observer noted: “In cases like this, the truth is rarely simple. But the police investigation will at least provide a formal process – something social media can never offer.”
