Ruby Rose attacks ‘disgusting, poorly run’ Brighton Pride after cancelling appearance
Orange is the New Black star Ruby Rose has hit out at the organisers of Brighton Pride after pulling out of a DJ set.
The actress had been set to perform at the Pride festival over the weekend, but pulled out of the event after getting tonsillitis while on holiday in Ibiza and Formentera.
She had confirmed: “Tonsillitis and unable to fly because of the pain it’s causing my ears.
“Means no more shows and I have to stay put before returning home, sorry guys. I didn’t even know you could get tonsillitis after like, 16.”
But the actress took issue with Brighton Pride organisers after the cancellation of the ticketed event, when a statement appeared to suggest she had chosen to cancel her appearance at the last minute.
She fumed on Twitter: “You guys are so unprofessional I thank the heavens I didn’t put my health at risk for such a poorly run party.”
Of a suggestion that she had pulled out of appearances in the past, Rose said: “Remember that ace time I stayed back way after my set to introduce Miss Dynamite in 2015 cos I was fan-girling…nah.”
Asked whether she would return next year, she wrote: “Not a chance in a million years after this. The closest one to it but not with these people. Disgusting.”
Posting a picture from her bed, she wrote: “Because this is totally where I’d rather be right now, rather than performing for my fans.
“Where I played last year and had a blast… Never let people make you feel bad for being sick and ALWAYS put your health first we have one life and one body. We are all human.”
Pride organisers have since deleted the original statement and apologised for the “misunderstanding”.
A statement said: “We would like to clear up any misunderstanding and upset caused over the weekend.
“We have the upmost respect for Ruby Rose as an LGBT+ icon, actress and performer and totally understand her health is her top priority.
“Ruby headlined the Girls Dance Tent at Brighton Pride 2015 and was amazing in both her DJ set and her interactions with fans, and it was a privilege to have her at Pride.
“It was unfortunate that Ruby then had to cancel her performance at the after party last year due to other commitments, but she worked with us to give everyone a great show at the daytime Festival event.
“We were very dissapointed to hear that Ruby was too ill to play this year. Unfortunately we received the cancellation by email at 10am on Saturday 6th August while everyone was out of the office working on delivering the Pride Parade (11am start) and Pride Festival (12noon start), so we didn’t see it until late that night.
“We worked quickly to release the news to reassure ticket holders they would receive a full refund and give them time to change their plans if need be, and felt we had written an honest statement about Ruby not playing. It was never our intention to upset anybody and we are deeply sorry if we have.
“Ruby’s management have offered us a full refund.
“Brighton Pride has a core team of only 4 people delivering a festival that has raised over £210,000 for charitable causes in the last 3 years. We have worked with top artists and performers for many years and always aim to conduct ourselves with professionalism and integrity while delivering the UK’s biggest LGBT festival.
“Again, we totally respect Ruby and hope she gets better soon.”
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