Actress and activist Sophia Bush opened up about her former marriage to her One Tree Hill co-star, Chad Michael Murray, and it’s definitely stirred up OTH-level drama.
During an interview with Andy Cohen on his “Radio Andy” Sirius XM show on Wednesday, Bush attributed the marriage to being “22 and stupid.” She and Murray were wed in 2005 and split five months later, though they had to continue playing love interests on the show.
“It was not a thing I actually really wanted to do,” Bush said of the marriage.
Cohen asked her why she did it then, and Bush responded, “Because how do you let everybody down … when you have bosses telling you that you’re the only person who gets a person to work on time, and 200 people either get to see their kids at night or they don’t because our days start on time?”
Apparently, everything that happened offset was just as dramatic as OTH itself. “Hilarie [Burton] and I used to laugh and we were like, ‘If we had a behind-the-scenes show, the drama would be so much fucking better than the drama that the writers write,'” Bush said.
However, she’s over discussing the drama. Bush told Cohen, “I get why you ask, but it’s like, people won’t let it go.”
She’s been reluctant to talk about her relationship with Murray before, and everything that’s happened since her interview with Cohen appears to explain why.
On Thursday morning, Murray tweeted about his love for his wife, Sarah Roemer, and kids. The sentimental message could obviously be unrelated to Bush’s comments — but that didn’t seem to be the case with his previous tweet.
Do u know what I do every morning? Wake in my loving family’s embrace, make coffee & breakfast 4 the kiddos with my wife. Read 1-2 chapters in the Bible 2 start the day off right. Then we plan how 2 fill the day with love 4 my family & brethren. It’s so simple yet so fulfilling.
— Chad Michael Murray (@ChadMMurray) June 14, 2018
“Gosh I love cartoons. Entertaining, educational & make great GIF’s,” Murray tweeted, with a GIF of Pinocchio’s nose growing.
Gosh I love cartoons. Entertaining, educational & make great GIF’s pic.twitter.com/CvTUlNGu4Q
— Chad Michael Murray (@ChadMMurray) June 14, 2018
I mean, it’s more of a stretch, but that post could’ve been unrelated, too.
Then, Roemer posted a clearly homemade meme on Instagram that read, “Wait a second…my producers also made me marry Chad Michael Murray!”
It’s safe to say that post was related to what Bush said.
Murray’s rep eventually issued a statement to PEOPLE, calling Bush’s comments “ludicrous.”
“Chad conducts himself in a completely professional manner and would never marry for any reason but love,” the rep said. “Thirteen years since his divorce from Sophia, he has a very happy family life with his wife and children.”
The rep added, “He has completely moved on and doesn’t feel the need to engage in this type of behavior.”
Prior to the social media posts and Murray’s statement, Bush had already addressed the situation, even apologizing for any hurt feelings.
When you’re taking the piss out of yourself – b/c people can’t let the past go & you really wish they would – & gossip rags try to turn it into inappropriate drama rather than self-deprication. Don’t twist people’s words, y’all. If it wasn’t clear, I was making fun of MYSELF.
— Sophia Bush (@SophiaBush) June 13, 2018
And if all the years that have passed haven’t made it WILDLY clear that we’re all grown ups who’ve become the best versions of ourselves, then I just don’t know what to say. And PS, if my teasing MYSELF on the radio today — for my past — hurt anyone’s feelings, I am sorry. https://t.co/K3VkUVP3pk
— Sophia Bush (@SophiaBush) June 13, 2018
On Thursday, she tweeted about the back-and-forth between her and Murray again.
If you DON’T answer the question, you’re “clearly still bothered.” If you DO (barely) answer the question — while making fun of yourself btw — you “obviously can’t let it go.” Gee isn’t it fun being a lady?!
Can y’all be Elsa, and just let the ?s go. I have better shit to do. https://t.co/BpbSoS6f6V
— Sophia Bush (@SophiaBush) June 14, 2018
Gonna go ahead & leave this here in case you missed it in the early morning EST hours.
It would be so lovely to have substantive conversations, which I work my ass off to turn away from typical gossip fodder, be looked at wholly, rather than milled for pull quotes. Not having it pic.twitter.com/yXIKE5LlTg
— Sophia Bush (@SophiaBush) June 14, 2018
And if there’s one thing we should take away from this whole debacle, it’s Bush’s sentiment that yes, she deserves to be asked about her work — not a relationship from more than a decade ago.
— Sophia Bush (@SophiaBush) June 14, 2018