Actress Sophia Bush is opening up about the abuse she suffered on the set of a high-profile television series, describing it as one of the most traumatic experiences of her life.
During an emotional interview with Monica Lewinsky on her Public Service podcast, the 42-year-old actress revealed that she endured “every kind of abusive” behavior while working alongside a man “old enough to be my father.” Though she did not name the project, Bush made it clear the experience happened after her time on One Tree Hill.
Bush portrayed Erin Lindsay on NBC’s Chicago P.D. from 2014 to 2017. She left the show after its fourth season, citing what she has previously described as a toxic work environment. The latest revelation adds weight to her earlier claims of emotional distress on set.
Actress describes lasting effects of abusive workplace
Bush said the trauma left her physically ill. She often woke up covered in hives, lost hair in clumps, and experienced significant anxiety. She also recalled extreme weight fluctuations and a fear of being touched, all of which she attributed to the pressure and toxicity she endured while filming.
She said she tried to stay strong and maintain professionalism, even when the abuse made her feel powerless. She recounted pushing through each day, telling herself she would not allow her integrity to be diminished by someone else’s behavior.
The star, who has since moved on to other projects like Good Sam, did not name the individual involved but described him as someone significantly older who held power on the set. This dynamic, she noted, made the situation even harder to navigate.
Bush previously criticized toxic TV culture
After her departure from Chicago P.D., Bush publicly criticized the culture on set. She described feeling invisible and said she was emotionally drained by the time she left. In previous interviews, she likened her situation to screaming in the middle of Times Square while nobody stopped to help.
This most recent interview sheds even more light on her past workplace struggles, particularly the severe toll they took on her mental and physical health. Bush’s revelations have sparked renewed conversations in Hollywood about accountability and abuse in television production.
While she has not yet named the show in question, many fans and insiders believe her statements point to her time on Chicago P.D., though the actress has not confirmed it outright.
Bush said the experience left her with ongoing trauma, a burden she still carries to this day. And while she continues to rebuild her sense of safety, she hinted that more may be revealed soon.
Jaja has a degree in journalism and took classes in international law and business communication. Her career spans roles at prominent international media outlets, including International Business Times, Celebeat and Delightful Philippines. As a news editor, Jaja covered a wide range of beats, including legal, business, economy, cryptocurrency, personal finance, gaming, technology, and entertainment.