This Pride month, the “One Tree Hill” actress isn’t honoring the LGBTQ+ community from the sidelines but as its newest member. She marked the annual commemoration on Instagram, sharing profound words that resonated with her newfound happiness.
Sophia Bush’s Pride Month celebrations come a month after she confirmed her relationship with Ashlyn Harris and came out as queer.
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Sophia Bush Is Proud To Be Out Of The Closet
Instagram Stories | Sophia Bush
On her Instagram Story, Bush reposted a Pride Month quote that read, “Pride is important because someone tonight still believes they’re better off dead than being themselves.”
The actress reflected on these powerful words with similar sentiments, imploring fans to find the courage to be themselves as she did. In her words: “You are perfect. No matter how long it might take, you’ll find your people. And they will help you find more of yourself. It’s worth it. You’re worth it.”
Bush followed these inspiring words with a picture that honored her freed self. She posed in a rainbow-colored robe, giving off a radiant and sexy glow with her brunette hair still wet from the shower.
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She captioned the post with a Pride flag and heart hands emoji before showing off her blossoming romance with Harris in the next slide. Bush reposted her lover’s reel depicting their romantic dates and overflowing affection for each other.
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Ashlyn Harris Loves ‘Chasing Sunsets’ With Her Lover
Instagram Stories | Sophia Bush
The video Harris shared started with her walking down the street in an all-black ensemble and repeatedly reaching her hand out to Bush, who filmed in the background.
However, the multiple unsuccessful attempts to hold the actress’s hand cued the transition into their love life.
The scene changed to show the pair smiling brightly and sharing sweet kisses on a bridge overlooking the Eifel Tower. Then, the lovebirds are seen on a pier, watching the sunset in the distance before embracing and engaging in more PDA.
“Chasing sunsets with you is my favorite,” Harris captioned the heartwarming compilation. The post received supportive comments from fans and friends, with Bush showing her appreciation by simply writing: “You.”
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Bush & Harris Sparked Relationship Rumors Amid Their Respective Divorces
A year before confirming their relationship, The Blast reported that Bush and Harris had sparked dating rumors amid separation from their partners.
The actress, who split from her ex-husband Grant Hughes, was spotted spending time with the former soccer player in October 2023. At the time, an insider claimed the speculations were true, saying:
“After being friends for years and running in the same social circles, Sophia and Ashlyn went out on their first dinner date a couple of weeks ago. This is so recent, and they are both beginning new chapters.”
Bush and Hughes announced their separation in August, while Harris ended things with her ex-wife Ali Krieger in September. Although their duo seemingly moved on quickly from their former spouses, the timing wasn’t planned.
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The source stressed that the duo’s love story wasn’t “salacious” as “Ashlyn and Ali’s divorce began months ago, and they have been living apart since the summer.”
Sophia Bush Separated From Her Ex-husband After 13 Months Of Marriage
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As stated, news of Bush and Hughes’ separation came in August 2023, with the actress filing to end their marriage after 13 months. A source close to the former couple confirmed their split in a statement, claiming:
“Sophia and Grant were friends for 10 years and bonded during COVID through their love of community service. They continue to run their nonprofit together and remain good friends.”
The duo’s separation was shocking for many reasons, with Bush giving no hints of trouble in paradise when she celebrated their first wedding anniversary on Instagram. She shared a black-and-white throwback picture from their wedding day alongside a touching message.
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“Today marks 365 days of calling you ‘husband.’ Best decision of my life. It still feels just like this. Ecstatic. Running toward the future, grinning and laughing together. I love you, my favorite. Happy Anniversary,” Bush penned.
The Former Couple Hit A Snag In Their Divorce Proceedings
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In January, The Blast reported that Bush’s separation from Hughes wasn’t going as planned, thanks to a hiccup in their proceedings. The former couple disagreed over the validity of a real estate project in Woodward, Oklahoma.
According to court documents, Hughes planned to use $300,000 from his personal money, which came from transferring valuable stocks, as a down payment to buy “Storage Facilities.”
Hughes would then secure a loan to cover the remaining purchase price, which he undertook to indemnify and relieve his estranged wife from any liabilities linked to the loan.
He would also assume full responsibility for any capital gain taxes resulting from the transfer of appreciated stock. However, Hughes argued that the pair’s “Unity Agreement” wasn’t valid, but Bush insisted it was.