A decade-old Anna Kendrick interview is drawing new attention as Katy Perry faces fresh scrutiny over separate allegations from Ruby Rose. In a 2014 appearance on Conan, Kendrick recounted an unexpected encounter with Perry at that year’s Grammy Awards and called it weird.
Kendrick said Perry was aggressive and joked, “Katy Perry finger-banged my cleavage. It was a weird night.” When Conan O’Brien asked whether that was typical behavior for Perry, Kendrick added that the dress was kinda asking for it and said she would have been a little sad if no one had reacted to the outfit. The clip is resurfacing now because Perry is once again under scrutiny over allegations made by Rose.
Earlier this month, Rose said on Threads that Perry sexually assaulted her at a nightclub in Melbourne in 2010. Rose said the two were at Spice Market nightclub when Perry allegedly approached her as she lay with her head in a friend’s lap, pulled her underwear to the side and forced unwanted contact. Rose said she reacted by vomiting, later writing, “After it I threw up on her, I told the story publicly but changed it to be a ‘funny little drunk story’ because I didn’t know how else to handle it.”
A 2011 essay by Rose resurfaced online this week and also referred to the night, with Rose writing that she vomit[ed] on Katy’s foot. She did not mention assault allegations in that essay, but said the encounter played a role in her decision to stop drinking. Victoria Police later confirmed they are investigating a historical sexual assault report connected to an incident in Melbourne in 2010.
Perry denied Rose’s allegations through a representative, who called them categorically false and dangerous, reckless lies. The statement also said Rose has a history of making public accusations that are later denied. After the denial, Perry posted an Instagram Story featuring her song By the Grace of God with the caption, I love you. With the old Kendrick clip circulating at the same time, the renewed attention has pushed Perry’s past public image back into the center of a far more serious dispute.
If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual violence, help is available by calling RAINN at 800-656-4673.
