Ashlyn Harris is opening up about one of the most scrutinized chapters of her personal life. The former soccer star, who has been dating actress Sophia Bush following her split from ex-wife Ali Krieger, recently addressed the intense public backlash that surrounded the start of their relationship.
Harris reflected on the difficult period while promoting her documentary, “Gamechangers: The Ashlyn Harris Story,” making it clear she tried to navigate the attention with care, especially for the sake of her children.
When romance rumors involving Harris and Bush first surfaced in late 2023, the “One Tree Hill” actress quickly faced criticism online, with some accusing her of being a “homewrecker.” Looking back, Harris said staying intentional during the public storm was incredibly important to her.
“When all of this news was going crazy, it was really important for me to be intentional that I was a good human during a really hard season that became very public,” Harris told Us Weekly.
The retired athlete also explained that protecting her children remained her top priority throughout the divorce and public attention. “I never wanted to speak ill about the mother of my children in front of them, with other friends. It was really important to me,” she added.
Harris Says She Has No Regrets About Marriage To Ali Krieger
Though Harris and Krieger finalized their divorce in January 2025, Harris emphasized that she has no bitterness about the life they built together. “I respect her and I’m proud of what we did. I don’t resent or regret anything about the life that I built with her; it just wasn’t for me,” Harris said.
The former couple, who split in late 2023, share daughter Sloane, 5, and son Ocean, 3. Harris made it clear that respect for Krieger remains a priority. “She’s the mother of my children. I respect her as a mom, I respect her as a player, I respect what she’s done for the game. I don’t ever want to speak poorly about the mother of my children,” she explained.
Ashlyn Harris Says Sophia Bush ‘Feels Like Home’
Despite the public scrutiny surrounding their romance, Harris had nothing but glowing words for Bush. Calling this chapter of her life a “season of love and tenderness and care and companionship,” Harris opened up about what the relationship has meant to her emotionally.
“She is home,” Harris said of Bush. “She is a feeling that I’ve been yearning and longing for for so long. I just feel my shoulders relax. I move differently. I think what people see is two people who have kind of had it really hard and they found each other.”
She added, “It took a long time. We’ve been chasing and trying and doing all of the work.”
Harris Says She’s ‘The Happiest’ She’s Ever Been With Sophia Bush
Harris also did not hold back when discussing just how happy she feels in her relationship with Bush. “As much as I protect that, I also don’t want to silence it,” Harris told Us Weekly of her romance with Bush.
The former athlete went on to paint an intimate picture of their relationship behind closed doors. “When we walk into a room, when we’re in our house, when we’re on the couch, we can’t keep our hands off of each other. I love it, because I just love her with every inch of my being,” Harris shared. “And I don’t have to question that love. I don’t have to ask for that love. I can just be in it.”
“To be still and to be at peace and to feel this happiness. Why wouldn’t I want to share that? I want to explode,” she added. “I think anyone who shares space with us can see that in 30 seconds. It’s not performative. But when you sit in this type of abundance of happiness and joy, I want to scream it on the rooftop.”
Sophia Bush Previously Addressed Relationship Timeline
Bush previously spoke publicly about the relationship in an April 2024 essay for Glamour, where she also came out as “queer.” In the essay, Bush explained that she and Harris first met in 2019 but did not become romantically involved until October 2023, after both of their marriages had already ended.
The actress, who filed for divorce from husband Grant Hughes in August 2023 after 13 months of marriage, also shared that past male partners had long been aware she was attracted to women.