Star makes red carpet debut with new girlfriend

Days after publicly coming out as queer, actress Sophia Bush has stepped out for her first red carpet event with her new girlfriend.

Ashlyn Harris (L) and US actress Sophia Bush. Picture: Drew ANGERER / AFP

Sophia Bush and Ashlyn Harris have officially made their red carpet debut as a couple.

The former One Tree Hill actress, 41, was photographed exchanging a loving glance with the former soccer player as they walked the red carpet for the White House Correspondents’ Dinner together on Saturday, Page Six reported.

The pair also wore big smiles as they hugged for photos.

At one point, Bush leaned in to give her girlfriend a peck on the cheek.

Sophia Bush (right) just made their first red carpet outing as a couple. Picture: AFP

Bush sported a Harbison strapless black gown with gold accents, while Harris, 38, wore a black shimmery tweed blazer and a pair of black trousers from the same brand. They both paired their ensembles with some gold jewellery from Briony Raymond.

Harris completed her look with Saint Laurent shoes and Bush paired hers with Aquazzura heels.

This week, the actress publicly came out as queer in an essay for Glamour Magazine, detailing her budding romance with the retired athlete following her divorce from Grant Hughes.

Bush (right) publicly came out as queer this week. Picture: AFP

Sophia was previously married to Grant Hughes. Picture: Getty

“I don’t know how else to say it other than: I didn’t see it until I saw it,” she wrote. “And I think it’s very easy not to see something that’s been in front of your face for a long time when you’d never looked at it as an option and you had never been looked at as an option.”

“Falling in love with her has sutured some of my own childhood wounds, and made me so much closer to my own mother,” Bush added.

Harris (left) showed her support for her partner after she came out to the world. Picture: AFP

Bush said it has been the “most beautiful thing” watching Harris “survive” and live for her children, Sloane, 3, and Ocean, 1, whom she shares with estranged wife Ali Krieger.

Harris showed her support for Bush on Instagram after the actress publicly came out as queer, writing “Proud of you babe.”

Page Six first confirmed the couple’s dating status in October 2023. They later went public with their relationship when they attended Elton John’s annual Oscars bash together.

Bush was married to Hughes for only one year.

This story originally appeared on Page Six and is republished here with permission.

Originally published as Star makes red carpet debut with new girlfriend