Sophia Bush feels like she can finally breathe again.
The One Tree Hill alum attributes her feeling to coming out as queer, confirming her new relationship, and denying she cheated on her ex-husband.
“As I came into myself, I already felt it was my home. I think I’ve always known that my sexuality exists on a spectrum,” Bush said in a self-written Glamour cover story. “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.”
Bush married Grant Hughes, 42, in June 2022 after a 10-year friendship. However, 13 months after the ceremony the couple split.
“Sophia and Grant were friends for 10 years and bonded during COVID through their love of community service,” a source told People. “They continue to run their nonprofit together and remain good friends.”
While Bush filed for divorce from Hughes in August 2023, by October she was linked to soccer star Ashlyn Harris, 38.
During this time Bush endured countless rumors, which she has denied.
“The idea that I left my marriage based on some hysterical rendezvous — that, to be crystal-clear, never happened –rather than having taken over a year to do the most soul crushing work of my life? Rather than realizing I had to be the most vulnerable I’ve ever been, on a public stage, despite being terrified to my core? It feels brutal,” she said.
Despite the challenges she faced, Bush always had the support of her family and those closest to her.
“After the news became public, my mom told me that one of her friends called her and said, ‘Well, this can’t be true. I mean, your daughter isn’t gay,’” Bush wrote. “My mom felt that it was obvious, from the way her friend emphasized the word, that she meant it judgmentally. And you know what my mom said? ‘Oh honey, I think she’s pretty gay. And she’s happy.’”
“I finally feel like I can breathe. I don’t think I can explain how profound that is. I feel like I was wearing a weighted vest for who knows how long. I hadn’t realized how heavy it was until I finally just put it down. 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.”
It’s incredibly liberating to live the life you were truly meant to live. We wish you nothing but the best, Sophia!