Before watching tonight’s ‘One Tree Hill, browse our gallery of Haley’s nine-year journey, including new quotes from Bethany Joy Galeotti.
Tutor Girl. Baby Mama. Kelly Clarkson. Yes,
Haley James Scott has gone by many different names during her nine seasons on One Tree Hill — and I’ve loved every one of them. During a recent visit to the show’s North Carolina set, HollywoodLife.com chatted with
Bethany Joy Galeotti about all things Haley, and it got me thinking about just how far she’s come.
“I’m happy with Haley, what she’s been through and where she’s come,” Bethany says of heading into the show’s final season. “What more could [the fans] ask for than to see everybody kind of come back to where they started, back to why everyone fell in love with the show in the first place?”
I couldn’t agree more.
Season 1: Tutor Haley
When I watch season one reruns, I barely even recognize Haley -- and not just because she was frequently hidden under that ridiculous hat. Attached to best friend Lucas (
Chad Michael Murray) at the hip, Haley was shy, insecure, and strangest of all, NOT with Nathan (
James Lafferty). Still, Bethany says there's one thing about Haley that will never change: "She will land in the same place she started -- just a simple girl who enjoys a simple life."
Season 2: Teen Bride Haley
Who knew being married in high school would be so difficult? Oh, right, everyone but Haley and Nathan (
James Lafferty)! The couple spent their first year of wedded bliss fighting to stay together, and it certainly didn't help that Haley's music career -- and "mentor" Chris Keller (
Tyler Hilton) -- kept getting in the way.
Season 3: Determined Haley
With most of her friendships -- and her marriage -- in the pooper at the start of season three, Haley needed to do some major life re-building. She re-connected with Peyton (
Hilarie Burton) by helping her record a cancer benefit CD, she re-connected with Lucas (
Chad Michael Murray) by sharing the secret of his heart condition, and she re-connected with Nathan (
James Lafferty) by taking part in a second wedding. Oh, and she became a cheerleader.
Season 4: 17-And-Pregnant Haley
Haley thought her whole world was going to fall apart when she became pregnant her senior year of high school, but thanks to her strong support system, she managed to keep it all together. She was even able to stay on the cheer squad, which you'd think would seem kind of trashy -- but come on, this is Tree Hill. Pregnant cheerleaders are adorable. And they always end up becoming valedictorian.
Season 5: Hot Teacher Haley
For Haley, growing up meant putting her dreams aside and getting serious about her future. So her music, unfortunately, was put on the back burner as she raised Jamie (Jackson Brundage) and returned to Tree Hill High School to begin her teaching career following the 4+ year jump. Her marriage to Nathan (James Lafferty) also hit a few bumps, first as he struggled to find himself following his accident, and again when slutty Nanny Carrie (Torrey DeVitto) tried to steal him away.
Season 6: Nanny-Slayer Haley
Barring the return of a certain psychotic nanny (Torrey DeVitto), season six was a relatively painless one for Haley -- and the cherry on top was officiating Lucas (Chad Michael Murray) and Peyton's (Hilarie Burton) wedding. Bethany says season six also featured her favorite episode of the series: "I had a blast filming the 40s episode. It was a little corny, but whatever. Favorite episode, that was just great top to bottom."
Season 7: Broken Haley
Everyone is entitled to a breakdown at some point, and Haley's came in season seven. After getting arrested for assaulting the woman who claimed she slept with Nathan (James Lafferty) -- Haley slapped that bitch good, by the way -- she was forced to deal with the death of her mother. But she pulled through, as she always does, and even ended the season with some good news: Baby #2 was on the way!
Season 8: Happy Haley
Season eight found Haley better -- and bigger -- than ever. With the least amount of drama in her life than she's ever had, Haley found the time to focus on what was more important to her: friends and family. Not only did she grow closer to sister Quinn (Shantel VanSanten), but she also welcomed baby Lydia into the fold. Hooray for babies!
We may not know exactly what's in store for Haley in her final season, but we do know it doesn't involve very much Nathan (James Lafferty). And it's dark. Bethany tells us that season nine is "a lot about Haley finding out what her limits are," as she deals with the return of Dan (Paul Johansson) and the general "unraveling" of her life. Should be fun!
OK, let’s talk about Haley: Do you prefer her as a big-city rocker, or a small-town mom? What do you hope to see from her in this final season, and how would you like her character to finish the series? Drop a comment below with your thoughts on Miz James Scott.
–
Andy Swift
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HERE.