Women Who Defined 2016: Ruby Rose
This interview is part of 9Honey's Women Who Defined 2016 video series, profiling a diverse group of Australian women who've made an impact this year.
We sat down with actress Ruby Rose in Sydney for a candid talk about her relationship, breaking down gender barriers, and pushing through loss.
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Ruby Rose is on a roll.
In the last two years, the 30-year-old Melbourne native has gone from part-time Aussie TV host to international superstar, with a fan-favourite role on Orange is the New Black and a slew of new movies on the way, including xXx: Return of Xander Cage (in Australian cinemas January 17).
"I'm learning every single day... to follow your heart and follow your gut," she told 9Honey's Ashley Spencer. "When you do that with integrity and authenticity, it really shows with whatever it is you're working on at that time."
Earlier this month, Ruby directed and starred alongside girlfriend Jess Origliasso in The Veronicas' 'On Your Side' music video. In just one week, the clip racked up nearly 7 million views.
"People are writing some really awesome things about it that aren't just, 'That's a sexy, saucy video.' They're actually saying, 'It's an important video,'" Ruby said.
"Because a lot of popstars and boy bands and girl bands, they'll have the heterosexual love interest and nobody blinks. Nobody talks about it. And then you put a same-sex relationship and suddenly it's controversial and it's raunchy."
Ruby and The Veronicas' Jess - whom Ruby dubs "the cutest thing in the world" - first dated in 2008, and their belated reunion took everyone by surprise.
"We just took an eight-year break. Is that unusual?" Ruby jokes. "It doesn't feel as weird as it should or sound… [But] I don't imagine getting back together with any of my exes, and I'm friends with all of them, as well. The world is a very strange place."
Watch our exclusive video interview above to hear Ruby sound off on gender fluidity, the US election, and the 2016 event that shook her to her core.
