Time and shared history have a way of cementing true sisterhood. Speaking with People, actress Sophia Bush opened up about her enduring relationships with her former One Tree Hill co-stars Hilarie Burton and Bethany Joy Lenz, reflecting on how their two-decade bond has evolved from teen stardom into adult life.
Bush and Lenz starred on the hit teen drama across all nine seasons from 2003 to 2012, while Burton departed the series following Season 6. Decades after stepping off the Wilmington, North Carolina set, Bush emphasizes that the foundation they built remains unshakeable.
“I mean, we’ve all known each other for, now longer than we were alive when we didn’t, and they’re some of the longest relationships of my life. One thing I really value is that no matter what anyone’s going through, we wait for each other,” Bush shared.
Addressing the natural ebb and flow that comes with long-term adult friendships, Bush noted that true commitment means showing up through every chapter:
“I think that’s really important when you have friction or ease, that no matter what, you’re there, whether it’s easy or hard. That’s something I really do appreciate about all of us,” she expressed, extending the sentiment to all the women across the One Tree Hill universe.
“We got a real gift in each other. But it’s not a TV episode gift, it’s a real-life gift, and that comes with real-life stuff. It’s a lot of love that I have and that I know we all do for a long time,” Bush concluded.
Through podcast collaborations, personal milestones, and public advocacy, the women of One Tree Hill continue to prove that the bonds forged during their formative television years remain very real life gifts.
