When Ruby Rose announced she’d be co-hosting the European Music Awards earlier this month, we crossed our fingers and prayed for something wonderful. Ruby rose to that challenge, and then some: she wielded a flame thrower in a ball gown after igniting Twitter with a genderfluid opening speech.
@rubyrose is so. Badass. #MTVEMA https://t.co/M3Ee4luPbE
— MTV EMA (@mtvema) October 25, 2015
The stunt was one variation on the night’s theme: “cute and badass.” Rose held down the latter, somehow completing six outfit changes from leather to more leather while limping with an injury courtesy of Resident Evil: The Final Chapter — the action epic she’s been shooting in Cape Town. Her co-host, Ed Sheeran, cuddled with blankets and teddy bears (notably absent from the event was the Drake-themed needlepoint Taylor Swift gifted him).
While Rose’s joking segment with twin Justin Bieber set tweens hearts a-blazin faster than her pyrotechnics display, it was her opening line that really lit up the Internet. Rose — who prefers female pronouns but identifies as genderfluid — kicked off the awards with a simple yet inclusive nod to all those on (and off) the gender spectrum: “Ladies and gentlemen and everyone in between.”
Twitter reactions spanned from praise to one user wanting to get the phrase tattooed, perhaps the biggest indicator of what a difference mindful speech can truly make. Rose’s four word addition encouraged people otherwise marginalised to feel accepted and welcome — the most badass thing of all.
”ladies, gentlemen and everyone in between” Ruby Rose stepping up and making sure to adress everyone #Respect
— Adriëlle Blaas (@AdrielleBlaas) October 25, 2015
‘Welcome ladies and gentlemen and everyone in between’ quote of the year. Feel like getting it tattooed.@RubyRose
— Kashish1D (@KashishD13) October 26, 2015
Credits
Text Emily Manning
Image via Twitter