Victoria Police Investigate Katy Perry Over Historical Sexual Assault Allegations

Victoria Police confirmed on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, that detectives are investigating a historical sexual assault allegedly committed by American singer Katy Perry against Australian actress Ruby Rose at a Melbourne nightclub in 2010. The Melbourne Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team is handling the case, which stems from allegations Rose, now 40, made publicly on the social media platform Threads on April 12, 2026. Perry, now 41, has denied the allegations through her representative, who called them "categorically false" and "dangerous reckless lies." Rose finalized her police reports on Tuesday, April 14, and stated she can no longer speak publicly about the matter while the investigation is ongoing.

Rose described the alleged 2010 incident in detail Rose initially made the allegations in a comment responding to an unrelated post about Perry on Threads, writing that Perry had sexually assaulted her at the Spice Market nightclub in Melbourne. In subsequent replies, Rose described the alleged incident in explicit terms, stating she was in her early 20s at the time and had been resting on a friend's lap when the assault allegedly occurred. Rose wrote that she had previously recounted the episode to others as a "funny little drunk story" because she did not know how else to process what had happened. She also alleged that Perry subsequently helped her obtain a United States visa, which she said led her to keep the alleged assault secret for years. Rose added that she believes witnesses were present and that photographic evidence exists. In one post, she reflected on the time it took to speak out publicly. „I'm now 40. It has taken almost 2 decades to say this publicly. 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.” — Ruby Rose via The Independent Rose's posts were later deleted, though they were widely reported and republished by media outlets before their removal.

Perry's team fires back, citing Rose's history of allegations Perry's representative issued a firm denial to Variety, rejecting the claims in their entirety. „The allegations being circulated on social media by Ruby Rose about Katy Perry are not only categorically false, they are dangerous, reckless lies.” — Katy Perry's representative via Billboard The statement also referenced what the representative described as Rose's "well-documented history of making serious public allegations on social media against various individuals, claims that have repeatedly been denied by those named." Victoria Police, in a statement confirmed to multiple outlets including Pitchfork and The Independent, declined to name the individuals involved, noting only that the incident was reported to have occurred "at a licensed premises in Melbourne's CBD" and that it would be "inappropriate to comment further" while the investigation remains ongoing. Perry's team had not issued any additional public comment beyond the initial denial as of the time of reporting.

Anna Kendrick interview resurfaces amid wider scrutiny of Perry Alongside the Rose allegations, a 2014 television interview featuring actress Anna Kendrick resurfaced and drew renewed attention. In the interview, conducted on the talk show hosted by Conan O'Brien, Kendrick described an encounter with Perry at a Grammy party in which she said Perry "fingered my cleavage." Kendrick recounted the episode in a light tone at the time, and the studio audience responded with laughter. The resurfacing of the clip added a layer of broader public scrutiny to Perry's conduct at industry events, though Kendrick's account described the incident in markedly different terms than Rose's allegations and was not the subject of any police action. Ruby Rose gained international recognition for her role in the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black beginning in 2015, and later portrayed Kate Kane in the Arrowverse television franchise. Katy Perry, born Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson, is an American singer and songwriter who has been a prominent figure in pop music. The alleged incident in Melbourne dates to 2010, meaning the investigation covers events from approximately 16 years ago, raising questions about the applicability of statutes of limitations under Australian law, a concern Rose herself acknowledged when she first considered approaching police. Rose's final public statement before going silent at police request expressed a sense of relief at having come forward. „This is a standard request from the police and in many ways, quite the relief. I can start the healing process now.” — Ruby Rose via Billboard

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