Sophia Bush speaks out on love, identity, and embracing queerness

American actress Sophia Bush, 41, has spoken about her love for a woman for the first time. Previously, she had been in many heterosexual relationships and had been married twice. After her last marriage ended, she joined a group therapy session, where she met Ashlyn Harris. "I finally feel like I can breathe," she confessed.

Sophia Bush is best known for her roles in two TV shows: "One Tree Hill" and "Chicago P.D.". She has never publicly admitted to being attracted to women before. She only boasted about her relationships with men, although, as she admitted, she did not hide her broad sexual preferences from them.

"I wasn’t looking for a relationship, but one found me and became serious, even though I hadn’t planned to settle down until my 30s. But when the person you’re with asks you to marry him, you think: This must be happening because it’s supposed to," she said in an interview with Cosmopolitan.

Then Sophia Bush was linked with several colleagues from subsequent film sets until she married Grant Hughes in June 2022. And once again, she became a wife somewhat despite herself.

"In April of 2022 I was close to calling off my wedding. Instead of running away, I doubled down on being a model wife. In 2023 my now ex-husband posted a lovely tribute to our first anniversary on Instagram. When I saw it, I felt the blood drain from my face. [...] As the day wore on, I felt mounting pressure from strangers online waiting for me to post something—what a strange part of public life to have to navigate—so I sat myself down and chose a picture. [...] I hit post. And then I walked into the bathroom and threw up.," she recalled in a column for Glamour.

After the wedding, Sophia Bush wanted to get pregnant, but despite her enormous efforts, it was to no avail. During that difficult time, she ultimately confirmed her belief that the marriage was a mistake.

Sophia Bush and Grant Hughes did not celebrate their first wedding anniversary. In August 2023, the actress filed for divorce and then signed up for group therapy. There, she met Ashlyn Harris, a soccer player freshly divorced from her wife. The women, battered by fate, fell in love with each other. Photos of them started appearing online, and internet users spun unfair theories.

"There were accusations of being a home-wrecker. The ones who said I’d left my ex because I suddenly realized I wanted to be with women—my partners have known what I’m into for as long as I have. [...] But even still there’s a part of me that’s a ferocious defender, who wants to correct the record piece by piece. But my better self, with her earned patience, has to sit back and ask, What’s the fucking point? For who? For internet trolls? No, thank you." Bush stated.

At the end of her confessions, Sophia Bush directly addressed her sexual orientation, though with mixed feelings.

"I sort of hate the notion of having to come out in 2024. But I’m deeply aware that we are having this conversation in a year when we’re seeing the most aggressive attacks on the LGBTQIA+ community in modern history. [...] For that reason I want to give the act of coming out the respect and honor it deserves. [...] I think I’ve always known that my sexuality exists on a spectrum. Right now I think the word that best defines it is queer," the actress confessed.

Sophia Bush has found herself and love. It's the best period of her life.

"I have real joy. It took me 41 years to get here. And while I marvel at it, I will also make space for people’s pain. [...] This might sound crazy—but I think other people in trauma recovery will get it—I am taking deep breaths again. I can feel my legs and feet. I can feel my feet in my shoes right now. It makes me want to cry and laugh at the same time." Bush summarized.