In this week’s DIVA Dating Digest, we see how the American couple evolved from friends to girlfriends
BY SCARLETT COUGHLAN, IMAGE VIA INSTAGRAM (@ASHLYNHARRIS24)
It’s been almost a year since the American actor and former soccer player were first rumoured to be dating. While Sophia was welcomed enthusiastically by the queer community, the pair also sparked controversy as fans speculated whether there was an overlap between the new relationship and the couple’s respective divorces from former partners Grant Hughes and Ali Krieger. Since then, Harris has publicly denied any allegations of cheating, stating via an Instagram postthat she had always remained “faithful” to and “happy” with her former teammate. Despite the rocky start in the media, the women are quickly becoming one of Hollywood’s most-loved sapphic couples, with their complementary ‘80s-style outfits being lauded online as the pair stepped out together at the Prelude to the 2024 Olympic Games in July.
Read on for a timeline of Bush and Harris’ relationship.
August 2019 – The couple meet for the first time
While the pair met for the first time at a Cannes-based conference back in 2019, their relationship was, initially, merely amicable. Though Sophia was unmarried at the time, Ashlyn was then engaged to her soon-to-be wife, Ali Krieger.
October 2023 – Their first date
After filing for divorce from their respective partners (Sophia in August, shortly followed by Ashlyn in September), the couple are said to have evolved their friendship into something more romantic by going on their first dinner date together.
April 2024 – Sophia and Ashlyn confirm their relationship as the former comes out as queer
In a cover story for Glamour, Sophia discussed exploring her sexuality and confirmed that she was in a relationship with the former soccer player. In the same interview, she stated that she had to confront her sexuality before “eventually ask[ing] Ashlyn to have a non-friend-group hang to talk about it”. Then – possibly referring to that first dinner date – added: “That meal was four and a half hours and truly one of the most surreal experiences of my life […] maybe it all had to happen slowly and then all at once.” Bush also stated that she identified as “queer”.
April 2024 – Sophia and Ashlyn appear for the first time as a couple
Only two days after Sophia’s interview with Glamour was published, she and Ashlyn walked the red carpet together for the first time as a couple. For the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner, the pair were photographed wearing coordinating outfits (black with gold detail) by Harbison Studio.
June 2024 – The couple’s first Pride month together
On 1 June, Ashlyn shared a video montage of herself and Sophia galavanting across Europe to Instagram, ending as the overlaying song – “Redbone” by Childish Gambino – touchingly fades out on the word “Pride”.
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