Ruby Rose honored by Taylor Swift during GLAAD Media Awards

LOS ANGELES, April 4 (UPI) -- Taylor Swift appeared onstage at the 27th annual GLAAD Media Awards recently to honor model, actress and friend actress Ruby Rose.

"Tonight I'm here to honor someone who through her words and through her actions, proves that she is a force of nature," Swift said onstage at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles on Saturday.

"She tells the world that no one can judge us and no one can stop us," Swift explained. "She is a woman of many talents. She is my friend," the pop star continued before presenting Rose with the prestigious Stephen F. Kolzak Award, an honor given by GLAAD to LGBT media members who make a significant contribution in the fight for equality and acceptance.

Swift's introduction was a surprise to the audience and Rose who displayed her gratitude towards the singer on social media. "The true story of how one 'sometimes girl' ( me ) was surprised and brought to tears by a surprise 'always amazing and giving' girl @taylorswift," Rose wrote on Instagram alongside a collage highlighting the moment.

"Speeches, hugs and the most beautiful jacket holder in the world. Coming to a screen near you," she continued joking about how Swift was seen holding her jacket onstage while she spoke.

"It's so interesting to receive an award for visibility because for such a large part of my life, I just wanted to be invisible. ... I felt there was so much wrong with me and there was so much weird about me," the Orange is the New Black star said after receiving the award.

After sharing a heartfelt story of how she was abused and bullied for her looks, Rose mentioned how her dream of becoming an actress gave her strength. "I dreamt of being a famous singer or an actor who, through my work, could inspire others to be themselves or hang in there. I had no idea how I dreamt so big when I felt so small, but I know it got me through each day. I wanted to be the person I couldn't find in my life," she continued.

"It made me feel like I existed. Slowly but surely, year after year, I watched the world change. GLAAD was there pushing the studios to do better."

The GLAAD Media Awards are set to air Monday on Logo at 10 p.m. EST/PST.