New phase of life

Sophia Bush: Can “finally breathe” after coming out

Sophia Bush has now spoken openly about coming out.(Bild: APA/Getty Images via AFP/GETTY IMAGES/Monica Schipper)

For the first time, Sophia Bush has spoken openly about her coming out. The "One Tree Hill" beauty has been in a relationship with a woman since her marriage to Grant Hughes ended.

Just one year after her dream wedding to Grant Hughes, Sophia Bush's marriage broke up last year. A short time later, the 41-year-old hit the headlines with a new relationship. The "One Tree Hill" beauty is now in love with a woman.

"Finally feel like I can breathe"
In an essay for the April issue of "Glamour" magazine, Bush described herself as "queer" for the first time and revealed: "I finally feel like I can breathe."

She couldn't even explain "how profound it is", the actress continued. She feels as if she has been wearing a weight vest that she has finally shed.

Even before and during her marriage, she had always struggled. In addition, all attempts to get pregnant had failed, which had further strained her relationship with her husband. Finally, she went to London for work - an escape, she admitted. There, she fell ill with a virus and even had to be treated in hospital. 

"Had to listen to my body"
"It was clear that my body was screaming and I had to listen. It was difficult for me to understand," Bush now wrote. "My time in London was over. And so was my marriage." However, Bush did not reveal what ultimately caused her marriage to fail.

After the separation, she received support from various women in her life, Bush continued. One of them was ex-national soccer player Ashlyn Harris (38). She is now also Bush's new partner. 

Friendship turned into love
Like Bush, she had gone through a divorce at the time, according to the actress, who also denied the rumors that she was the reason for Harris' marriage break-up. 

Sophia Bush describes herself as "queer".(Bild: APA/Getty Images via AFP/GETTY IMAGES/Frazer Harrison)

"I didn't expect to find love in this network of female supporters," said Bush. "I didn't see it until I saw it. What I saw was a friend with her big, happy life. And now I know she thought the same thing about me."

"Feels pretty good"
She hates the idea that you have to "come out in 2024". "But I'm aware that we're having this conversation in a year where we're seeing the most aggressive attacks on the LGBTQIA+ community in modern history." This is also the reason why she is giving her coming out "the respect and honor it deserves".

She had experienced so much safety, respect and love in the "queer community and has been an ally my whole life", Bush concluded. Therefore, the moment she came out, she "already felt like this was my home".

"I think I've always known that my sexuality exists on the spectrum," Bush confessed. The word that best describes her at the moment is "queer". "I can't say it without smiling. And that feels pretty good."