Sophia Bush pens open letter addressing Homewrecker rumors and relationship with Ashlyn Harris

Sophia Bush addresses her sexuality and infidelity rumors for the first time.

The “One Tree Hill” alum, 41, filed for divorce from entrepreneur Grant Hughes in August after a year of marriage. A month later, retired American soccer player Ashlyn Harris filed for divorce from her former teammate Ali Krieger. Shortly after Bush and Harris’ divorce was announced, People reported in October that the two were dating.

In a personal essay for Glamor, Bush explained the slow pace and “painful conversations” that took place before she and Harris entered into a relationship. However, social media viewed their love as an affair.

“The internet rumor mill started spewing in the ugliest way possible. There were blatant lies. Violent threats. There were allegations of being a homewrecker,” she wrote. “To those who said I left my ex because I suddenly realized I wanted to be with women – my partners have known what I’m into for so long.”

She added: “The idea that I left my marriage because of a hysterical tryst – which, to be clear, never happened – rather than the fact that it took me over a year to do the most soul-destroying work of my life ? Had to be the most vulnerable I’ve ever been on a public stage, even though I was scared to the core? It feels brutal.”

Sophia Bush and Ashlyn Harris’ Relationship: How It Began

Bush, who met Harris in 2019, said she connected with the soccer star after she and a group of women attended an event in Cannes in the summer of 2023. At the time, she and Hughes were “separated and preparing to file for divorce.” and she met other women at the event who were having relationship problems. They had founded a support group for other women going through separations and divorces.

“It was tragic and difficult. But it was also beautiful. There were moments of incredible sadness because no one signed up to get married thinking it would end. When we knew people needed to laugh, we sent inspirational memes and silly TikToks.” “We read books by amazing therapists and shared emo quotes from poets,” Bush recalls.

The actress said she “didn’t expect to find love in this support system” and that she felt her feelings for Harris developed slowly and simultaneously overnight. “And I think it’s very easy to not see something that’s been in your mind for a long time if you’ve never considered it as an option and you’ve never been viewed as an option.”

After “countless therapy sessions” and some persuasion from friends, Bush said she finally asked the professional soccer player to be more than just friends. The dinner was “truly one of the most surreal experiences of my life so far,” she wrote.

The “Good Sam” star and producer said she has always felt connected to the queer community, although she has not publicly stated that she is a part of it. “I kind of hate the idea of ​​having to come out in 2024,” she wrote, although acknowledging the visibility helps “in a year where we’re seeing the most aggressive attacks on the LGBTQIA+ community in modern history.”

“In 2023, more than 500 anti-LGBTQIA+ bills were introduced in state legislatures. “That’s why I want to give coming out the respect and honor it deserves,” she continued. “I have experienced so much safety, respect, and love as an ally in the queer community throughout my life that as soon as I returned to myself, I felt like it was my home. I think I’ve always known that.” My sexuality exists on a spectrum.

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As for the exact term, Bush said, “I think the word that best defines it is queer. I actually can’t say it without smiling. And that feels pretty awesome.”

“I have real joy. It took me 41 years to get here. And as I marvel at that, I will also make space for people’s pain,” she continued, paying respect to victims of “bullying and harassment and coming out without consent.” “

Related: Is all the anger and rage really about transgender rights? Maybe not.

Sofia Bush says she “puked” after posting about her one-year wedding anniversary

Bush also spoke about the failure of her marriage, which she said became clear to her before her wedding.

“In April 2022 I was close to canceling my wedding. Instead of running away, I resolved to be a model wife,” she wrote. “In 2023, my now ex-husband posted a beautiful tribute on Instagram for our first anniversary. When I saw it, I felt the blood drain from my face. … I didn’t feel anything.”

Bush said she pushed through her relationship problems because of repeated comments that “marriage was hard” and because she posted about their anniversary because of public pressure.

“I typed something about how incredibly lucky I was, trying to drown out the familiar voice in my head. ‘Make it look easy. Make it look perfect. If your smile is bright enough, maybe no one will notice it up close.’ “Your teeth are broken,” she remembers. “I hit the post. And then I went into the bathroom and threw up.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sophia Bush reveals her post-divorce truth to rumored Ashlyn Harris