One Tree Hill's Sophia Bush on now identifying as queer - 'I can finally breathe'
One Tree Hill actress, Sophia Bush, opened up about identifying as queer and her deeply meaningful relationship with athlete Ashlyn Harris, 38, following her divorce from Grant Hughes in 2023.
Breaking her silence on her romantic life in an essay for Glamour magazine, Sophia shared: "I feel like I can finally breathe."
The Chicago PD actress added that she had unexpectedly found love with Ashlyn, with the pair becoming friends in 2019 before starting a relationship in 2023 after both their marriages ended.
Reflecting on her journey, Sophia acknowledged the rarity and beauty of her bond with Ashlyn, adding: “I don't know how else to say it other than: I didn't see it until I saw it.”
Despite past relationships, including marriages to Grant Hughes and Chad Michael Murray, Sophia admitted her attraction to women and shared her happiness in embracing her true self.
Addressing the challenges and misconceptions surrounding her relationship, Sophia candidly shared the hurtful rumours and judgments she faced, including accusations of being a home-wrecker.
“The ones who said I'd left my ex because I suddenly realised I wanted to be with women — my partners have known what I'm into for as long as I have (so that's not it, y'all, sorry!),” she said.
Undeterred by the negativity, Sophia found solace and acceptance within the queer community, where she experienced safety, respect, and love.
Sophia said that her sexuality “exists on a spectrum”, concluding: “Right now I think the word that best defines it is queer. I can't say it without smiling, actually. And that feels pretty great.”
In an accompanying Glamour podcast, Sophia further elaborated on her journey. The actress said: “I feel like I've been wearing an 80-pound weighted vest for probably a decade, and I finally just f**king put it down...
“For the first time in my life I know what ease is, I am the most excited about the future that I have ever been and I don't feel like I owe anything to anyone. I have never been more in integrity in my life... All I am making space for is joy and I would've loved for a lot of things to have happened a little differently but at the end of the day, I have nothing to apologize for.”
Elsewhere in the essay, Sophia candidly reflected on her past relationships, including her short-lived marriage to Chad Michael Murray. Sophia and Chad said 'I do' in Santa Monica, but the co-stars shocked fans when they split just five months later.
Speaking about her relationship with Chad in 2014, she said on Watch What Happens Live: “We were two stupid kids who had no business being in a relationship in the first place. To all the other costars who've worked it out, more power to you.”
