How Sophia Bush and Ashlyn Harris Became the Perfect Teammates

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As a retired goalie, Ashlyn Harris was skilled at safeguarding the net, but lately, she has been more concerned with shielding her tranquility. Despite the media attention surrounding her relationship with Sophia Bush, Harris shared on Danielle Robay’s Question Everything podcast in March that it can be challenging due to the tabloid interest. However, Harris expressed that she is content and incredibly happy, and she now prioritizes protecting her bliss.

But guarding her happiness isn’t effortless, and sometimes things still manage to sneak through. “It takes a lot of effort,” the former soccer star explained. “I am human, so I feel pain, and occasionally things get through, but I just safeguard my overall space. Everything has become compact and deliberate. It’s acceptable to make significant changes in your life if they bring you joy and are suitable for you.

Over the past two years, both Harris (aged 39) and Bush (aged 42) underwent significant transformations, one of which was the conclusion of their respective marriages. In August 2023, the actress from “One Tree Hill” and her entrepreneur spouse, Grant Hughes, parted ways after a brief marriage the previous year. Coincidentally, around the same time, in September 2023, Krieger, the athlete and fellow soccer star who are parents to Sloane (aged 4) and Ocean (aged 2), also ended their four-year union.

I didn’t recognize it until I saw it. It’s easy not to notice something that has been right before your eyes for a long time if you’ve never considered it an option and if no one else had ever considered you as such. What I initially perceived was a friend living a fulfilling life. And now I understand that she thought the same about me.

In a surprising twist, it wasn’t until Bush explicitly asked Harris out that we both recognized there might be something more between us. As I recounted on my podcast ‘Work in Progress’, when my friends were trying to set her up with someone else, I jokingly said, “If she’s ready for a date, she’s going on a date with me, no ifs, ands or buts.” People were taken aback, and even Harris herself said, “Hold the phone, I always thought you were straight.” To which I replied, “I always thought you were happy. But we’re both single. What are we doing?”

Looking back, we were both having a good laugh about it. Later, I told Harris, “You know, I never saw you as an option,” and she agreed, “Neither did I.” It was because we weren’t options to each other.

After our first date—a four-and-a-half hour dinner that ranks among the most surreal experiences of my life—we both decided to explore where this connection might take us.

In the process of adapting to these alterations, they relied on one another, along with other women within their social circle. The actress penned in an essay for Glamour published in April 2024: “I wasn’t anticipating finding love within this support network.” Expressing it differently: I was taken aback to discover love here. Putting it another way, I didn’t recognize it until I saw it. It’s simple not to perceive something that has been before your eyes for a long time if you never considered it as an opportunity and if you were never considered as an option. What I observed was a friend living a prosperous life. And now I understand she thought the same about me.

It wasn’t until Bush invited Harris out on a date that they both recognized there was potential for something more between them. Bush had initially joked about not wanting to let anyone else have a chance with Harris, saying “If she’s ready to date, she’s fking going on a date with me,” but it turned out that they were both single and open to exploring their connection further. This realization came after they shared a long meal together which Bush described as one of the most surreal experiences of her life.

In October 2023, news broke about their relationship, which came as a surprise to many fans following their recent divorces. However, the details of the time, effort, and difficult conversations involved were not widely known.

In a post, Bush explained that great care was taken to respect others’ feelings and processing, despite the rapid pace at which things seemed to be moving in her own life.

Unfortunately, this didn’t stop the rumor mill from churning out unfounded stories, threats, and accusations. Some even claimed that she had left her marriage due to a sudden attraction to women, but as Bush pointed out, her partners have always been aware of her sexuality.

Contrary to speculation, Bush clarified that there was no hasty or secretive end to her marriage.

Instead, she emphasized the importance of self-work, therapy, and vulnerability in her personal growth.

“Though I didn’t feel the need to share every step of my journey publicly, it was indeed a long, thoughtful, and exhaustive process,” Bush said. “It can be painful when one’s deep work is scrutinized by strangers who lack understanding.”

She concluded by reassuring those close to her that they know the truth from the fiction.

Prior to embarking on my relationship with Sophia, I had already been on a personal journey of self-exploration. This journey was about understanding what I required for myself and in a partner.

On the Question Everything podcast, I shared that before this point, I wasn’t aware of my boundaries and what I was willing to compromise on. I believe no one should feel stuck in a situation that doesn’t benefit them. Sometimes, we women may feel as though we’ve dug ourselves into a hole and have to stay there, but I decided I had only one life to live and wanted more.

I was afraid to admit these feelings because I knew it would cause pain to others along the way. However, I chose to make the difficult decision, be brave, and prepare myself for the love I’d always envisioned. And guess what? This extraordinary unicorn found its way into my life. There’s no such thing as coincidence.

 

Prior to her relationship with Bush, Harris embarked on a personal journey of self-exploration, learning what she required for herself and in a partner. On the Question Everything podcast, she stated, “I now understand what I’m willing to compromise on and what I’m not. Before this, I wasn’t there.” She further expressed, “We shouldn’t feel trapped in relationships that don’t benefit us. As women, we often think we’ve created a pit, and we must stay in it and make the best of it. But I thought, ‘I have one life to live. I’m borrowing time.’ I just wanted more.” She admitted, “I was terrified to say that and admit it because I knew it would hurt people. But should I suppress myself and live a life filled with regret, or should I make the tough decision, do the courageous thing, and prepare for the love I’ve always dreamed of? And now, this magical creature has come into my life. There’s no coincidence.

Over the last few months, fans have been privy to glimpses into their relationship as they’ve shared pictures from red carpet events, holidays, Instagram dedications, and interviews.

Harris expressed, “She’s the smartest person I know,” adding that their differences make their relationship exciting and enjoyable. He referred to himself as an unfiltered, unbuttoned athlete with tattoos, while she’s a theater-loving asthmatic. Despite their contrasting personalities, they share empathy, love, generosity, and continually inspire each other for growth. Harris considers himself the luckiest person alive due to her presence in his life.

The sentiment is reciprocated, as Bush gushed about Harris on Instagram for his birthday, saying, “You are the sun, human embodied,” and that he lights up the world and warms everyone he meets. She continued by stating that there’s no one else like him, and everyone who knows him can attest to this truth. The fans are fortunate to witness their bond, and Bush feels especially blessed.

For more photos of the couple, continue reading.

Over the last few months, fans have been privy to glimpses of this pair’s relationship, as they’ve shared snaps from red carpet events, vacations, Instagram dedications, and interviews.

On a podcast, Harris exclaimed, “She’s the smartest person I know, and it’s so attractive because I’m like, ‘You are such a brainiac, and I am such a jock.’ She’s a theater-loving asthmatic. I’m this wild, unfiltered, uninhibited, tattooed athlete. We’re completely different. Yet, we share deep empathy, love, and generosity. She makes me a better person every day. I couldn’t be more fortunate.”

It’s evident that the affection is reciprocated.

For Harris’ birthday in October, Bush wrote on Instagram, “You are the sun, in human form. You illuminate the world and brighten each person you meet. There’s no one else like you, and everyone who knows you can attest to that truth. We’re all so lucky. And I am the most fortunate.”

To view more of their photos, continue reading.

In June 2024, the pair celebrated wrapping up their initial Pride Month together as a couple, with a sweet selfie posted by the soccer player.

At the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, the soccer star shared a selfie with former One Tree Hill cast member and professional basketball player Sue Bird.

In July 2023, the pair attended a watch party in Los Angeles for the FIFA Women’s World Cup. 

The duo was photographed cheering alongside Michelle Akers and Linda Gancitano.

During the visit to Art Basel in December 2023, Michelle Tillou posted this Instagram picture, which was seen by Ashlyn and Sophia.

At the Elton John AIDS Foundation’s 32nd Academy Awards Viewing Party in March 2024, the pair posed alongside Eric McCormack.

The pair also spent time with Stephanie Nguyen and Bobby Berk at the star-studded gathering.

At the White House Correspondents’ Dinner held in April 2024, Ashlyn and Sophia walked their first red-carpet event together.

Following the dinner, the couple cozied up at an after-party at the Swiss ambassador’s residence.

Sophia and Ashlyn enjoyed a romantic trip to Paris in May 2024.

In a warm and inviting image captured during her May 2024 trip to Paris, the actress from Chicago P.D. wrote, “Your happiness suits you beautifully.

Sophia also shared this group pic from their trip to Paris in May 2024.

Without a shadow of a doubt, I simply can’t contain my excitement! Come December 2024, you’ll find me, once more, whispering “Bonjour” to the enchanting city that has captured my heart – the one and only Paris!

At the Elton John AIDS Foundation’s 2025 Academy Awards viewing party, both the athlete and the actress attended to watch the 2025 Oscars together.

The couple enjoyed a trip to the mountains in May 2025.

Swing by to check out the picture Ashlyn and Sophia snapped at the American Ballet Theatre’s Spring Gala back in May 2025!

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2025-06-08 10:17