Ruby Rose is, without doubt, the woman of the moment. The newest addition to Netflix blockbuster, Orange is the New Black, has caused an internet sensation.

Rose appears in the third season of the hit show as Lichfield Penitentiary’s new inmate, Stella Carlin – an Aussie Buddhist who soon captures the attention of we-won’t-say-who-because-we-don’t-want-to-ruin-it.

She has already amassed a legion of adoring fans – and the series only dropped a week ago.

The 29-year-old is an Australian model, DJ, recording artist and actor who has presented shows including Australia’s Next Top Model and the Vancouver Winter Olympics. Fun fact: Ruby Rose actually interviewed Taylor Schilling three years ago, for her role in The Lucky One.

Not only is Rose talented, gorgeous and pretty bad-ass (she’s fully inked, including a Ninja Turtle tattoo) but she’s also breaking down socio-political barriers one by one.

The actor has spoken openly about her personal struggle with depression in an attempt to remove the stigmas surrounding mental illness, saying: ‘I go from managing it to not managing it, to managing it and then there may be a time when it’s not manageable’ – which, those with depression and anxiety will know is a pretty accurate description of battling mental illness.

Rose came out as a lesbian aged 12 and is currently engaged to Roald Dahl’s granddaughter and Sophie Dahl’s cousin; eco clothing designer, Phoebe Dahl. The news was announced on Instagram to her 1.9m follower in March last year. Rose has Phoebe’s name tattooed inside a heart on her back.

The actor describes herself as ‘gender fluid’ saying that says she doesn’t identify with one gender.

She told Elle.com:

“Gender fluidity is not really feeling like you're at one end of the spectrum or the other. For the most part, I definitely don't identify as any gender. I'm not a guy; I don't really feel like a woman, but obviously I was born one. So, I'm somewhere in the middle, which – in my perfect imagination – is like having the best of both sexes.”

Last year, she wrote, produced and starred in a short film entitled Break Free, in which she explores the discovery of her sexuality and rejects binary gender roles, transforming from a stereotypically ‘girlie’ woman, to her androgynous self. The video went viral and has amassed over 5 million views – gaining popularity since her OITNB appearance.

Talking about the video, Rose says: ‘people are talking about gender fluidity more and more now because once someone opens a door to something like that, people put their hands up and say, “That’s me! That’s my friend! That’s my sister! That’s my mom!” (sic)

Along with her fiancé, Dahl, Rose is launching a gender fluid clothing range called Scallywags, which will sell garments that are designed to be entirely unisex.

“Obviously we’re in the middle of something enormous- a transgender movement. I’m just proud to be alive during this massive shift in the world.”

Watch this space, Rose is coming. 

Images: Instagram @rubyrose