{alltv} 'One Tree Hill's' Bethany Joy Galeotti is 'absolutely' staying with the show

Saturday, October 9, 2010

{alltv} 'One Tree Hill's' Bethany Joy Galeotti is 'absolutely' staying with the show

Just like the rest of the fans, we're waiting with bated breath to find out if "One Tree Hill's" final season will be picked up for a full season beyond its initial 13-episode order. Fortunately, we can now ease one of your worries.

Despite rumors to the contrary, Bethany Joy Galeotti will stay with "One Tree Hill" until the final episode, whenever that may be. Though it was reported that Galeotti planned to leave the show to go on maternity leave if the back nine got picked up, the actress assures Zap2it that the rumors are false.

"I'm absolutely staying!" she laughs. "I'll be here until the bitter end, I'm sure. I don't know where that rumor came from, but I'm not going anywhere." The CW confirms that Haley's sticking around.

Things are looking good for the veteran drama, as The CW recently ordered six additional episode scripts beyond the first 13. Everyone involved, including Galeotti and executive producer Mark Schwahn, has agreed that Season 8 will be "One Tree Hill's" final bow, so hopes are high that the network will give the series a full season to say goodbye.

In each episode of "One Tree Hill" this season, a new artist has covered the theme song, Gavin DeGraw's "I Don't Want To Be." With a back-nine pickup would come an additional treat for fans of Galeotti's band, Everly, which is comprised of herself and collaborator Amber Sweeney.

"We've been asked [to do the opening credits], and we plan to," Galeotti confirms. "We were a little busy for this first go-round, but if we get the back nine, we'll be able to do one."

Keep checking back with Zap2it for more dish from our chat with Galeotti. In the meantime, you can catch a taste of her music on this week's "One Tree Hill" and "Life Unexpected" crossover night, on Tuesday starting at 8 p.m. EST on The CW.