Sophia Bush Recalls 'Terrifying' Experience of Being Groped by 'One Tree Hill' Creator
The actress claims speaking out about sexual harassment has impacted her career.
Sophia Bush has detailed her experience of being "groped" by "One Tree Hill" creator Mark Schwahn, describing the situation as "isolating and terrifying." Bush, who starred in the teen drama from 2003 to 2012, said she feared being fired if she spoke out about the alleged harassment at the time.
Speaking with The Times, Bush recounted incidents, including being yelled at by Schwahn for objecting to a scene that would have depicted her character as naked. The allegations against Schwahn came to light in 2017 amid the #MeToo movement, when two "One Tree Hill" writers accused him of sexual harassment. Schwahn was subsequently fired from his role as a writer for "The Royals" and has not publicly addressed the accusations.
Bush also shared that speaking out about her experiences has had repercussions for her career. She recalled being advised against discussing instances of sexual assault by another actor during her time on "Chicago P.D." In her memoir, "And I Will Tell You Mine," Bush details the "workplace ongoing trauma" she faced on "Chicago P.D.," describing interactions with a co-star old enough to be her father as "every kind of abusive."
She described the professional abuse as having significant physical and psychological effects, including spontaneous illness, hives, weight fluctuations, hair loss, insomnia, and crippling anxiety. Bush stated that she felt she had to prepare for "war" each day at work and learned to block scenes to avoid being touched. She left "Chicago P.D." months before the #MeToo movement gained momentum.
Following the #MeToo movement, Bush received a call from an executive apologizing for the network's actions and inaction, stating they had "just made it out of that unscathed." Bush noted her ongoing therapy and PTSD diagnosis, expressing that she was "thrilled" they avoided negative press.
Bush has also previously discussed feeling her "One Tree Hill" character was sexualized. She recounted arguments with writers and pushing back against scenes that required her to be in her underwear, expressing concerns about the message being sent to young viewers.