Sophia Bush is setting the record straight about her relationship with Ashlyn Harris, and she isn't avoiding the uncomfortable questions.
The 44-year-old One Tree Hill actress opened up about the cheating allegations, divorce drama, and public backlash surrounding her romance with the former U.S. women's national soccer team goalkeeper during the October 21, 2026, episode of the Call Her Daddy podcast.
© WireImageBush, who secretly married Harris in 2025, insisted that their relationship did not overlap with their previous marriages. However, she admitted there is one thing she wishes she had done differently when their romance began.
The actress also discussed the emotional toll of being accused of having an affair, particularly when those allegations involved two former marriages and children.
© GC ImagesHer latest comments come ahead of the October 27 release of her memoir, And I Will Tell You Mine: Notes from a Life in Progress, which explores her personal life, relationships and journey toward self-discovery.
Sophia Bush Denies Having an Affair With Ashlyn Harris
During her conversation with podcast host Alex Cooper, Bush was asked directly whether her relationship with Harris began before their respective marriages ended.
Bush responded by explaining that both women had already taken steps to end their marriages before going on their first date. "Two people who had filed for divorce and lived in separate residences from their exes went to dinner," she said.
© Michael SimonWhen Cooper pressed her about whether there had been any overlap, Bush answered, "I can say that."
Her response was an attempt to settle speculation that has followed the couple since their relationship became public in October 2023. At the time, Bush had recently separated from entrepreneur Grant Hughes, while Harris was going through a divorce from fellow soccer star Ali Krieger.
The timing attracted significant attention, with critics questioning whether the new relationship had begun before the previous marriages were over.
© GettyImagesBush and Harris have consistently denied allegations of infidelity.
Sophia Bush Reveals Her Biggest Regret About Dating Ashlyn Harris
Although Bush maintained that there was no cheating, she acknowledged that the timing of their first date complicated an already difficult situation. The actress explained that she was traveling through New York and had tickets to a comedy show when she decided to ask Harris out.
Looking back, she admitted she wishes they had waited longer before taking that step. "Everybody wishes they could've done a million things differently at the time," Bush said.
© WireImageShe specifically suggested that delaying their first date by six weeks might have made the situation easier to navigate.
However, she emphasized that she cannot rewrite what happened simply to satisfy people who have already formed opinions about her relationship. Bush also said she has reached a point where repeatedly defending herself no longer feels productive. "I'm never going to change anybody's mind who made it up," she explained.
Why Sophia Bush and Ashlyn Harris Faced Cheating Allegations
The controversy began in 2023, when both women experienced highly publicized marital separations. Bush married Hughes in June 2022, but filed for divorce in August 2023 after approximately 13 months of marriage.
Meanwhile, Harris married Krieger in December 2019. The former soccer teammates adopted two children together, daughter Sloane and son Ocean. Harris filed for divorce in September 2023, although news of the separation did not become public until October.
© @ashlynharrisReports linking Harris and Bush romantically surfaced shortly afterward, prompting accusations that their relationship had started while Harris was still married.
Krieger further fueled speculation when she shared an Instagram post referencing her "Beyoncé lemonade era," which many interpreted as an allusion to infidelity.
Her brother Kyle also publicly supported her with a comment referencing disloyalty.
Ashlyn Harris Previously Denied Cheating on Ali Krieger
Harris addressed the allegations in a lengthy Instagram statement in November 2023, after facing widespread criticism over her divorce and new relationship. "Let me be clear: I did not step out on my marriage," Harris wrote. She also insisted, "I was always faithful in my marriage, if not always totally happy."
The former goalkeeper explained that she and Krieger had initially planned to keep their separation private, particularly because Krieger was approaching the end of her professional soccer career.
© Jamie McCarthyAccording to Harris, the unexpected publicity surrounding their divorce created an emotionally difficult situation.
She described the backlash as deeply damaging to her mental health and emphasized that her children remained her priority. Harris also expressed her commitment to maintaining a healthy co-parenting relationship with Krieger despite the end of their marriage.
Sophia Bush Says the Affair Rumors Have Real Consequences
Bush's latest podcast interview also explored the personal and professional consequences of the allegations. She explained that public speculation can become particularly harmful when it affects someone's reputation, employment and ability to support their family.
The actress acknowledged feeling frustrated by the accusations but said she has tried to avoid escalating the conflict. She also emphasized that children are involved, making the situation more sensitive than an ordinary celebrity controversy.
© Getty ImagesBush suggested that she could reveal more information to defend herself but has chosen not to publicly disclose every detail of the circumstances surrounding their previous relationships. Bush also shared new details about how her friendship with Harris developed into a romantic relationship. The actress revealed that the two initially connected through Instagram in 2015 before meeting in person in 2019.
Their friendship continued over the years, eventually becoming more significant as they navigated major personal changes. Bush said asking Harris on a date was far more intimidating than outsiders might imagine. She recalled that Harris directly asked whether she was inviting her on a date, forcing Bush to admit her romantic intentions.
The actress described the experience as nerve-racking and rejected the suggestion that their relationship began through an impulsive affair.
© Getty ImagesBush had previously explored her feelings for Harris in an April 2024 Glamour essay, where she publicly discussed her queer identity and the emotional process that led to her new relationship.
Bush also expressed admiration for Harris's commitment to her children and her determination to rebuild her life after divorce.
Sophia Bush and Ashlyn Harris Secretly Married in 2025
While much of the public discussion has focused on the couple's controversial beginnings, their relationship has since reached a major milestone. Bush and Harris privately married during the summer of 2025, keeping their wedding out of the public eye for more than a year.
Their intimate celebration took place in upstate New York, with Harris's children included in the occasion. The couple publicly confirmed their marriage in September 2026, revealing that they had deliberately chosen to enjoy the milestone privately before sharing the news.
During her latest Call Her Daddy appearance, Bush also disclosed that she was the one who proposed.contcon
