Sophia Bush Says Sharing Stories of Abuse with “One Tree Hill” Cast Members ‘Became an Outlet for Me’

In a recent interview, actress Sophia Bush reflected on the significant impact of the Me Too movement, particularly in relation to her experiences while working on the television series *One Tree Hill*. Bush, who portrayed the character Brooke Davis over nine seasons, was among 18 women who publicly accused the show’s creator, Mark Schwahn, of sexual harassment in a collective letter released in 2017.

During her appearance on the podcast *Call Her Daddy*, Bush explained that the emergence of the Me Too movement and the revelations surrounding Harvey Weinstein played a crucial role in encouraging former cast and crew members to unite and share their stories of alleged abuse within the *One Tree Hill* set. She emphasised the sense of collaboration required to address such sensitive issues, stating, “It’s a sort of labour you do and you figure out how to do it together.”

Bush recalled a pivotal moment when a tweet invited women to come forward with their experiences involving their boss. The post resonated with Bush and her colleagues, sparking discussions about the varied experiences they had encountered while working on the show. “We all know what happened to us on the sliding scale of what happened to women on our show,” she remarked, recognising the spectrum of experiences among her peers. While she felt her own experiences were less severe, she acknowledged that other women had faced much harsher treatment.

As the dialogue progressed, it became evident that a collective statement was necessary to express their grievances. Bush, who had taken a course in constitutional law out of interest, took on the responsibility of drafting the statement. “It actually became an outlet for me to process the worst things that had happened to me in a way,” she said, highlighting the therapeutic aspect of this undertaking. Through her role, she conducted interviews with each woman, seeking to understand their comfort levels with various language and terminology surrounding their experiences.

The importance of creating an inclusive and protective narrative was paramount for Bush. “Every ounce of love I’ve ever carried for any woman in my whole entire life was like dripping out of that keyboard,” she expressed, indicating the emotional weight of the responsibility she had taken on. By prioritising the voices of her fellow cast and crew members, Bush was determined to ensure that their stories were represented accurately, without exploitation for sensationalist purposes.

Following the public disclosure made by the 18 women from *One Tree Hill*, several others came forward, including 25 women from a different project — *The Royals*, a show that Schwahn was involved with at that time. This collective outpouring of allegations led to Schwahn’s suspension and eventual termination as showrunner from *The Royals*.

Bush reflected on the importance of believing women who come forward with allegations of harassment or abuse. She expressed her frustration at the scepticism that often surrounds such allegations, stating, “Why would we lie about this? Look how many of us there are.” She rejected the notion that female actresses fabricate such stories for personal gain, referencing her own successful career outside of the harassment claims. “I would work for Shonda Rhimes until the day I die,” she asserted, underscoring her integrity and commitment to her craft, which did not require her to engage in any unethical behaviour.

Through her advocacy and willingness to speak out about her experiences, Bush aims to inspire more women to share their stories and challenge a culture that often silences victims of harassment and abuse. Her courageous contributions to the discussion about workplace safety and respect set an example for individuals across the entertainment industry and beyond.

As the conversation around themes of consent and accountability continues to evolve, Bush’s reflections serve as a reminder of the importance of unity among women in combating sexual harassment, fostering an environment where they can feel safe and supported in sharing their narratives.