One Tree Hill alum James Lafferty jokes he ‘had to shave in all the right places’ for American Eagle’s ‘thirst trap’ ads

ONE Tree Hill’s James Lafferty stripped down for an American Eagle ad campaign that launched in May.

The 38-year-old actor joked that he needed to maintain a perfect image before posing for racy photos to promote sportswear.

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James posed on a basketball court for the photo shoot and took several action shots.

In one photo, he was sitting on a gym bench with huge weights behind him, as if he was in the middle of a workout.

He sat on the bench and leaned toward the camera.

James was completely shirtless and exposed his toned abs and large arm muscles.

He wore a pair of black American Eagle boxer briefs, which were short and showed off his muscular legs.

James looked completely hairless in the photos, which he revealed was on purpose.

The star said he was initially nervous about the photos and asked photographer Sergio Garcia for advice.

He said to focus on other factors as he was not an experienced model.

“So go to the gym, eat well, shave wherever necessary and hope for the best,” James joked to People.

The photos, widely shared on American Eagle’s social networks, were a hit among its followers.

“Come on Ravens! Catch @jameslafferty and the rest of the One Tree Hill cast playing in the OTH Reunion Basketball game to support @thevfoundation in cancer research,” the post’s caption read.

“You have blessed all of us millennial girls immensely,” one fan wrote in the comments section.

“The guy refuses to age,” added another.

“Thank you, American Eagle,” praised a third.

“Iconic,” simply noted a fourth.

SHOCKED?

James said he didn’t expect the reaction he got.

“I was participating because it felt like the pieces fit together and of course you always hope that whatever you do is well received,” he told the publication.

James joined his former co-stars Bryan Greenberg, Stephen Colletti and Robbie Jones for a charity basketball game in conjunction with the campaign.

It was held in Wilmington, North Carolina, where One Tree Hill was filmed and they hoped to raise awareness for the V Foundation.

The star was unable to log into her social media after the photos were released.

“When I left the game and got back to the hotel, I didn’t have any cell service or WiFi and I messed up the post,” James added.

BIG MISTAKE

In her initial post, the star accidentally posted the same photo three times.

James said his wife of almost two years, Alexandra Park, thought the mistake was funny.

“[It led to] very hilarious phone calls with my wife and my manager,” he said.

“Ultimately, we were glad there was something to laugh about there.”

I was getting roasted a little and it was well deserved

James LaffertyPeople

During filming, James was surrounded by his co-stars.

“I was getting a little irritated and it was well deserved,” admitted James.

“How can you not?” he finished.

Hilarie Burton, who played his on-screen sister-in-law, reposted the photos on her social media.

“What the hell is this thirst trap?!?!?! James!!!!!!! Oh my God. Put a warning on things like this,” she added.

One Tree Hill ran for 187 episodes over nine seasons and ended in April 2012 due to low ratings.

The cast has remained close and often reunites in public.

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