Sophia Bush Shares ‘One Tree Hill’ Audition Struggles in Memoir Excerpt

Brooke Davis is a character that fans of ‘One Tree Hill’ can’t imagine being portrayed by anyone other than Sophia Bush. The cheerleader-turned-fashion-designer was a central figure in the series, which aired for 9 seasons from 2003 to 2012, and Bush’s performance made her one of the standout heroines of teen drama. However, the journey to securing the role was not as straightforward as one might think.

Bush has previously alluded to the challenges she faced during the audition process. At a reunion panel in 2011, she humorously compared her experience to that of Goldilocks, claiming she finally got it right on her third attempt. Now, she dives deeper into this story in her upcoming memoir, ‘And I Will Tell You Mine’, set to release on October 27.

In an exclusive excerpt featured in Variety, Bush recounts how executives initially told her she wasn’t sexy enough for the role of Brooke after her first audition. Following her second audition, the feedback was that she was too sexy. This back-and-forth illustrates the delicate balance that went into creating the show’s most iconic character.

Bush recalls her experience driving to Warner Bros. Studios, where she enjoyed reading for the casting team and making them laugh. Afterward, her manager relayed that while the executives liked her, they were uncertain about her sex appeal and requested another audition.

This feedback is particularly striking for a character known for her confidence, highlighting the precarious situation Bush found herself in.

For her second audition, Bush opted for a punk-rock aesthetic, donning a military miniskirt, sharp gold-heeled stilettos, a low-cut tank top, and smudged eyeliner. However, the producers felt it was too much, specifying they wanted a high school sexy, not a college sexy.

Bush expressed her confusion, questioning why shows have wardrobe departments if not to help define character looks. This inquiry resonates even more considering her later efforts to shape Brooke’s character.

Assistance came unexpectedly from a casting director who helped Bush find the right balance: sexy but not overly so, cute yet not too juvenile. Interestingly, the same casting office was also testing someone for a recast of Haley, who had previously auditioned for Brooke.

Ultimately, Bush secured the role, marking the birth of Brooke Davis.

This audition story is just one chapter in Bush’s complex relationship with ‘One Tree Hill’. She has been candid about her conflicts with the writers over scenes she deemed inappropriate, describing the environment as unhealthy. In 2017, 18 women associated with the show accused creator Mark Schwahn of sexual harassment.

Bush has revisited her experiences with former co-stars Hilarie Burton and Bethany Joy Lenz on their ‘Drama Queens’ podcast, discussing behind-the-scenes moments and the sexualization of Brooke on screen. The memoir is expected to provide further insights.

The book promises an unflinching look at Bush’s life, detailing her bohemian upbringing in Los Angeles and her unexpected transition from journalism student to actress. It also covers her transformative decade on ‘One Tree Hill’, where she fought for her character’s integrity.

Additionally, Bush addresses her experiences with marriage and divorce in the public eye, as well as her time on ‘Chicago P.D.’, where she balanced her on-screen role as a badge-wearing protector with her personal struggles. The publisher also hints at a lighter side, sharing humorous stories about vacations that went awry.

This excerpt arrives at a time when discussions about the treatment of young actresses in Hollywood are increasingly relevant. The contradictory feedback Bush experienced, with no clear standard to meet, is a familiar narrative for many women in the industry. It also emphasizes how much of a character’s identity can be molded before filming even begins.

For fans of ‘One Tree Hill’, this adds a new dimension to a beloved character. Brooke’s confidence, humor, and loyalty were all built on the foundation of someone who had to navigate a challenging audition process. Bush clearly wants her readers to understand the effort she put into this role.

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