When OITNB season three hit Netflix, Litchfield’s newest inmate, Stella, grabbed the attention of every gay girl in the world. Season three aired on Friday June 12, and the sound of doors slamming all over the world could be heard as everyone on the planet settled in for a marathon.
When binged to Episode six, we were not prepared for the awesomeness that is Ruby Rose. If she just popped up on your radar (where the hell have you been?), here are 14 things that you need to know about our favorite Australian actress/DJ/model/conqueror-of-the-LGBT-world.
1. She Rose to Fame as a TV Presenter
Rose first found fame as a competitor in the 2002 Girlfriend Magazine model search. She came second to Catherine McNeil (who she went on to date). Although she didn't win, she clearly made a huge impression. This was definitely her launching pad, and it won her a gig as an MTV VJ. She currently ranks as Australia’s #1 TV show host.
2. She Broke Free
If you were living in a tree all of last year, you’ll have missed Rose’s incredible short video, Break Free, on gender fluidity and identity expression. The video explores what it’s like “to have an identity that deviates from the status quo” and went viral overnight. She directed and starred in the movie as a woman who goes from high femme to androgynous, complete with shaving her head and stripping off in a bath.
3. She’s Gender Fluid
It’s clear from Break Free Rose has some pretty open opinions on gender fluidity. She has often spoken about not feeling either male or female, and has a very androgynous style.
"I am very gender-fluid and feel more like I wake up every day sort of gender neutral. I definitely don’t identify as any gender. I’m not a guy; I don’t really feel like a woman, but obviously I was born one. So, I’m somewhere in the middle."
4. She’s an Advocate and Activist for Mental Health Causes
Rose has been open about her experience with depression and continues to speak out about the subject of mental health. She’s an ambassador for Mindfulness app, Headspace and Australia’s "Back Me Up" Campaign. Because she’s awesome that way.
5. She Started Early
Rose came out at as a lesbian at the tender age of 12, and although she admits that her mom thought it was a phase/joke at the time, they eventually got used to it.
6. She’s Engaged
Sorry, ladies. She’s taken. Rose is engaged to fashion designer Phoebe Dahl, and they’re just the coolest couple ever. Dahl is also the granddaughter of iconic children’s writer, Roald Dahl, and Phoebe popped the question.
7. She Has More Than 60 Tattoos on Her Body
It’s hard to miss, but have you noticed she has quite a bit of body art? Her knuckle tattoo says, “Just Love."
8. She’s a Fashion Designer
Like her fiancé, Rose also has a clothing line. She launched her Milk and Honey Designed by Ruby Rose fashion line in 2010.
9. She’s a Recording Artist
So she can pretty much do it all. Rose recorded “Guilty Pleasure” with Gary Go in 2012. And it’s pretty good. Plus, she looks all intense and powerful in the video, so we give it a big, long "yaaas."
10. She’s an Amazing DJ
One of Rose's main passions is DJing, and she’s hitting the Pride circuit hard this year.
11. She Has a Tattoo of an OITNB Co-Star on Her Back
Before Lori Petty played Lolly Hill (the scary blonde one from the plane) in OITNB, she played Tank Girl in the 1995 movie of the same name. She must have made an impression on Rose, as she had the character tattooed on her shoulder. #FanGirl
Rose retells the moment the two first met when speaking to Vulture:
"When we met she walked up and said, 'Are you the girl with my face on your back?' And I was like, yeah, that’s me."
12. She Went Fully Naked in an OITNB Scene
OK, we all knew this already. But, like, no harm in knowing it again.
13. She Slept With Demi Lovato
Before we all knew Demi Lovato was bi, Rose did. She may even have outed her, because I mean who can resist that face anyway? Rose allegedly had a tryst with Lovato in 2013 which caused waves through US media, and come on, if Perez says it’s true then it has to be true, right? Rose was reported as “DJ/Model Ruby Rose” and painted as a kind of black widow seductress. Which we totally hope she was.
14. She Beat the Bullies
In an interview with The Guardian, Rose spoke openly about being bullied for her non-linear style. However, we think it’s safe to say that she’s totally won this round.
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