This past week has been a bit of a rollercoaster for actress Ruby Rose. While doing press for her latest big screen action film, “The Meg,” CW announced that Rose would be taking over the highly coveted role of Batwoman in their Arrowverse TV universe. She would start as the center of a crossover event between the various CW/DC series, but then Rose would star in her own spin-off show.
That’s a big deal for the actress. And it was evident that Rose was taking her new role incredibly serious, as was evident in a late night talk show appearance with Jimmy Fallon. However, her excitement and joy around tackling this superhero role, which is something that holds some deeply personal weight for Rose, was cut short this weekend when toxic fans reared their ugly head and forced the actress to leave Twitter.
Apparently, fans began criticizing CW’s casting decision by throwing personal insults at Rose, specifically about her sexuality which was viewed as one of the key factors behind her excitement for the role and the impact Batwoman could have on the TV landscape.
In a message posted to Twitter shortly before she quit (via THR), Rose wrote:
“Where on earth did ‘Ruby is not a lesbian therefore she can’t be batwoman’ come from — has to be the funniest most ridiculous thing I’ve ever read. I came out at 12? And have for the past 5 years had to deal with ‘she’s too gay’ how do y’all flip it like that? I didn’t change. I wish we would all support each other and our journeys.
When women and when minorities join forces we are unstoppable… when we tear each other down it’s much more hurtful than from any group. But hey/ love a challenge I just wish women and the LGBT community supported each other more, My wish was we were all a little kinder and more supportive of each other…Sending everyone my love and gratitude, it’s been a rollercoaster of a year, this month especially.
I am looking forward to getting more than 4 hours of sleep and to break from Twitter to focus all my energy on my next 2 projects. If you need me, I’ll be on my Bat Phone.”
Rose’s social media blackout is interesting when compared to the most famous example of toxic fandom — Kelly Marie Tran’s Instagram deletion. In Tran’s case, the hate and insults came from a group of racist and misogynist fans, who were using slurs and other insults to harass the actress. Compare that to the situation with Ruby Rose, and you see how toxic fandom can come from both sides. Rose’s insults and harassment came from those who were supposed to be seen as allies. Instead, the people that Rose believed should have celebrated her casting were against her.
No word on when Rose will debut as Batwoman, but the CW/DC Arrowverse crossover normally happens around the late fall.