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In a candid interview, “One Tree Hill” star Bethany Joy Lenz has broken her silence on swirling rumors of a rift between her and fellow cast member Hilarie Burton. The speculation surrounding their relationship intensified after Burton departed their joint podcast Drama Queens, which also features Sophia Bush, another OTH alum.
Bethany Joy Lonz on feud rumors:
During her appearance on the Call Her Daddy podcast, Lenz, 43, put the rumors to rest, expressing her ongoing admiration for Burton. “I love Hilarie. I always have and always will,” Lenz said. She acknowledged that misunderstandings had arisen between them but remained hopeful that their relationship could be mended. “There have been some bizarre misunderstandings that I really hope we can figure out one day,” Lenz added, emphasizing her desire for resolution.
The former teen stars rose to fame as part of the popular CW series, with Lenz portraying Haley James Scott and Burton playing Peyton Sawyer. However, despite their on-screen camaraderie, rumors of tension surfaced earlier this year when fans noticed that Lenz and Burton were no longer following each other on social media. Burton’s departure from Drama Queens after they finished covering season six only fueled further speculation. However, Burton explained her exit as a natural progression, stating that she had shared all her behind-the-scenes experiences and wanted to make way for fresh perspectives.
Lenz also shed light on her complex relationship with Sophia Bush, revealing that while they portrayed close friends on the show, their real-life dynamic was more challenging. “We’re going through the motions of close friendship but not actually knowing how to connect,” Lenz shared. She attributed part of the difficulty to their differing worldviews, particularly on matters of faith and life philosophy.
While revisiting their OTH years on the podcast has been healing for Lenz, she admitted the journey toward fully resolving past issues is still ongoing. Despite fans’ excitement about a potential revival on Netflix, Lenz hinted that she isn’t ready to reprise her iconic role just yet, stating, “It’s way too early to talk about any of that.”