From toilet papering suburban Melbourne houses as a youngster (hey, we all start somewhere), to becoming a successful VJ, DJ, TV presenter, model, clothing designer, spokesperson, writer, musician and boxer, (breathe here), this spritely 27 year old is showing no signs of slowing down as she recently added screen actress to her string of successes. We snagged a few minutes out of the hectic schedule of Ruby Rose to talk film, music, and pure nonsense.
Most recently appearing alongside (and getting fresh with) Christina Ricci in the film ‘Around The Block’, the experience was both amazing and surreal for Rose having grown up watching The Addam’s Family (and let’s face it, Ricci will always be Wednesday Addams to those of us who bloomed in the 90s). With a background in acting at VCA and this film under her belt, Rose is open to the possibility of future productions though speaks rationally about the constrictions her stylistic choices may create.
‘Originally my goal was to get into film but then I got the opportunity to go down the route of presenting, and then it became a brand of clothing and a radio show and djing and I guess with that, it gave me the luxury of being able to express myself with my tattoos and my style and all those things that have made me who I am today. These are things that would probably make it quite difficult to pursue acting in a really serious manner, but I’m not upset about it, I potentially want to do more film but I’m aware that I’ve probably slimmed my choices of characters to play’.
Opportunity continues to flourish in the music department for Rose though and after releasing just one single, ‘Guilty Pleasures’, she’s is turning down contracts with a record label dangling 20 pre-written songs all ready for her to stamp with her flair.
‘When I was offered all these pre-written songs I was like I don’t relate to any of these songs, I have no idea who wrote them, there’s no way!? ‘Guilty Pleasures’ has some pretty hardcore lyrics about suicide and addiction. It was the song I was supposed to write for the people who needed to hear it. It’s not about making a number one song and for it to be catchy and in all the clubs, I want my songs to have meaning’.
Feeling slightly less compassionate in the boxing ring though Rose, who goes by ‘The Thorn’ mentally prepares for fights by imagining her opponent to be something akin to the bullies from her younger years, opting for a Hunger Games survival approach.
‘I have to imagine it’s a fight to the death, when it’s clearly not! That’s how I see it though, and how I get over the whole idea of getting punched in the face. As soon as that fights over the first thing we do is hug and become best friends on Facebook and it’s cool’.
*Disclosure to future opponents of ‘The Thorn’: find a way to hang ten with Rose before a fight and this tough starfish will become your very own munchkin kitten. ‘Before I go into a fight I literally have to separate myself from the person that I’m fighting because as soon as they’re humanized and I know too much about them, It’s game over. Like even just knowing their name freaks me out’.
Ruby Rose is playing at The Court Hotel’s ‘Game of Thrones’ on September 29.
Katie Cameron
