Sophia Bush has spoken candidly about the physical and emotional toll she endured while working on a past television show—an experience that led to severe health problems, including hair loss and anxiety.
In a new episode of Getting Back Together with Monica Lewinsky, the 42-year-old actress shared details about a difficult period in her life that followed her success on One Tree Hill.
Unnamed Series Brought “Ongoing Trauma”
After One Tree Hill, Bush joined another major series—one she described as being on her “bucket list.” However, the opportunity quickly turned into a nightmare. She explained that she faced continuous arguments and emotional abuse from a male colleague who was significantly older than her.
“I was going through an ongoing trauma in the workplace that stemmed from endless arguments with a guy who was old enough to be my father,” she told Lewinsky in the episode, released Tuesday, June 3.
Although Bush did not name the series, she portrayed Erin Lindsay on Chicago P.D., an NBC police drama, from 2014 to 2017.
Health Deteriorated During the Show
Bush said she had the option to leave the show after two years but chose to stay—at first.
“I did what I learned,” she said. “I said, ‘I’m not going to compromise my integrity because of other people’s behavior. I’m going to stay calm. I’m going to come to work and do my job.’ But I couldn’t do it.”
The stress from the toxic work environment soon began to affect her health. Bush described suffering from physical symptoms such as flare-ups of illness, hives, and major weight changes.
Hair Loss and Severe Anxiety Followed
One of the most visible effects of the trauma was hair loss. Bush shared that her hair began falling out due to the strain.
She also experienced intense anxiety and said it changed her personality.
“As an extrovert who loves to be around people, I was plagued by anxiety and could barely leave the house,” she explained. “If someone touched me in public, I would freak out.”
Bush added that she struggled to hold conversations or interact with others. “I couldn’t be looked at anymore, especially in a work environment.”
“Like Going to War Every Day”
The actress said she felt like her body no longer belonged to her. She described going to work each day as feeling like going into battle.
“My body wasn’t mine anymore. I couldn’t control myself anymore,” she said. “It felt like a physical attack.”
Departure Came Before #MeToo Movement
Bush said she finally left the show in April 2017—just months before the #MeToo movement gained national attention.
“By October [2017], I had a call from an executive who apologized for things they had and hadn’t done,” she revealed. “They said, ‘We’re well aware that we just came out of this unscathed.’”
Sophia Bush’s Story Highlights Workplace Abuse in Entertainment
Sophia Bush’s emotional account adds to a growing list of stories from women in Hollywood who have faced toxic work environments. Her willingness to speak out sheds light on the hidden costs of abuse—both physical and emotional.
Though she did not name the person or show involved, her words serve as a powerful reminder of how damaging unchecked behavior can be in the workplace, and how recovery—physical, emotional, and professional—can take years.
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