The Unexpected Love Story: 5 Key Facts About Sophia Bush's Girlfriend, World Cup Champion Ashlyn Harris

The romance between actress Sophia Bush and former World Cup champion Ashlyn Harris has captivated the public, solidifying itself as one of Hollywood’s most talked-about relationships of 2024 and 2025. This love story is not just a celebrity pairing; it’s a powerful narrative of self-discovery, second chances, and public confirmation, following a period of intense personal change for both women.

As of late 2024, the couple has moved past the initial speculation, making their official red-carpet debut and openly discussing their bond. Their relationship is a beacon for the LGBTQ+ community, with Bush confirming her queer identity in a deeply personal essay that shed light on her journey and the profound connection she found with the decorated soccer star. This article dives into the essential details of Ashlyn Harris’s life, their relationship timeline, and the significant impact of their public love.

Ashlyn Harris: Biography, Career Highlights, and Personal Life

Ashlyn Harris is more than just Sophia Bush’s girlfriend; she is a legendary figure in American soccer, known for her fierce competitive spirit, distinctive style, and powerful advocacy.

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Ashlyn Harris Profile & Biography

• Full Name: Ashlyn Michelle Harris
• Date of Birth: October 19, 1985
• Age (as of 2025): 40
• Hometown: Cocoa Beach, Florida, U.S.
• Occupation: Former Professional Soccer Goalkeeper, Activist, Mother
• Height: 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
• Former Spouse: Ali Krieger (m. 2019; div. 2023)
• Children: Two adopted children: Daughter Sloane Phillips and Son Ocean Mae

A Decorated Career on the Pitch

Harris’s professional career is marked by extraordinary success and a legacy of excellence as a goalkeeper.

• USWNT Champion: She was a key member of the United States Women's National Team (USWNT), contributing to their victories in the 2015 and 2019 FIFA Women's World Cups.
• NWSL Star: In the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), Harris played for multiple teams, including the Washington Spirit and NJ/NY Gotham FC, but is most famously associated with the Orlando Pride.
• Goalkeeper of the Year: Her exceptional performance earned her the NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year award in 2016.
• Retirement: Harris officially retired from professional soccer in 2022, after a decade-long career in the NWSL.

Motherhood and Activism

Off the field, Ashlyn Harris is a devoted mother and a vocal activist.

She and her former spouse, fellow USWNT player Ali Krieger, adopted two children: a daughter named Sloane Phillips in 2021 and a son named Ocean Mae in 2023.

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Harris is a passionate advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, consistently using her platform to fight for change and create safe spaces, particularly for trans children.

The Complete Sophia Bush and Ashlyn Harris Relationship Timeline

The relationship between the One Tree Hill star and the soccer legend is a story of friendship evolving into love amidst significant life changes.

The Initial Connection (2019)

The two women first met at a Cannes-based conference in 2019. At the time, their connection was purely amicable, as both were in separate, long-term relationships.

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A Year of Change (2023)

2023 proved to be a pivotal year. Sophia Bush filed for divorce from her husband, businessman Grant Hughes, in August 2023, just 13 months after their wedding.

Separately, Ashlyn Harris filed for divorce from her wife, Ali Krieger, in September 2023.

Following their respective separations, Bush and Harris’s long-standing friendship deepened, with initial dating rumors sparking in October 2023.

Making the First Move

Bush later revealed that she was the one who initiated the romantic step in their relationship. She described how their first date lasted over four hours, confirming a deep, immediate connection.

Sophia Bush’s Journey and Coming Out as Queer

The most significant public moment in their relationship came in April 2024, when Sophia Bush published a deeply personal essay in Glamour magazine.

In the essay, she publicly confirmed her relationship with Ashlyn Harris and, for the first time, came out as queer.

Bush explained that the concept of "queer" resonated with her, as it provided a space for her to define herself outside the rigid boundaries of past labels.

She discussed the immense pressure and pain she felt during her divorce from Grant Hughes, and how the "universe had been conspiring" to bring her and Harris together at the right time.

Her openness was met with widespread support, positioning her as a powerful new voice for LGBTQ+ representation in Hollywood, moving beyond her famous roles as Brooke Davis on One Tree Hill and Detective Erin Lindsay on Chicago P.D.

The Red Carpet Debut and Public Life (2024–2025)

After months of speculation and the official confirmation, the couple began to step out publicly, marking their commitment to each other and to living authentically.

A Statement-Making Debut

Sophia Bush and Ashlyn Harris made their official red-carpet debut at the 2024 White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, D.C.

They attended the prestigious event wearing matching Harbison outfits, a moment that was widely celebrated by fans and the media as a beautiful, powerful display of their love.

A Mother’s Day Tribute

In a touching moment, Sophia Bush celebrated Ashlyn Harris on Mother’s Day 2024, referring to her as a "gift" and publicly acknowledging her role as a mother to Sloane and Ocean.

Harris also shared a photo of Bush with her children at Disneyland, demonstrating the actress’s integration into the family unit.

This public display of affection and family life underscored the seriousness and depth of their relationship, moving past the tabloid drama surrounding their respective divorces.

The Impact of a High-Profile Queer Relationship

The visibility of Sophia Bush and Ashlyn Harris has a significant cultural impact. Their relationship normalizes queer love stories, especially for women who come out later in life or after being in heterosexual marriages.

By sharing their authentic journey, they offer a powerful message of hope and self-acceptance to fans who may be grappling with similar questions about their own identity and love. Their story is a testament to finding genuine happiness and embracing true self, regardless of public scrutiny or past expectations.

The couple continues to use their combined platforms—one in Hollywood, one in professional sports and activism—to champion LGBTQ+ rights, ensuring their love story is not only a personal triumph but a public force for good.