Sophia Bush is opening up about how she made the first move in her relationship with Ashlyn Harris. The 42-year-old actress, known for her role on Chicago P.D., officially came out as queer in April and confirmed that she was dating 38-year-old retired soccer star Ashlyn Harris after months of rumors and speculation.
On the Thursday (July 18) episode of her podcast Work in Progress, Sophia shared the story of how she and Ashlyn started dating. It all began when Sophia learned that some mutual friends were trying to set Ashlyn up with someone else. Not wanting to miss her chance, Sophia decided to take matters into her own hands.
“I was like, ‘If she’s ready to date, she’s going on a date with me,’” Sophia recalled with a laugh. “Like, sorry, uh uh. Like, no f–king way.”
Sophia’s direct approach took Ashlyn by surprise. “She was like, ‘Hold the phone, I always thought you were straight,’” Sophia remembered. “And I was like, ‘I always thought you were happy. But we’re both f–king single, what are we doing?’”
The two shared a good laugh over the unexpected turn of events. “We were f–king cackling because I was like, ‘Yeah, dude, I never looked at you as an option,’ and she was like, ‘I never looked at you as an option.’”
Their relationship began in late 2023, shortly after both had gone through significant breakups. Sophia had recently split from her husband Grant Hughes, while Ashlyn had ended her marriage to fellow soccer player Ali Krieger. The timing was right for both of them, and Sophia’s bold move set the stage for their romance.
Sophia’s revelation about her relationship with Ashlyn has resonated with many fans and listeners of her podcast. Her openness and honesty about her sexuality and love life have been appreciated by those who admire her for both her talent and her authenticity.
With her relationship with Ashlyn now out in the open, Sophia is embracing this new chapter with optimism and excitement. Their love story is a beautiful reminder that it’s never too late to find love and that sometimes the best things in life come when you least expect them.
