Ruby Rose Once Slammed Katy Perry’s ‘Swish Swish’ as a ‘Sloppy Mess’

Ruby Rose and Katy Perry are back in the headlines together following Rose’s recent sexual assault accusations. According to the actress, Perry allegedly assaulted her at a nightclub in Melbourne, Australia, nearly 20 years ago. A representative for Perry has denied the claims. Now, we’re looking back at a past feud involving Rose and Perry when Perry released her 2017 single, “Swish Swish.” Here’s what went down at the time.

Katy Perry’s 2017 single, ‘Swish Swish,’ became associated with her feud with Taylor Swift

Katy Perry’s 2017 single, “Swish Swish,” featuring Nicki Minaj, is widely understood as a response shaped by Perry’s public feud with Taylor Swift. That feud reportedly began when Swift suggested in interviews that a fellow pop star had tried to “sabotage” her tour by hiring away backup dancers, a claim widely interpreted as referring to Perry. In the years that followed, both artists made indirect references to the tension in interviews and lyrics. Swift later released “Bad Blood” in 2014, which many outlets also linked to Perry.

When “Swish Swish” arrived as part of Perry’s Witness album, critics and fans quickly interpreted it as a clapback track due to its confrontational tone and basketball-themed metaphors, like “game on” and “you’re about to witness the greatest.” However, Perry has said in interviews that the song is more broadly about resilience in the face of online criticism and personal “bullies.” In a 2017 interview on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, she described the album era as reflecting her desire to “let go” of conflict.

“That’s kind of what this record is about, just 360-degree liberation,” Perry explained. “‘Chained to the Rhythm’ was this political liberation, ‘Bon Appetit’ was a sexual liberation, and now, I think … ‘Swish’ represents the liberation from all the negative that doesn’t serve you.”

Ruby Rose got involved in the ‘Swish Swish’ feud

Ruby Rose became briefly involved in the public conversation around “Swish Swish” in 2017 after she publicly criticized the track shortly after its release. Rose was part of Swift’s broader celebrity social circle at the time. She responded negatively to what she perceived as the song’s tone.

On social media, she described “Swish Swish” as a “sloppy mess of writing,” according to Digital Spy. Rose argued that it promoted unnecessary negativity between women in pop culture. Her comments stood out because they came from someone outside the immediate music industry rivalry. Her reaction quickly gained traction in entertainment media.

Rose later softened her stance, acknowledging that she had reacted emotionally and that her wording had been too harsh. She also emphasized that she did not intend to escalate conflict, but rather responded to what she saw as a disappointing message in the song’s framing.

“Being mean doesn’t suit me and leaves me feeling dirty,” she wrote. “Truth is, being mean leaves more leaks in your camp than the Titanic.”

“I get so triggered when I think bullies don’t get held accountable, and it makes me think I should say something … but it’s not place,” Rose continued.

In 2026, Ruby Rose claimed that Katy Perry sexually assaulted her nearly 20 years ago

In 2026, Ruby Rose is making headlines for alleging that Katy Perry sexually assaulted her nearly 20 years ago. According to People, Rose made the claims after Complex shared an article about Perry reacting to Justin Bieber’s Coachella performance.

“Katy Perry sexual assaulted me at spice market nightclub in Melbourne [sic],” Rose commented. “Who gives a s*** what she thinks.”

In another comment, Rose wrote that she was “only in my early 20s” at the time. “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,” she continued.

On Monday, April 13, 2026, Perry’s representative responded to the claims. “The allegations being circulated on social media by Ruby Rose about Katy Perry are not only categorically false, they are dangerous, reckless lies,” the rep stated. “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.”

On Threads, Rose said she doesn’t want to file a report. She also referenced the “Swish Swish” feud.

“[Perry] is more than welcome to sue me (she won’t, because it happened, I have photos and it was literally in public and witnessed by multiple people),” alleged Rose. “Plus, there is so much more that happened in the years leading up to her silly song she won’t want me discussing. The psychological manipulation was strong with that one.”