WILMINGTON – For the first time, Sophia Bush took the stage at a “One Tree Hill” convention to answer questions. The actress spoke about long-simmering rumors of the show’s return, but also took the opportunity to address the current political moment.
Bush was in Wilmington over the weekend as part of EyeCon’s sixth “One Tree Hill” convention.
Before a crowd of over one thousand, Bush – along with fellow “One Tree Hill” actress Ashley Rickards – fielded several questions about Brooke Davis, her character of nine-seasons, and whether she would ever reprise the roll. A question from the audience referenced a rumor that the show would jump ahead in time to capture the lives of younger characters.
Bush laughed, saying, “well, how old would I be, then?” She then told the audience that, “if it was about the younger characters we’d have to wait a while. But, in terms of nostalgia, because we love each other and love to hang out, of course we all would be in.”
However, Bush was honest about the “real world” possibility of such a reunion.
“Logistically, when you think about the sheer number of actors on the show…” Bush said, pointing to the difficulty of arranging a fully reunited cast. “The idea of all of us getting on Google calendar gives me a panic attack.”
A later questioner asked Bush about her inspiration. Bush credited her own mother – who she called “lovely,” in stark contrast to her on-screen mother, Victoria – before turning to figures like Oprah Winfrey and Michelle Obama.
Bush worked with the First Lady on the Let Girls Learn program and was a vocal critic of the President Trump’s recently reported plan to discontinue the program. An internal White House memo that made its way to the press outlined plans to end the program; the White House has since denied it will end the program).
“Working with Michelle Obama on that program was one of the proudest moments of my life,” Bush said. “And when the current president decided to defund her program, I thought, ‘hmmmmm,’ I hope you’re ready for the wrath of women.”
Before the question-and-answer session, organizers asked the crowd to avoid political questions. But Bush herself ventured headlong into the charged political territory. Calling out the recent passage of the AHCA, Bush called on women to “build a community” to “take care of each other” in the face of the current administration.
“Otherwise you might be denied health insurance because you have asthma. I mean, hello, I do. I’m a pre-existing condition,” Bush said. “That’s why I’ve said before it is so important to vote, every time, in every election, to make sure your voice is heard.”
The question-and-answer session returned to calmer waters, but Bush reiterated her call to the audience’s women to “help one another, and be a community.”
“Women should be collaborating, not competing,” Bush said. “There is not finite bucket of success… you don’t have to fight other women for it.”
