What was Sophia Bush's salary as Brooke Davis on One Tree Hill?

Sophia Bush, the actress who played Brooke Davis on One Tree Hill, revealed that she was only taking home around $3,000 per episode after deducting various fees and expenses.

How did Sophia Bush's salary compare to her male co-stars on One Tree Hill?

Bush disclosed that she was making "under 20 percent of what my male costar was making on the show," highlighting the significant gender pay gap on the set.

Why was Sophia Bush unable to renegotiate her contract on One Tree Hill for several years?

Bush claimed that the producers actively discouraged the cast from asking for raises, telling them the show was "on the verge of getting cancelled" to prevent them from negotiating better deals.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / One Tree Hill Star Sophia Bush Exposes Massive Gender Wage Gap on Set

One Tree Hill Star Sophia Bush Exposes Massive Gender Wage Gap on Set

15 Nov

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Summary

Sophia Bush made only $3,000 per episode as a main character on One Tree Hill
She was paid significantly less than her male co-stars and even her female co-stars
Bush was unable to renegotiate her contract for years due to the show's "on the verge of cancellation" status

One Tree Hill Star Sophia Bush Exposes Massive Gender Wage Gap on Set

In a revealing interview on the Networth and Chill With Your Rich BFF podcast recorded on November 13, 2025, actress Sophia Bush, known for her iconic role as Brooke Davis on the hit TV series One Tree Hill, opened up about the shocking pay disparity she faced during her time on the show.

Bush disclosed that after deducting various fees and expenses, she was only taking home around $3,000 per episode, a shockingly low amount for a main character on a popular television series. To put this in perspective, her co-star Blake Lively was reportedly making $60,000 per episode for her role on Gossip Girl, while the cast of Friends were earning $1 million each by the end of their run.